Here is the response from DFO that I said I would post once received. I was going to post it in the other thread but searching took to long. Anyway here it is.
Kind of disappointed that the two DFO Officers at the past Vic Boat show told me the complete opposite.
Seems a shame that one could get around the regs by doing this but it is what it is
From: Caron, Chantelle
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 11:46 AM
Subject: RE: Halibut slot size querry
Hello,
Thank you for sending in your inquiry regarding the recreational halibut fishery and the experimental quota program. Your questions were forwarded to me from the communications and public inquiry department, I hope I will be able to help.
1- Could you confirm that if Quota was purchased under the Recreational Halibut Experimental Fishery that it would allow a Rec Fisher to exceed the slot size restriction that has been imposed?
Answer: the experimental recreational halibut fishery does allow recreational harvesters to acquire quota to exceed the regular season limits (daily and possession limits, as well as size limits). Under the regular tidal water licence a recreational fisher cannot keep a halibut that is larger than the size limits laid out in the conditions of licence. In order to keep a halibut larger than the size limits an experimental licence and the appropriate amount of quota must be acquired for the whole fish (i.e., the fish cannot be “split” among the 2 licence types; the entire fish must be attributed to the experimental licence and is thus quota applicable).
2- Could you confirm that if a fishing lodge were to participate in this program that it would allow their clients to exceed the slot size?
Answer: yes, lodges that choose to participate can acquire an experimental licence to allow clients to exceed the current daily, possession, and size limits. Again, if fish are retained that are over the size limit, the whole fish must be attributed to the experimental fishery, not just the portion of it that is over the limit.
If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to call or email. Also, you can find more information regarding the experimental recreational halibut fishery here:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/commercial/ground-fond/halibut-fletan/index-eng.htm. The website currently reflects the 2012 fishery, but the 2013 information should be online within a day.
Thanks,
Chantelle
Chantelle Caron
A/ Halibut and Sablefish Coordinator
Fisheries and Aquaculture Management | Direction des pêches et de l'aquaculture
Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Vancouver, Canada V6C 3S4
chantelle.caron@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Telephone | Téléphone 604-666-0912
Facsimile | Télécopieur 604-666-8525
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
Kind of disappointed that the two DFO Officers at the past Vic Boat show told me the complete opposite.
Seems a shame that one could get around the regs by doing this but it is what it is
From: Caron, Chantelle
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 11:46 AM
Subject: RE: Halibut slot size querry
Hello,
Thank you for sending in your inquiry regarding the recreational halibut fishery and the experimental quota program. Your questions were forwarded to me from the communications and public inquiry department, I hope I will be able to help.
1- Could you confirm that if Quota was purchased under the Recreational Halibut Experimental Fishery that it would allow a Rec Fisher to exceed the slot size restriction that has been imposed?
Answer: the experimental recreational halibut fishery does allow recreational harvesters to acquire quota to exceed the regular season limits (daily and possession limits, as well as size limits). Under the regular tidal water licence a recreational fisher cannot keep a halibut that is larger than the size limits laid out in the conditions of licence. In order to keep a halibut larger than the size limits an experimental licence and the appropriate amount of quota must be acquired for the whole fish (i.e., the fish cannot be “split” among the 2 licence types; the entire fish must be attributed to the experimental licence and is thus quota applicable).
2- Could you confirm that if a fishing lodge were to participate in this program that it would allow their clients to exceed the slot size?
Answer: yes, lodges that choose to participate can acquire an experimental licence to allow clients to exceed the current daily, possession, and size limits. Again, if fish are retained that are over the size limit, the whole fish must be attributed to the experimental fishery, not just the portion of it that is over the limit.
If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to call or email. Also, you can find more information regarding the experimental recreational halibut fishery here:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/commercial/ground-fond/halibut-fletan/index-eng.htm. The website currently reflects the 2012 fishery, but the 2013 information should be online within a day.
Thanks,
Chantelle
Chantelle Caron
A/ Halibut and Sablefish Coordinator
Fisheries and Aquaculture Management | Direction des pêches et de l'aquaculture
Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Vancouver, Canada V6C 3S4
chantelle.caron@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Telephone | Téléphone 604-666-0912
Facsimile | Télécopieur 604-666-8525
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
