Halibut with Champagne butter sauce and Charlotte potatoes.
FOOD NEWS
What Is Halibut And Why Is It So Expensive?
By Christina Garcia
Both Pacific and Atlantic halibut are huge fish, weighing up to 500 pounds in the case of the Pacific species, and a few hundred pounds more in the case of the Atlantic species.

Hand sprinkling salt on a large halibut

Hand sprinkling salt on a large halibut

Fisherman holding up huge halibut on a boat
Halibut live up to 50 years (Atlantic) or more (Pacific) and take about 10 years to reach maturity. This slow timeline, along with fishing limits, affects availability and price.
Raw halibut on a plate.
Once widely commercially fished, Atlantic halibut is no longer allowed to be harvested except by small fisheries in Maine, leading to higher demand and elevated prices.
Freshly caught halibut.
Kyle Molton, Fishery Management Specialist with NOAA Fisheries, explains that "vessels are allowed to keep one halibut per trip that is 41 inches or larger per fishing trip."
Tourists and halibut catch.
Atlantic halibut is considered overfished, and though stock numbers are not "at risk," the species is "in a rebuilding plan" with a target date of 2055 for complete rebuilding.
Grilled halibut with spinach.
While Pacific halibut are not overfished and are often fished for food and sport, their size fluctuates. This is both in population and in actual size.
Cooked halibut dish with veggies
With large fish promising multiple filets, plus changes in size due to various factors and fishing restrictions meant to ensure the species' survival, it's no wonder prices are up.