WHERE DO THEY CATCH HALIBUT?

Halibut is one of the largest and most important of the flatfishes. The most important fishing grounds in North America are the waters from Puget Sound to Alaska, the Grand Banks off Newfoundland and the waters of Greenland.

Halibut can be found in all northern seas. They are among the

largest of the worlds true fishes. Some of the fish weigh as much as 400 pounds.

Halibut are caught with strong hooks tied a short distance apart on long lines. The hooks are baited and then dropped to the ocean bottom.

A cold water fish, the halibut belongs to the flounder group and has the characteristic flat body, with both eyes on the same side of the head. Its eyes lie on the right side, which is dark brown. The left side is white.

The name of the fish comes from the word "holy" and refers to the fact that the halibut was once widely used as food on Christian holy days.

Halibut has a flesh that is mild and pleasant in flavor. The landings of halibut in United States ports total about 25 million pounds each year.