lautnusantara.com The Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is the world's largest flatfish, making it one of the most iconic and prized fish species in the North Pacific Ocean. It is renowned for its flat shape, impressive size, and premium-quality meat.

1. Flat and Large: Halibut's Distinctive Features
Halibut are members of the order Pleuronectiformes (flatfish), but possess several unique characteristics:

• Body Shape and Eyes: Halibut are born like most fish (with one eye on each side). However, as juveniles, one eye (usually the left) migrates to the right side, leaving both eyes on one side. They then swim sideways, with the dark right side facing up (for camouflage) and the white left side facing down.
• Giant Flatfish: Pacific halibut are the largest of all flatfish. Females can grow to over 2.5 meters (8 feet) in length and weigh up to 225 kg (500 pounds), with some even reportedly reaching over 360 kg! This enormous size has earned the halibut the nickname "barn doors."
• Habitat: They live in cold, deep demersal waters, stretching from Baja California to the Bering Sea and Japan.

2. Prized for the Dinner Table
Halibut is highly prized as a food fish worldwide for several reasons:

• Premium Meat: Halibut has tender, firm, and lean white meat. Its flavor is mild, slightly sweet, and non-fishy, ​​making it a perfect canvas for a variety of seasonings and cooking methods.
• Versatile: Its firm meat lends itself to a variety of cooking methods, such as grilling, pan-searing, steaming, and even raw as sushi or sashimi (if quality is up to standard).
• Nutrition: This fish is an excellent source of high-quality protein and is rich in essential nutrients such as selenium, phosphorus, niacin, and vitamin B12.
• Special Delicacy: Halibut's round, uniquely textured "cheeks" are often considered a special and delicious seafood.

3. Management and Conservation
Because of its high value, Pacific halibut has been a target for commercial and recreational fishing for over a century. However, its management is considered one of the success stories of sustainable fisheries in North America:

• IPHC: The Pacific halibut fishery is jointly managed by the United States and Canada through the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). This commission conducts research and sets limits on the total sustainable catch each year.
• Quota System: The introduction of the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) System in the US in 1995 has helped extend the fishing season, improve fisherman safety, and ensure a steady supply of fresh halibut to the market, while helping prevent overfishing.
• Conservation Status: Due to strict management, Pacific Halibut is generally considered a well-managed and sustainably available species, although Atlantic Halibut species face greater threats.

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