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Recreational halibut anglers upset by quota
Daily News
Published: Wednesday, January 19, 2011
B.C.'s recreational halibut anglers are being encouraged to write Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Fisheries Gail Shea to change the halibut quotas for commercial and recreational fishers before the season begins on Feb. 1
At a packed meeting of about 400 people last night hosted by the B.C. Coalition of Salt Water Anglers, the crowd was told that this year's sport fishery for halibut could end as early as mid-July if the current halibut allocation, which sees the commercial sector receive 88% of the quota while the recreational anglers get just 12%, remains in place.
Just 436 commercial halibut licences have been issued, while close to 100,000 recreational anglers have to divide up the 12% of the fishery they are allocated in an increasingly smaller fishery.
Clyde Wicks said it's "vitally important" that everyone in attendance understands that this is an industry "in crisis" if the situation remains status-quo.
Nanaimo-Alberni Conservative MP James Lunney, who attended the meeting, said it's clear that the "situation is not tenable" and that he has written to Shea outlining his concerns.
"I believe we have to respond to this in one way or another," Lunney said.
"The government needs to hear these concerns because the recreational aspect of the halibut fishery is its highest value part and it's where the public participates."
© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2011
Recreational halibut anglers upset by quota
Daily News
Published: Wednesday, January 19, 2011
B.C.'s recreational halibut anglers are being encouraged to write Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Fisheries Gail Shea to change the halibut quotas for commercial and recreational fishers before the season begins on Feb. 1
At a packed meeting of about 400 people last night hosted by the B.C. Coalition of Salt Water Anglers, the crowd was told that this year's sport fishery for halibut could end as early as mid-July if the current halibut allocation, which sees the commercial sector receive 88% of the quota while the recreational anglers get just 12%, remains in place.
Just 436 commercial halibut licences have been issued, while close to 100,000 recreational anglers have to divide up the 12% of the fishery they are allocated in an increasingly smaller fishery.
Clyde Wicks said it's "vitally important" that everyone in attendance understands that this is an industry "in crisis" if the situation remains status-quo.
Nanaimo-Alberni Conservative MP James Lunney, who attended the meeting, said it's clear that the "situation is not tenable" and that he has written to Shea outlining his concerns.
"I believe we have to respond to this in one way or another," Lunney said.
"The government needs to hear these concerns because the recreational aspect of the halibut fishery is its highest value part and it's where the public participates."
© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2011
