Jurisdictional and administrative limitations affecting management of the halibut fishery

The Canadian‐U.S. Halibut Convention and its Enabling Acts were re‐examined to assess the ability of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) to manage the fishery under the existing terms of reference and to re‐evaluate the need for international management of the halibut resource. National goals such as limited entry and optimum yield have not been incorporated in the terms of the existing Convention and these inconsistencies, as well as administrative deficiencies concerning enforcement and staffing, have limited the effectiveness of IPHC. A revision of the present treaty and associated legislation is recommended and suggestions are made for the restructuring of international arrangements now under study by the federal governments.