Common Halibut 



This flounder is more symmetrical than any other of the family 

 on our coast, and, moreover, is coloured on both sides, which 

 is unusual in flounders and indicates that this species is in its 

 movements more like ordinary symmetrical fishes and that it can 

 rest with the body in a vertical position. 



The flesh of the Greenland halibut is said to be exceedingly 

 palatable, it being firm, white and flaky, and less dry and more 

 delicate than that of the common halibut. 



The average weight is 10 to 25 pounds, and the colour is 

 yellowish-brown. 



Common Halibut 



Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Linnaeus) 



The halibut is the only member of the genus, and is found 

 in all northern seas. In the North Atlantic it is found as far 

 south as the Cattegat in Europe, and occasionally the English 

 Channel, while on the American side it has been taken as far 

 south as Montauk Point. Its occurrence south of 40 is unusual. 

 Northward its range extends at least as far as Cumberland Gulf, 

 in latitude 64, and on the coast of Greenland to 71 north. It 

 is abundant also about Iceland and Spitzbergen, in latitude 80. 



The halibut is a fish of the coldest waters. The tempera- 

 ture of the water in which it is taken rarely exceeds 45 Fahr., 

 and it is often as cold as 3^. In the Atlantic it is closely 

 associated with the cod, although usually in somewhat colder 

 water. In the Pacific the halibut ranges from Bering Straits to 

 San Francisco and the Farallones. According to Dr. Bean its 

 centre of abundance is in the Gulf of Alaska, particularly about 

 Kadiak and the Shumagin Islands. A very large and important 

 .halibut bank is found in the mouth of the Straits of Fuca, and 

 others have been developed on the Pacific Coast by the Albatross. 

 The bulk of the halibut now brought to Puget Sound ports 

 comes from off Cape Flattery, and northward into southeast 

 Alaska. Very important gounds are in Dixon Entrance, about 

 Queen Charlotte Island, and along the coast of British Columbia. 



The halibut is one of the very largest of fishes and, of all our 

 species, is equalled in size only by the sword-fish, the tuna, mola, and 

 the tarpon. Captain J. W. Collins says he has never seen examples 



5*3 



