BIOLOGY OF THE ATLANTIC HALIBUT, HIPPOGLOSSUS-HIPPOGLOSSUS (L, 1758)

The Atlantic and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus and H. stenolepis, respectively) are two morphologically similar flatfish forms inhabiting the boreal and subarctic waters in their respective oceans. Until recently, there were disagreements as to the taxonomic status of these two forms. More recent studies, however, using genetically determined electrophoretically detectable protein variants to test for genetic differences, have revealed a genetic difference between Atlantic and Pacific halibut of a magnitude that confirms the treatment of the two taxa as separate species. Pleuronectiform flatfishes are thought to have evolved in the Pacific Ocean in the early Tertiary period because of their greater present-day diversity in the Pacific Ocean. This chapter presents an account of the biology, fishery, and potential for aquaculture of the Atlantic species. © 1990 Academic Press Inc.