It's a personal choice... I personally would turn anything over 75/lb back! As I do fish alot I have no need for the meat. I would just give it away anyway. I don't worry about puting a hook through my hand as I just cut the line! Better for the fish.
However, I am taking my wife’s nephew, his brother, and dad (who have never been halibut or salmon fishing) on an upcoming trip and don’t have the heart to tell them to turn anything legal back! That will be their choice not mine! And, I hope they do catch a 200/lb halibut and a 50/lb spring! Like mentioned before... It is a catch of a life time for most and they should enjoy the excitment of it!
I have never had any fish large or small caught offshore taste bad, have bad texture, or been bad meat. In fact, on the contrary… it has always been very good!
Nice fish... good job and enjoy your catch. I bet it does taste good. Nothing better than fresh hali!
Charlie
FYI... Below is copied from:
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?fid=18
Pacific Halibut
Most Pacific halibut are caught with bottom longlines. This causes little habitat damage and has low accidental catch associated with it. The Pacific halibut fisheries of Alaska, Washington and Oregon are certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Summary
Pacific halibut are bottom-dwelling groundfish that nestle into the sandy seafloor, often seen with only their eyes and mouths uncovered. Primarily found in the coastal North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, they migrate hundreds of miles from shallow coastal waters to the deep, open ocean to spawn in winter. Afterwards, most return, year after year, to their same coastal feeding grounds.
Most Pacific halibut are caught either in Alaska or off the west coast of Canada with bottom longlines, commonly called “skates.” In Alaska, fishing for Pacific halibut is strictly limited to this bottom longlining method. Bottom longlining causes little habitat damage and has low bycatch associated with it. Pacific halibut are also caught using troll lines and bottom trawl nets.
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), comprised of U.S. and Canadian scientists, jointly manages Pacific halibut populations in Alaska and Canada. Each year, the IPHC conducts their own population assessment and reviews independent assessments to set annual catch limits for fishermen. These limits are then allocated among licensed fishing vessels, giving each boat a prescribed percentage of the total catch limit. In both the U.S. and Canada, the allocation process has resulted in creating longer fishing seasons, while keeping the population healthy and abundant. As a result, we recommend Pacific halibut as a best choice.
Pacific Halibut Seafood Watch Report
