APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
Table 11 
Retail Price of Halibut--1960-71 
in Cents per Pound 
Year Retail price 
1960 61.9 
1961 70.9 
1962 79.8 
1963 68.4 
1964 68.0 
1965 81.8 
1966 86.3 
1967 80.1 
1968 Del 
1969 99.9 
1970 98.6 
1971 Wil 
Source: Economic Research Laboratory, National 
Marine Fisheries Service and Bureau of 
Labor Statistics, Department of Labor. 
Fishing fleet 
The International Pacific Halibut Commission requires 
that all vessels over 5 net tons be licensed. The number 
of U.S. regular halibut vessels (licensed vessels that land 
at least 10,000 pounds during the season) has decreased 
from 523 in 1950 to 154 in 1974 (table 12). However, hundreds 
of small vessels (under 5 net tons) have joined the fleet in 
recent years. Over 4,000 vessels of all types now land 
halibut--most in small quantities. We were told that much 
of the halibut fleet consists of old vessels, many of them 
built before 1930. Age, however, is misleading; most vessels 
have undergone extensive rebuilding, are seaworthy, and are 
usually most efficient. Most of the boats being built today 
used for halibut fishing are multipurpose vessels with the 
ability to fish for halibut and other species. 
In the Pacific halibut fishery, the International Pacific 
Halibut Commission prohibits the taking of halibut by nets. 
This is necessary because the mesh size of nets used in the 
commercial trawl fishery, while well suited for use on the 
smaller flounders, cod, and other bottom species, tend to 
catch an unduly large number of small and young halibut. 
These young halibut have not reached their optimum or best 
harvesting size. Therefore, halibut are permitted to be 
taken commercially only with hook and line gear. 
138 
