IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Sportfish groups blast DFO quota purchase
Shayne Morrow, Alberni Valley Times
Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sport fishing stakeholder groups have lined up in their opposition to a one-year experimental program, announced by the federal fisheries minister, that would see them purchase halibut quota from commercial licence holders.
Minister Gail Shea announced the program on Tuesday, which would see the recreational halibut fishery open on March 1, with a limit of one fish per day and a possession limit of two. But, the existing allocation formula of 88% to the commercial sector and 12% to recreational would not change.The most contentious part of the program would allow recreational operators to purchase unused quota from licence holders who received allocations in 2003. Many of these owners already lease out those quotas to small commercial vessel operators.
Canadian Princess owner Bruce Clarkson said the new regulation "came out of the blue."
"There's nobody in the sports/recreational sector who would make that recommendation," Clarkson said. "This came purely from the commercial sector."Clarkson said his Ucluelet operation is the largest on the West Coast, but he couldn't afford to purchase fish at market prices for his clients to catch. And, that means the many small operators are even less likely to support the idea."I refuse to be part of a two-tier system that forces the smaller operators out of business," Clarkson said.
Charter operator Matt Stabler said he is part of a new group being formed under the banner of the West Coast Guides Association, and Shea's announcement has galvanized members."DFO's stance is that the halibut is a privatized resource, and this just takes it a step further," Stabler said.
The whole issue arose after the sport sector overfished its halibut allocation two years in a row (about 10% in 2009). Each season, DFO estimates when the halibut allocation will be reached, then sets a date for the season to close down. For 2011, DFO indicated it could shut down the sport fishery as early as July 15.
"Leaving it the way it was would have been preferable to this," Stabler said. "Some of the big outfits may be able to [buy quota], but we feel if anybody buys into it, it gives the impression we're all willing to play ball."
Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert Dennis said he is satisfied with the one-year plan. Last week, Dennis fired a pre-emptive strike, registering his nation's strong opposition to changing the allocation formula. "My disappointment is that there are still only two players: commercial and recreational. There is no specific aboriginal sector," Dennis said.
The Maa-nulth Treaty will be implemented on April 1. Dennis said jiggering halibut allocations would adversely affect all coastal First Nations because their halibut allocation is derived from the commercial sector. "Each of the five Maa-nulth nations have a small commercial quota, but we have to purchase that commercial quota," he explained. "We don't want to see our allocation affected."
Stabler suggested, however, that based on the size of the aboriginal licences, the effect would have been negligible. Stabler does agree with Dennis that the one-year term suggests it's politically driven.
"It's a good policy to bring in if you're heading into an election. You're not P-ing too many people off," Dennis said.
http://www2.canada.com/albernivalleytimes/news/story.html?id=5be67b49-7109-4215-bcdb-6ed5e4374f46
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Man did Robert Dennis EVER get that last statement wrong!!
Apparently he still doesn't quite grasp the larger picture here though. Makes one wonder just what he is really up to as he is rather well known for being a Crafty One...
Damn FINE to see the Canadian Princess owner leading the way in NOT buying in to this leasing quota BS! I was a little worried about some of the larger operators acting independent of our collective wishes and doing just that. Now, with his statement, methinks any of the others would be downright foolish to do so! KUDOS for that one Bruce! Way to stay the course!!
As for how this may effect the coming election, Bring It On! Methinks there is a very good possibility that collectively we can send the message to Mr. Dennis, along with Harper and Shea just how much of a mis-calculation they have made!
Cheers,
Nog
Shayne Morrow, Alberni Valley Times
Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sport fishing stakeholder groups have lined up in their opposition to a one-year experimental program, announced by the federal fisheries minister, that would see them purchase halibut quota from commercial licence holders.
Minister Gail Shea announced the program on Tuesday, which would see the recreational halibut fishery open on March 1, with a limit of one fish per day and a possession limit of two. But, the existing allocation formula of 88% to the commercial sector and 12% to recreational would not change.The most contentious part of the program would allow recreational operators to purchase unused quota from licence holders who received allocations in 2003. Many of these owners already lease out those quotas to small commercial vessel operators.
Canadian Princess owner Bruce Clarkson said the new regulation "came out of the blue."
"There's nobody in the sports/recreational sector who would make that recommendation," Clarkson said. "This came purely from the commercial sector."Clarkson said his Ucluelet operation is the largest on the West Coast, but he couldn't afford to purchase fish at market prices for his clients to catch. And, that means the many small operators are even less likely to support the idea."I refuse to be part of a two-tier system that forces the smaller operators out of business," Clarkson said.
Charter operator Matt Stabler said he is part of a new group being formed under the banner of the West Coast Guides Association, and Shea's announcement has galvanized members."DFO's stance is that the halibut is a privatized resource, and this just takes it a step further," Stabler said.
The whole issue arose after the sport sector overfished its halibut allocation two years in a row (about 10% in 2009). Each season, DFO estimates when the halibut allocation will be reached, then sets a date for the season to close down. For 2011, DFO indicated it could shut down the sport fishery as early as July 15.
"Leaving it the way it was would have been preferable to this," Stabler said. "Some of the big outfits may be able to [buy quota], but we feel if anybody buys into it, it gives the impression we're all willing to play ball."
Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert Dennis said he is satisfied with the one-year plan. Last week, Dennis fired a pre-emptive strike, registering his nation's strong opposition to changing the allocation formula. "My disappointment is that there are still only two players: commercial and recreational. There is no specific aboriginal sector," Dennis said.
The Maa-nulth Treaty will be implemented on April 1. Dennis said jiggering halibut allocations would adversely affect all coastal First Nations because their halibut allocation is derived from the commercial sector. "Each of the five Maa-nulth nations have a small commercial quota, but we have to purchase that commercial quota," he explained. "We don't want to see our allocation affected."
Stabler suggested, however, that based on the size of the aboriginal licences, the effect would have been negligible. Stabler does agree with Dennis that the one-year term suggests it's politically driven.
"It's a good policy to bring in if you're heading into an election. You're not P-ing too many people off," Dennis said.
http://www2.canada.com/albernivalleytimes/news/story.html?id=5be67b49-7109-4215-bcdb-6ed5e4374f46
.....................................................
Man did Robert Dennis EVER get that last statement wrong!!
Apparently he still doesn't quite grasp the larger picture here though. Makes one wonder just what he is really up to as he is rather well known for being a Crafty One...
Damn FINE to see the Canadian Princess owner leading the way in NOT buying in to this leasing quota BS! I was a little worried about some of the larger operators acting independent of our collective wishes and doing just that. Now, with his statement, methinks any of the others would be downright foolish to do so! KUDOS for that one Bruce! Way to stay the course!!
As for how this may effect the coming election, Bring It On! Methinks there is a very good possibility that collectively we can send the message to Mr. Dennis, along with Harper and Shea just how much of a mis-calculation they have made!
Cheers,
Nog
