Known as the “hippo of the sea”, the halibut native to Alaska’s waters has the distinction of being the largest flatfish in all the world’s oceans. Though smaller varieties exist elsewhere, fishermen in the North Pacific occasionally find impressive specimens over 300 pounds tugging on their lines. Alaska halibut has earned its well-deserved reputation as the world’s premium whitefish and is often referred to as the “steak of seafood”.



Longline gear is the only legal fishing method for Alaska halibut. A quota system stretches the season from mid-March through mid-November. Longline gear consists of baited hooks set every few yards along the sea bed. When harvested, longline hooks are retrieved one at a time. The fishermen can unhook other species of fish and return them alive to the sea, thus longline fishing results in very little bycatch of non-target
species.

Alaska’s halibut fishery has been certified as a sustainable, well-managed fishery by the Marine Stewardship Council.





International Seafoods  of Alaska, Inc.  |  Kodiak, Alaska, USA