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Anglers outraged by halibut decision
Tamara CunninghamComox Valley Echo
Friday, February 18, 2011
Outraged anglers are lashing out at Ottawa over its refusal to change the allocation formula in B.C.'s halibut fishery.
Federal fisheries minister Gail Shea announced Tuesday the commercial fishery will maintain 88 per cent of the catch and the recreational sector 12 per cent under a formula in place since 2003.
Individual saltwater angers can raise the limit, however, by leasing quota from the commercial fishery at market value.
"There is no solution here for the recreational sector and asking individual fishermen to pay for quota is outright wrong," said Rob Alcock, president of the Sport Fishing Institute of BC.
"I'm not even sure they could afford to pay for it."
Sport fishermen have never liked the allocation - and stepped up efforts this winter to fight for a larger share of the catch.
They argued in a series of meetings across Vancouver Island that the growing sector is reaching its limit sooner, causing unpredictable season closings. Lodges and charters are having troubles booking advance trips and tackle shops don't know how many orders to make. Maintaining the formula could cause economic havoc, recreational members said last December.
The commercial sector battled back concerned their livelihood could be put in jeopardy so another industry could grow.
Shea was 'disappointed' the two sectors couldn't reach an agreement and set an experimental fishery for the 2011 season until long-term solutions can be found.
Randy Kamp, Shea's parliamentary secretary, will work with fisheries staff to draw up options for the 2012 season.
The commercial fishery supports the interim decision, which also allows individual anglers to catch one halibut per day and have two in possession.
It forces everyone to bear the cost of conservation, said Chris Sporer with the Pacific Management Halibut Association.
"We are in a period of low abundance (for halibut). It means difficulty for everyone, let's not kid ourselves, but this is about thinking of the long term and protecting the fish,' he said.
The recreational industry is furious and predicting huge implications this season for marinas, restaurants and small charter businesses. The season is already starting a month late on March 1, putting lodges and guides behind in their bookings. If that isn't painful enough, long-time clients are deciding not to come back, said Gil DiCesare, owner of G&M Charters in Courtenay.
His bookings are down 50 per cent and he estimates his loss is close to $30,000 already. That would be a hard hit for any business, he said.
DiCesare charges $1000 a day to take people out on weekend trips. Tourists don't seem to be interested, however, in paying the fee this season when the limit is two halibut. There is also still no word on when the season could close, so he doesn't know how far in advance to book his clients.
He is not the only charter with troubles, he said.
"Clients aren't coming. Period. I think we're going to see a lot of empty marinas and small operators just disappear - a $650 million industry is in trouble."
The Courtenay businessman refuses to buy quota from the commercial sector on principal and believes others will follow suit. Paying for fish is the line in the sand, he said.
Bryan Allen, director of sport fishing for the Courtenay Fish and Game Club agrees. Member forums are all abuzz over the latest change and no one is happy - especially about paying for a public resource, he said.
From the beginning, anglers have said they don't want to privatize fish by buying quota off the commercial fishery, but that's exactly what the government is suggesting they do. This is extremely short sighted and unfair, Allen said.
"I'd be very surprised if people walk away with this with their tails between their legs. We are angry and we feel dismissed and we're going to continue to raise hell every chance we get."
tcunningham@comoxvalleyecho.com
Tamara CunninghamComox Valley Echo
Friday, February 18, 2011
Outraged anglers are lashing out at Ottawa over its refusal to change the allocation formula in B.C.'s halibut fishery.
Federal fisheries minister Gail Shea announced Tuesday the commercial fishery will maintain 88 per cent of the catch and the recreational sector 12 per cent under a formula in place since 2003.
Individual saltwater angers can raise the limit, however, by leasing quota from the commercial fishery at market value.
"There is no solution here for the recreational sector and asking individual fishermen to pay for quota is outright wrong," said Rob Alcock, president of the Sport Fishing Institute of BC.
"I'm not even sure they could afford to pay for it."
Sport fishermen have never liked the allocation - and stepped up efforts this winter to fight for a larger share of the catch.
They argued in a series of meetings across Vancouver Island that the growing sector is reaching its limit sooner, causing unpredictable season closings. Lodges and charters are having troubles booking advance trips and tackle shops don't know how many orders to make. Maintaining the formula could cause economic havoc, recreational members said last December.
The commercial sector battled back concerned their livelihood could be put in jeopardy so another industry could grow.
Shea was 'disappointed' the two sectors couldn't reach an agreement and set an experimental fishery for the 2011 season until long-term solutions can be found.
Randy Kamp, Shea's parliamentary secretary, will work with fisheries staff to draw up options for the 2012 season.
The commercial fishery supports the interim decision, which also allows individual anglers to catch one halibut per day and have two in possession.
It forces everyone to bear the cost of conservation, said Chris Sporer with the Pacific Management Halibut Association.
"We are in a period of low abundance (for halibut). It means difficulty for everyone, let's not kid ourselves, but this is about thinking of the long term and protecting the fish,' he said.
The recreational industry is furious and predicting huge implications this season for marinas, restaurants and small charter businesses. The season is already starting a month late on March 1, putting lodges and guides behind in their bookings. If that isn't painful enough, long-time clients are deciding not to come back, said Gil DiCesare, owner of G&M Charters in Courtenay.
His bookings are down 50 per cent and he estimates his loss is close to $30,000 already. That would be a hard hit for any business, he said.
DiCesare charges $1000 a day to take people out on weekend trips. Tourists don't seem to be interested, however, in paying the fee this season when the limit is two halibut. There is also still no word on when the season could close, so he doesn't know how far in advance to book his clients.
He is not the only charter with troubles, he said.
"Clients aren't coming. Period. I think we're going to see a lot of empty marinas and small operators just disappear - a $650 million industry is in trouble."
The Courtenay businessman refuses to buy quota from the commercial sector on principal and believes others will follow suit. Paying for fish is the line in the sand, he said.
Bryan Allen, director of sport fishing for the Courtenay Fish and Game Club agrees. Member forums are all abuzz over the latest change and no one is happy - especially about paying for a public resource, he said.
From the beginning, anglers have said they don't want to privatize fish by buying quota off the commercial fishery, but that's exactly what the government is suggesting they do. This is extremely short sighted and unfair, Allen said.
"I'd be very surprised if people walk away with this with their tails between their legs. We are angry and we feel dismissed and we're going to continue to raise hell every chance we get."
tcunningham@comoxvalleyecho.com
© Comox Valley Echo 2011
