IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
In a recent letter (of which I only have a PDF copy - anyone that can enlighten me on how to post??) Fisheries Minister Gail Shea responds to the SFAB regarding the halibut situation.
In its' contents:
- The Fisheries Minister formally rejects the consensus proposal for a compensated transfer of halibut allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors put forward last year by the two harvest sectors, First Nations and the Province of BC. It says that since the proposal “poses difficult financial and legal risks for the department</u>” “the existing allocation framework will remain with an 88:12 sharing arrangement and provisions for agreed adjustments.”
- No explanation for "“provisions for agreed adjustments.” While this may be taken to mean that the Recreational Sector can continue to lease quota from the commercial sector, the only source of revenue to accomplish that will soon be exhausted and is unlikely to provide enough halibut to allow a full recreational season, even with a continuation of restrictions similar to those imposed last year.
- Government has decided that the private property rights it has given commercial quota holders take precedence over recreational access, even though each pound of recreationally caught halibut brings far more social and economic value to the coastal economy.
- The letter concludes by asking the SFAB to “renew our efforts toward finding an acceptable approach”. But they have closed the door to any further discussion regarding adjustment of the current quota "sharing".
- The letter makes clear that the department has abandoned any hope of finding a long term solution to the current allocation dilemma. The Minister is either unable or unwilling to exercise what we are told repeatedly is her absolute discretion with respect to allocation.
So there it is. No long term solution, status quo rules the day (no real surprise I guess). Given the Department's complete lack of willingness last season to procure additional quota at cost (as laid out by Formal Agreement), this cannot spell anything but bad news for those who like to sportfish for halibut.
As noted above, I would welcome any advice as to just how to post the pdf letter. In the interim, any that request a copy of that is free to Email me.
Nog
In its' contents:
- The Fisheries Minister formally rejects the consensus proposal for a compensated transfer of halibut allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors put forward last year by the two harvest sectors, First Nations and the Province of BC. It says that since the proposal “poses difficult financial and legal risks for the department</u>” “the existing allocation framework will remain with an 88:12 sharing arrangement and provisions for agreed adjustments.”
- No explanation for "“provisions for agreed adjustments.” While this may be taken to mean that the Recreational Sector can continue to lease quota from the commercial sector, the only source of revenue to accomplish that will soon be exhausted and is unlikely to provide enough halibut to allow a full recreational season, even with a continuation of restrictions similar to those imposed last year.
- Government has decided that the private property rights it has given commercial quota holders take precedence over recreational access, even though each pound of recreationally caught halibut brings far more social and economic value to the coastal economy.
- The letter concludes by asking the SFAB to “renew our efforts toward finding an acceptable approach”. But they have closed the door to any further discussion regarding adjustment of the current quota "sharing".
- The letter makes clear that the department has abandoned any hope of finding a long term solution to the current allocation dilemma. The Minister is either unable or unwilling to exercise what we are told repeatedly is her absolute discretion with respect to allocation.
So there it is. No long term solution, status quo rules the day (no real surprise I guess). Given the Department's complete lack of willingness last season to procure additional quota at cost (as laid out by Formal Agreement), this cannot spell anything but bad news for those who like to sportfish for halibut.
As noted above, I would welcome any advice as to just how to post the pdf letter. In the interim, any that request a copy of that is free to Email me.
Nog
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