The Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS)

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) provides catch information and biological data on Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) that are independent of the fishery. These data, collected using standardized methods, bait, and gear during the summer of each year, provide an important comparison with data collected from the directed fishery. The FISS is restricted to the summer months, but encompasses nearly all of the commercial fishing grounds in the Pacific halibut fishery. In addition, the commercial (directed) fishery is more variable in its gear composition and distribution of fishing effort over time and spatial range. Biological data collected on the FISS (e.g. the length, age, and sex composition of Pacific halibut) are used to monitor changes in biomass, growth, and mortality of the Pacific halibut population. In addition, records of non-target species caught during FISS operations provide insight into bait competition, and serve as an index of abundance over time, making them valuable to the potential management and avoidance of non-target species.

IPHC’s FISS is one of the most extensive fishery-independent surveys in the world. Each green dot in the image above represents one of the over 1,200 standard stations surveyed each year. The standard design encompasses nearshore and offshore waters of from southern California to the northern Bering Sea. FISS stations are located at the intersections of a 10 x 10 nmi square grid within the depth range occupied by Pacific halibut during summer months (~37-503 m [20-275 fm] in most areas).

For a detailed description of the FISS design as implemented for the previous year visit the Design and Implementation page.

Commercial fishers target areas where fish are abundant, meaning that in commercial fisheries data, increasing stock trends are amplified while decreasing stock trends are muted. IPHC’s fishery-independent setline survey is not influenced by commercial fisher behavior and provides a better year-over-year comparison of population trends. IPHC’s FISS collects catch rate information, as well as biological samples from individual fish, including sex, length, age, maturity, and the presence of prior hooking injury. Data from the survey is a primary source of population trend information, and is supplemented with commercial data for the stock assessment analysis.

Each year, IPHC’s FISS data provide IPHC stock assessors the ability to quantify survey weight-per-unit-effort (WPUE), survey age distributions, survey weight-at-age, and spawning output-at-age. These data points are then utilized in the stock assessment of Pacific halibut to report on the status of the Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) resource in the IPHC’s Convention Area.

A secondary benefit of IPHC’s FISS results from the fact that the vessels and skippers that are hired to conduct the FISS are Pacific halibut harvesters.

The IPHC has conducted fishery-independent setline surveys in selected areas during most years since 1963 (with a break from 1987-1992). Historical information regarding previous FISS design and operations has been presented in IPHC Technical Reports and FISS Sampling Manuals:

• IPHC Fishery-Independent Setline Survey Sampling Manual (2023)
• Technical Report 18 - Halibut assessment data: Setline surveys in the north Pacific Ocean, 1963-1966 and 1976-1979; and
• Technical Report 58 - IPHC setline charters 1963 through 2003.

Collaborations with external researchers

The IPHC’s FISS is also an at-sea research platform creating a valuable opportunity to collaborate with external researchers. Each year, the FISS considers special project proposals from other management agencies as well as students. For more on collaborations, visit External Collaborations.

Some of the types of external collaborations from our survey vessel platform are:

• Environmental contaminant sampling of Pacific halibut
• Pacific Cod sampling
• Rockfish sampling
• Sixgill shark sampling
• Spiny dogfish sampling
• Pacific sleeper shark sampling
• Marine mammals and seabirds
• Oceanographic data
• Electronic monitoring efficacy test
• Skate age and maturity sampling
• Eastern Bering Sea coral identification
• Octopus sampling

FISS data access

To explore and download IPHC’s FISS Pacific halibut data, visit FISS Interactive map and the FISS Data Query tool.

Oceanographic data from the survey is available via collaboration with the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) at the University of Washington and NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. Datasets are available here: http://www.ecofoci.noaa.gov/projects/IPHC/efoci_IPHCData.shtml

Opportunities: Employment, Contracts, and Fish buying

For current open opportunities, click here.

Setline Survey Specialists

The IPHC typically employs 25-30 seasonal field staff, also known as “setline survey specialists.” Generally, two setline survey specialists are deployed on each FISS vessel. One shipboard setline survey specialist works on deck, handling fish and collecting the required data and biological samples. The other setline survey specialist works in a portable shelter, recording data and observations and storing samples collected by the deck setline survey specialist. If you are interested in applying to become a future setline survey specialist, visit Working as a Setline Survey Specialist.

Vessel Owners

The IPHC is always seeking commercial Pacific halibut fishing vessels to conduct our annual FISS. Vessels need not be licensed for Pacific halibut fishing in Canada or the U.S.A. to be eligible. The IPHC is not restricted as to nationality of the vessels it charters for operation in any region as long as customs and immigration regulations are followed. The IPHC will consider only those vessels with captains and crews that have recent (within 5 years) Pacific halibut fishing experience. Most areas require vessels that have adequate deck space and suitable accommodations for two to three IPHC employees. For detailed information on submitting bids for the IPHC’s FISS work, visit Survey Vessel Recruiting.

Licensed Pacific Halibut Buyers and Dealers

Pacific halibut sampled on FISS trips are sold at the end of each trip and proceeds are used to offset the cost of conducting the FISS. To be alerted to upcoming fish-buying opportunities, please complete the Interested Buyer’s Form.