Halibut

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Flatfish are an order or bony, bottom-dwelling fish. There are more than 400 different species of flatfish, including flounder, sole and halibut. They are known as “side-swimmers” because they typically swim along the ocean floor with either their left or right side facing upward. Many species have both eyes on one side of their head. They are not born that way, one eye will actually migrate during development.

When a halibut is born it has eyes on either side of its head and swims upright, like a trout or salmon. Within a year, one of its eyes moves toward the other side of the head. During the same period of time, the side of the head with the static eye develops dark skin pigment, and the bottom side remains white. Thus, the halibut is camouflaged from above and below.

Halibut live in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and are the largest of the flatfish. Feeding on a diet of practically anything they can swallow, halibut grow to more than eight feet long and can weigh upwards of 800 pounds. Because of their immense size and voracious appetite, they have few natural predators. However, most do not get that big and are slow to develop.

Halibut are one of the most popular and versatile food fish in the world. Their flesh is snow-white and known for its subtle, sweet flavor. Halibut meat contains very few bones and large, firm flakes. Fresh halibut are commonly grilled, broiled or battered and deep-fried. Because they need little seasoning and feature such a dense texture, they do not make good fish for smoking. Halibut have been an important source of food for native North-Americans for more than a thousand years. Over-fishing of Atlantic halibut decreased the population to an alarmingly low level. Virtually all halibut on the market today are of the Pacific variety.

In the North Pacific, commercial halibut fishing has been en vogue for more than a hundred years. Fish are caught using the long-line technique, which features several baited circle hooks along a weighted line on the ocean floor. It continues to be a lucrative, large-scale business because of management by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Pacific Halibut inhabit waters that belong to the United States, Canada, Russia and even Japan, where they are known as Hirame. Hence, proper management is necessary, not only to maintain a healthy fish population, but to uphold amicable international relations. Halibut do not reproduce until they are around eight years old. By age eight an average fish will be a little more than 30 inches in length. International restrictions prohibit the capture of fish shorter than 30 inches.

Halibut are also a popular sport fish throughout the North Pacific. Fishermen must use enormous rods and reels equipped with heavy duty line to haul these monsters in. Because of their incredible strength, it is common practice to shoot or bludgeon a large halibut before it is brought on deck. Sport fishing is an important part of Alaska and British Columbia’s summertime economy. Unfortunately, tourists reel in a significant number of halibut, many of which are less than 30 inches in length. American and Canadian government agencies have recently been considering a moratorium on halibut sport fishing.

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