Sushihunter
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http://www.canada.com/2011+season+could+hurt/3993165/story.html
2011 season could be hurt
Courier-Islander December 17, 2010
A whacky policy governing halibut allocation between the commercial and recreational fisheries could cost coastal communities millions of dollars in 2011.
Under the current quota system, 436 commercial licences are allowed 88 percent of the total allowable catch in Canadian waters. The recreational sector, the rest of Canadians, is allowed 12 per cent.
Last year the recreational sector went over its 12 per cent, and was apparently allowed to do so by a Department of Fisheries and Oceans that was afraid of public backlash for shutting down the fishery during its peak period of late summer.
Early indications for the TAC for the 2011 recreational fishery show that the overage of 2010 will be subtracted from the 2011 season allotment. That could mean lower bag limits and, worse, a severely shortened recreational halibut season.
While salmon fishing is a main attraction for recreational fishing tourists, the desire for halibut - known as the Chicken of the Sea - is also high on their priority list. Fishing charters along the west coast would be drastically reduced if there were no opportunities for catching halibut.
The halibut quota system was developed in 1991 under then Liberal Fisheries Minister Robert Thibeault and was designed to increase the safety of commercial fishermen who, prior to the quota system, embarked on wild "fishing derby" style harvesting. It was also designed to stabilize the supply of halibut to the market.
The proposed reduction in the recreational fisheries sector has nothing to do with a lack of halibut, but everything to do with a government that seems to put the interests of 436 people ahead of that of the rest of Canada.
Just a small percentage of the commercial allotment would save the season. Is that too much to ask?
© Copyright (c) Postmedia News
2011 season could be hurt
Courier-Islander December 17, 2010
A whacky policy governing halibut allocation between the commercial and recreational fisheries could cost coastal communities millions of dollars in 2011.
Under the current quota system, 436 commercial licences are allowed 88 percent of the total allowable catch in Canadian waters. The recreational sector, the rest of Canadians, is allowed 12 per cent.
Last year the recreational sector went over its 12 per cent, and was apparently allowed to do so by a Department of Fisheries and Oceans that was afraid of public backlash for shutting down the fishery during its peak period of late summer.
Early indications for the TAC for the 2011 recreational fishery show that the overage of 2010 will be subtracted from the 2011 season allotment. That could mean lower bag limits and, worse, a severely shortened recreational halibut season.
While salmon fishing is a main attraction for recreational fishing tourists, the desire for halibut - known as the Chicken of the Sea - is also high on their priority list. Fishing charters along the west coast would be drastically reduced if there were no opportunities for catching halibut.
The halibut quota system was developed in 1991 under then Liberal Fisheries Minister Robert Thibeault and was designed to increase the safety of commercial fishermen who, prior to the quota system, embarked on wild "fishing derby" style harvesting. It was also designed to stabilize the supply of halibut to the market.
The proposed reduction in the recreational fisheries sector has nothing to do with a lack of halibut, but everything to do with a government that seems to put the interests of 436 people ahead of that of the rest of Canada.
Just a small percentage of the commercial allotment would save the season. Is that too much to ask?
© Copyright (c) Postmedia News
