Halibut are flatfish and
flatfish undergo some interesting physical mutations during the course
of their lives. With bodies orientated "normally" at birth, they soon
roll onto one side, turning half their bodies to the ocean floor. The
eye on the downturned side then gradually migrates around to the top
of the head and the cranium becomes twisted.
As with all flatfish, the body of the Pacific halibut is strongly
compressed, diamond shaped and highly asymmetrical. The upper or eye
side is blackish, dark brown or grey with paler markings and the
blind side is normally white. Pacific halibut females grow considerably
faster than males, maturing at 12 years of age with a life span of at
least 15 years. A large female can produce over 4 million eggs annually.
They spawn in the wintertime, and the Pacific halibut will migrate
over 1,600 km to produce its eggs. Pacific halibut feed on crab, clams,
squid and fish. They are commonly caught on longline or Danish seines.
Fisher Seafood
International Pacific Halibut Commission
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Fish BC
Alaska Science Center
Saveurs du Monde
