Sushihunter
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Story last updated at 11:09 AM on Thursday, April 15, 2010
Troopers charge guide for overtaking halibut
Guide alleged to have 'bucket fished'
By Michael Armstrong
Staff Writer
Alaska Wildlife Troopers last month charged a charter fishing guide with overfishing and waste of halibut. Troopers allege that on a trip last May, Brad A. Fisher, 38, temporarily kept live halibut in a 5-gallon bucket over the two fish a day per angler limit, a practice called "bucket fishing." One client told troopers Fisher kept the fish in case they didn't catch bigger fish. If they caught bigger fish, the small fish would be thrown back. Some halibut were thrown back live, but from three to five were thrown back dead, troopers said in charging documents. Troopers said Fisher kept at least eight halibut in the bucket over the daily limit of 12 for the six clients on his boat.
Fisher also was alleged to have encouraged clients to fish a boat limit, where the total number of halibut is divided among the clients, rather than an individual limit. Troopers said Fisher also took one fish for himself, a violation of Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations prohibiting charter captains and crew from fishing while clients are on board. In all, Fisher faces charges of illegal possession of fish, waste of fish, overlimit of sport-caught halibut, sport fish guide aiding in commission of violation, false entry in saltwater charter logbook and prohibited retention of fish by sport fishing guide.
Halibut fishing regulations allow fishermen to catch-and-release live halibut if they want to keep fishing in hopes of catching a larger halibut. Fish have to be let loose immediately, and any fish kept onboard count against the two-a-day limit.
Troopers learned of the incident after one of Fisher's clients on a May 31, 2009, trip reported the bucket fishing to a Fish and Game employee in Homer. The client said she and other fishermen wanted to release the small halibut. The Fish and Game employee then told troopers, who later started an investigation.
Trooper Michael Henry interviewed Fisher in February. In charging documents, Henry said at first Fisher denied holding any halibut temporarily, but later admitted he did put halibut in a bucket for no more than 10 minutes.
Fisher was a guide under contract to Catch-a-Lot charters based out of Anchor Point. George Patterson Sr., the owner of Catch-a-Lot, said he ended his contract with Fisher last fall for reasons other than the alleged illegal guiding. The angler who reported the alleged violations to Fish and Game also complained about the trip with Fisher. Patterson said the angler was offered a free charter trip. Neither Fish and Game or troopers told Patterson and his son of alleged violations until this year. Patterson said if he had been told of violations by Fisher he would have suspended Fisher immediately.
A summons on the charges was issued this week. A search of Alaska phone records showed no current listings for a Brad A. Fisher.
Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.
Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250
Story last updated at 11:09 AM on Thursday, April 15, 2010
Troopers charge guide for overtaking halibut
Guide alleged to have 'bucket fished'
By Michael Armstrong
Staff Writer
Alaska Wildlife Troopers last month charged a charter fishing guide with overfishing and waste of halibut. Troopers allege that on a trip last May, Brad A. Fisher, 38, temporarily kept live halibut in a 5-gallon bucket over the two fish a day per angler limit, a practice called "bucket fishing." One client told troopers Fisher kept the fish in case they didn't catch bigger fish. If they caught bigger fish, the small fish would be thrown back. Some halibut were thrown back live, but from three to five were thrown back dead, troopers said in charging documents. Troopers said Fisher kept at least eight halibut in the bucket over the daily limit of 12 for the six clients on his boat.
Fisher also was alleged to have encouraged clients to fish a boat limit, where the total number of halibut is divided among the clients, rather than an individual limit. Troopers said Fisher also took one fish for himself, a violation of Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations prohibiting charter captains and crew from fishing while clients are on board. In all, Fisher faces charges of illegal possession of fish, waste of fish, overlimit of sport-caught halibut, sport fish guide aiding in commission of violation, false entry in saltwater charter logbook and prohibited retention of fish by sport fishing guide.
Halibut fishing regulations allow fishermen to catch-and-release live halibut if they want to keep fishing in hopes of catching a larger halibut. Fish have to be let loose immediately, and any fish kept onboard count against the two-a-day limit.
Troopers learned of the incident after one of Fisher's clients on a May 31, 2009, trip reported the bucket fishing to a Fish and Game employee in Homer. The client said she and other fishermen wanted to release the small halibut. The Fish and Game employee then told troopers, who later started an investigation.
Trooper Michael Henry interviewed Fisher in February. In charging documents, Henry said at first Fisher denied holding any halibut temporarily, but later admitted he did put halibut in a bucket for no more than 10 minutes.
Fisher was a guide under contract to Catch-a-Lot charters based out of Anchor Point. George Patterson Sr., the owner of Catch-a-Lot, said he ended his contract with Fisher last fall for reasons other than the alleged illegal guiding. The angler who reported the alleged violations to Fish and Game also complained about the trip with Fisher. Patterson said the angler was offered a free charter trip. Neither Fish and Game or troopers told Patterson and his son of alleged violations until this year. Patterson said if he had been told of violations by Fisher he would have suspended Fisher immediately.
A summons on the charges was issued this week. A search of Alaska phone records showed no current listings for a Brad A. Fisher.
Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.
Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250
