I encourage anyone that has an interest in this issue to read this webpage. It's written by someone that arguably knows more about our fishery than anyone else here on the West Coast. Here is a snippet from the web page.
http://www.wcfga.com/experimental-halibut-quota-leasing-scheme/
Based on the most recent information available, in 2016 a total of 97 licenses were issued, 67 of which were carried over from the previous season, and a total of 8,653 pounds of halibut quota was transferred from the commercial sector to experimental licence holders, of which 5,082 pounds of halibut has been reported caught.
Since its inception, the Sport Fishing Advisory Board, The Sport Fishing Institute of BC, and the BC Wildlife federation have strongly opposed this program.
Why do anglers and angling organizations oppose this program?
One of the fundamental principles that underlies the continued access of the public to fishery resources in BC is the concept of common property. In this context, fishery resources are owned by the people of Canada, and are managed by the federal government for the benefit of all Canadians.
It is through the application of common property rights that you and your fellow anglers still continue to enjoy relatively unfettered access to both fishery and wildlife resources in Canada. This is not the case in other countries where these resources can be privately owned and managed for the benefit of the landowner or quota holder. Access to fishing and hunting in these areas is highly restricted, and typically comes with a very hefty fee to the resource owner.
