Halibut season length - any rumblings?
- Thread starter GDW
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Deewar25
Well-Known Member
the quota program may still be a fail - I had heard at least 2 of the lodges didn't have a single pound bought, so if that is commonplace and its just being returned end of season (I gather thats what happens? Something like that), then its still a failure right?
SerengetiGuide
Well-Known Member
You think DFO will approach it as a failure? Let's look back...learn from the past. Over the past few years it has been available (first year was "experiment"), very few have used it, yet it's still going (DFO also tried to put a spin on when many of us put in angry messages through the application system, saying they had xx applications)...and we all know the numbers will have went up from last year for pounds bought and even used. So how is DFO going to view the program Deewar?
If you think we are going to get a higher % after DFO views this year's program as a success, you are sadly mistaken imo.
NautiGirl
Well-Known Member
Personally, I am happy that I can continue fishing for halibut. The size limit is reasonable to me, as long as any enforcement allows for some margin of error in the measurement as any fisherman is not getting an exact measurement before that gaff flies. As there is little to no enforcement on the coast anyway, it comes down to changing the rec fishermens behaviour across the board to let the really big breeders go for the good of the fishery in the long term.
I know people get fired up about the commies getting the big ones after we let them go, but if someone doesn't take the high road, the population will go down faster that we would wish. Catch and release works in freshwater. I am sure it will show some positive results in the salt on halibut, given some time.
I know people get fired up about the commies getting the big ones after we let them go, but if someone doesn't take the high road, the population will go down faster that we would wish. Catch and release works in freshwater. I am sure it will show some positive results in the salt on halibut, given some time.
The 126cm rule is NOT a DFO brought in restriction....it was our sector trying something new to work with existing quota and to slow down the poundage taken so the season would run longer. (it can and will change anytime it can be proven it is not required) That was what the majority that sat at the tables wanted and the direction the SFAB went with. If you think there is a better way to go for 2014 then get out and be heard...simple. Remember what ever you present as a plan has to have data behind it and a fairly reasonable chance of being successful before it would be considered. You can't just present your personal wish list.
Derby
Crew Member
The 126cm rule is NOT a DFO brought in restriction....it was our sector trying something new to work with existing quota and to slow down the poundage taken so the season would run longer. (it can and will change anytime it can be proven it is not required) That was what the majority that sat at the tables wanted and the direction the SFAB went with. If you think there is a better way to go for 2014 then get out and be heard...simple. Remember what ever you present as a plan has to have data behind it and a fairly reasonable chance of being successful before it would be considered. You can't just present your personal wish list.[/QUOTE
Well said...
I have NEVER had a customer say to me I'm not booking a halibut trip because I can't keep a halibut over 60 pounds. Most say the same thing....what the hell would I do with a 150 pound halibut? About the same as you or I going to Mexico and landing a 300 pound marlin....what are you going to do with it? I'll bet over the years that much of the halibut meat from large halibut that has left this province ended up being thrown out from being in the freezer to long.
Cuba Libre
Well-Known Member
Make sure you remind your SFAB members that a motion was passed last year to reexamine ALL options, INCLUDING ONES THAT WERE REJECTED LAST YEAR, to see what could result in a more liberal bag and/or size limit for 2014. Of course a lot will depend on the TAC that Canada is allotted this coming year from the IPHC. But we have to keep reminding our reps that if we just accept last years experiment-- nothing will ever change.
Deewar25
Well-Known Member
well, the voodoo #'s are out, but they are at least still giving us to EOY 530k in 4 1/2 months and 277k in 1 month (in a month where much of Victoria/Sooke don't even target them?) Sounds like hocus pokus, but I guess to EOY is good at least.
edit: well, it is on par with the month 'ratios' of past year at the reduced scale, so at least its consistant voodoo)...
Subject: FN0919-RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish (Other than Salmon) - Halibut - 2013 Recreational Fishery Update - September 20, 2013
The DFO and Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) Halibut Committee meets monthly
throughout the season to review estimated catches. At the most recent meeting,
it was determined that the recreational fishery harvest to August 31, 2013 is
approx. 807,000 pounds of the recreational fishery’s Total Allowable Catch of
1,080,450 pounds. This leaves a balance of approximately 273,000 pounds. As a
result, recreational fishing for halibut will continue through to December 31,
2013 under the current fishing regulations. The current size and numbers of
fish cannot be changed in-season as they are authorized for the entire year as
Conditions of the 2013-2014 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.
DFO will review the 2013 fishery (catches and management measures) and will
consult through the SFAB consultation process this fall/winter to consider
management options for 2014. Management measures will be announced in the early
spring.
edit: well, it is on par with the month 'ratios' of past year at the reduced scale, so at least its consistant voodoo)...
Subject: FN0919-RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish (Other than Salmon) - Halibut - 2013 Recreational Fishery Update - September 20, 2013
The DFO and Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) Halibut Committee meets monthly
throughout the season to review estimated catches. At the most recent meeting,
it was determined that the recreational fishery harvest to August 31, 2013 is
approx. 807,000 pounds of the recreational fishery’s Total Allowable Catch of
1,080,450 pounds. This leaves a balance of approximately 273,000 pounds. As a
result, recreational fishing for halibut will continue through to December 31,
2013 under the current fishing regulations. The current size and numbers of
fish cannot be changed in-season as they are authorized for the entire year as
Conditions of the 2013-2014 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.
DFO will review the 2013 fishery (catches and management measures) and will
consult through the SFAB consultation process this fall/winter to consider
management options for 2014. Management measures will be announced in the early
spring.
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SerengetiGuide
Well-Known Member
That's funny...just today was talking to a potential client and he said keeping a big halibut is important to him. Crazy to me how many people are a-ok and willing to cave for 2014...exactly why DFO has their way with our sector.
Jencourt
Well-Known Member
I have said it from the beginning. I am Not sure the trade off is worth the reward??? Could make it hard to move forward in the fight against the current quota system and allocation if we keep "making it work with what we have". Complacency has and always will work against us and complacency is what comes from keeping our efforts on short term solutions and conceding to what ever restrictions are deemed necessary to make the best out of the bad. I am not arguing that it was a success based on the desire to extend the season. Just pointing out that this dose not fix anything and may have even made the road forward a little harder now.
Also not sure too many of the "own boat" non guided folks that come once a year in the summer months are as happy as the few locals are? They will not be here to top up there freezers or sell a couple more shoulder season trips.
From my experience and conversations this year, I have learned that LOTS of folks that came from off island on their once a year "do it yourself trip "got burned by this slot.
My family got stung on both ends of it. My nephew went home with 1 84.5 cm (edit this may have been 86cm actually as I believe it was about 20lbs) fish after two days of fishing. he released a fish that was about 75 lbs (estimate ) because it was over so he kept the next one( mentioned above) . The second day we could only find fish that where over 83cm so he let them go as he had his 1 over ( all be it not by much) in cooler already. Not everyone books a guide that has the expertise to get them on spots that will consistently produce fish that will conform to what they require. Also to note that those that fish often can say "I only had to release one over sized fish this year so Not Bad" Now ask yourself if that was the only fish you caught and was on the one and only trip you get each year or two, would you still say "Not Bad"
Case in point.
Not so bad for me as I live here and was able to make one more trip and get one more fish so I now have enough halibut that we can eat it once every couple of weeks. Heck if I can swing it and weather permits I may go try for one more this fall. My nephew on the other hand, like the many others saved all year forhis one trip and was forced to let go far more than he kept so a few locals can enjoy the benefits I listed above.
So. At the end of the day the people working on our behalf asked us and as many folks as they could what we all considered the main objective in shaping our 2013 season should be. That answer in vast majority was to try to make the season as long as possible. They did just that.They did so in a way that (after much consideration by folks with a lot more knowlage in this than most of us) would have the most chance of succeeding and the least chance of segregating one portion of our user group. I never argued that point and do not now. I did and continue to question the value in achieving this goal at the cost it took.
Here is hoping that we do in fact re-examine all options and try to find a better way. More important than that!!! Here is hoping that we find ways to put more effort toward solving the problem rather than finding ways to cover the wound for yet another single season.
All this said and putting aside the fact that I do not always agree with the decisions made I am still very thankful for the hard work and endless hours of time our SFAB and other groups dedicate to helping sport fishing. I fear we would be in a much darker place having not had them in our corner all these years.
Also not sure too many of the "own boat" non guided folks that come once a year in the summer months are as happy as the few locals are? They will not be here to top up there freezers or sell a couple more shoulder season trips.
From my experience and conversations this year, I have learned that LOTS of folks that came from off island on their once a year "do it yourself trip "got burned by this slot.
My family got stung on both ends of it. My nephew went home with 1 84.5 cm (edit this may have been 86cm actually as I believe it was about 20lbs) fish after two days of fishing. he released a fish that was about 75 lbs (estimate ) because it was over so he kept the next one( mentioned above) . The second day we could only find fish that where over 83cm so he let them go as he had his 1 over ( all be it not by much) in cooler already. Not everyone books a guide that has the expertise to get them on spots that will consistently produce fish that will conform to what they require. Also to note that those that fish often can say "I only had to release one over sized fish this year so Not Bad" Now ask yourself if that was the only fish you caught and was on the one and only trip you get each year or two, would you still say "Not Bad"
Case in point.
Not so bad for me as I live here and was able to make one more trip and get one more fish so I now have enough halibut that we can eat it once every couple of weeks. Heck if I can swing it and weather permits I may go try for one more this fall. My nephew on the other hand, like the many others saved all year forhis one trip and was forced to let go far more than he kept so a few locals can enjoy the benefits I listed above.
So. At the end of the day the people working on our behalf asked us and as many folks as they could what we all considered the main objective in shaping our 2013 season should be. That answer in vast majority was to try to make the season as long as possible. They did just that.They did so in a way that (after much consideration by folks with a lot more knowlage in this than most of us) would have the most chance of succeeding and the least chance of segregating one portion of our user group. I never argued that point and do not now. I did and continue to question the value in achieving this goal at the cost it took.
Here is hoping that we do in fact re-examine all options and try to find a better way. More important than that!!! Here is hoping that we find ways to put more effort toward solving the problem rather than finding ways to cover the wound for yet another single season.
All this said and putting aside the fact that I do not always agree with the decisions made I am still very thankful for the hard work and endless hours of time our SFAB and other groups dedicate to helping sport fishing. I fear we would be in a much darker place having not had them in our corner all these years.
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bigbruce
Crew Member
You raise an interesting point, Jencourt. I would suggest that the 126cm limit coupled with the 6 fish maximum should have eliminated the need to have the over/under 83cm rule. My suggestion would be to allow one a day, two in possession, 6 in all, maximum size 126 cm. Forget about the one over/one under 83 cm.
SerengetiGuide
Well-Known Member
Good pt bigbruce. From my conversations it seems most I've talked to rather be able to take one big one and are 100% ok with having a chicken as 2nd. Just my observation from talking to many.
Serengeti...willing to cave for 2014? Do you have a magic ball that is giving you info about our TAC for next year, that the rest of us have to wait for before we spout off? BTW I'm not against fishing for larger halibut but just stating a personal observation about my clients over 27 years. If anyone complained about only catching a 60 pound (and not bigger) halibut while on a charter with me I would tell them to go hire someone else the next time. (regardless of the regulations either way)
Bigbruce...that is the personal wish list I mentioned earlier...where is the data you have that the board didn't see when determining that wouldn't keep us under our quota? That option was considered but the numbers didn't work.
Bigbruce...that is the personal wish list I mentioned earlier...where is the data you have that the board didn't see when determining that wouldn't keep us under our quota? That option was considered but the numbers didn't work.
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Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
serengeti - a lot of the tac in previous years was used up port hard and winter harbour guides/lodges chasing big fish. I'm not against taking a big fish but I really couldn't give a rats butt if a tourist doesn't get to bonk a huge fish and take it home to rot.
Good post jencourt. I completely agree however my uncle from Alberta made his one trip every 5 years out to victoria in February. Strange time to come I know but a lot of people do come out of season. If we had a full season he might have caught his first ever halibut but since it was closed all we could fish for was feeder springs and some crab. Great day but a 30 pound halibut would have been his biggest fish ever.
Lots of people come out early spring or in the fall and with our former rules they didn't even get the option to release a 75lbr let alone keep one and catch and release several others.
I'm a local who wants to fish every day so I deffinetly have a bias. My friends like the 6/year rule means I need to take more of them out.
And poppa Swiss Serengeti is that port hardy guide your talking about. He wants one over 126cm per year so his boat can target giants every day with revolving clients.
Lots of people come out early spring or in the fall and with our former rules they didn't even get the option to release a 75lbr let alone keep one and catch and release several others.
I'm a local who wants to fish every day so I deffinetly have a bias. My friends like the 6/year rule means I need to take more of them out.
And poppa Swiss Serengeti is that port hardy guide your talking about. He wants one over 126cm per year so his boat can target giants every day with revolving clients.
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