Here's what DFO has to say -
1+1
Fisheries and Oceans
Pacific Region Suite 200 - 401 Burrard Street Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3S4
DEC 302010
Peches et Oceans
Region du Pacifique Piece 200 - 401 rue Burrard Vancouver (C.-B.) V6C 3S4
Captain Josh Temple < captjosh@mac.com >
Dear Captain Temple:
Thank you for your correspondence of December 10,2010, addressed to the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, regarding the quota and allocation of Pacific halibut to the commercial and recreational sectors. I have been asked to respond on Minister Shea's behalf.
I assure you that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recognizes the cultural and economic importance of the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in British Columbia, including the economic contribution the sector makes to businesses and communities on the west coast of Canada.
The Canadian total allowable catch (TAC) is determined on an annual basis through the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), which was established in 1923 by a Convention between Canada and the United States. Canada remains committed to meeting its obligations with the IPHC.
As you are aware, the halibut allocation policy designates 12 percent of Canada's TAC to the recreational sector and 88 percent to the commercial sector. Except for years in which additional quota was accessed by the recreational sector from the commercial sector, this percentage has remained constant since the allocation policy was adopted in 2003. Declining abundance has resulted in there being fewer halibut available for all to harvest. For 201 0, both the United States and Canada's catch shares were reduced. Canada's 2010 TAC was 7.5 million pounds, down from its high in 2006, when the TAC was 13.2 million pounds.
Regarding the leasing of quota by commercial halibut fishers, the decline in the number of active vessels in the halibut fishery since individual quotas were introduced in 1991 is largely due to conservation and subsequent management measures introduced by DFO. These measures include: stricter monitoring; closed areas; accountability of all catch; and changes to quota transfer rules. Each of these changes has affected the economic viability of commercial halibut harvesters.
.../2
Canada
Your file Our file
Votre reference Notre reference
-2*
In response to these changes, some harvesters have, over time, decided to leave the fishery permanently, and others have stayed to make bigger investments in quota holdings to increase their individual harvest opportunities. The free movement of quota between licence holders ensures that all available halibut fishing opportunities are fully utilized and undertaken by those harvesters with the greatest interest and ability to fish.
It must be noted that, like any other fishery, halibut harvesting is not static. Individual quota moves between licence holders from year to year for a variety of reasons, including fluctuating prices paid by processors, fishing opportunities of other species made available to halibut licence holders, and the need to periodically pull vessels from active fishing for refit purposes. These factors, as well as many others, affect the actions taken by individual halibut harvesters from year to year. Ultimately, the degree to which any halibut fisher chooses to fish his or her quota during any season is a business decision of that individual at that time.
Fisheries management is a complex issue and the balance between conservation, economic and social issues is challenging. The Department is committed to continuing discussions with both the recreational and commercial sectors on the development of a long-term solution for the catch-share adjustment between the recreational and commercial sectors.
DFO appreciates your willingness to participate in ongoing discussions. Local stakeholders are encouraged to provide their input to local Sport Fishing Advisory Committees, which are located throughout the province. To become involved in this process, please contact the local Sport Fishing Advisory Committee in your area. For more information, please visit
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.htm
Thank you for taking the time to write to the Minister. Yours sincerely,
Bonnie Antcliffe Acting Regional Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch Pacific Region
1+1
Fisheries and Oceans
Pacific Region Suite 200 - 401 Burrard Street Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3S4
DEC 302010
Peches et Oceans
Region du Pacifique Piece 200 - 401 rue Burrard Vancouver (C.-B.) V6C 3S4
Captain Josh Temple < captjosh@mac.com >
Dear Captain Temple:
Thank you for your correspondence of December 10,2010, addressed to the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, regarding the quota and allocation of Pacific halibut to the commercial and recreational sectors. I have been asked to respond on Minister Shea's behalf.
I assure you that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recognizes the cultural and economic importance of the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in British Columbia, including the economic contribution the sector makes to businesses and communities on the west coast of Canada.
The Canadian total allowable catch (TAC) is determined on an annual basis through the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), which was established in 1923 by a Convention between Canada and the United States. Canada remains committed to meeting its obligations with the IPHC.
As you are aware, the halibut allocation policy designates 12 percent of Canada's TAC to the recreational sector and 88 percent to the commercial sector. Except for years in which additional quota was accessed by the recreational sector from the commercial sector, this percentage has remained constant since the allocation policy was adopted in 2003. Declining abundance has resulted in there being fewer halibut available for all to harvest. For 201 0, both the United States and Canada's catch shares were reduced. Canada's 2010 TAC was 7.5 million pounds, down from its high in 2006, when the TAC was 13.2 million pounds.
Regarding the leasing of quota by commercial halibut fishers, the decline in the number of active vessels in the halibut fishery since individual quotas were introduced in 1991 is largely due to conservation and subsequent management measures introduced by DFO. These measures include: stricter monitoring; closed areas; accountability of all catch; and changes to quota transfer rules. Each of these changes has affected the economic viability of commercial halibut harvesters.
.../2
Canada
Your file Our file
Votre reference Notre reference
-2*
In response to these changes, some harvesters have, over time, decided to leave the fishery permanently, and others have stayed to make bigger investments in quota holdings to increase their individual harvest opportunities. The free movement of quota between licence holders ensures that all available halibut fishing opportunities are fully utilized and undertaken by those harvesters with the greatest interest and ability to fish.
It must be noted that, like any other fishery, halibut harvesting is not static. Individual quota moves between licence holders from year to year for a variety of reasons, including fluctuating prices paid by processors, fishing opportunities of other species made available to halibut licence holders, and the need to periodically pull vessels from active fishing for refit purposes. These factors, as well as many others, affect the actions taken by individual halibut harvesters from year to year. Ultimately, the degree to which any halibut fisher chooses to fish his or her quota during any season is a business decision of that individual at that time.
Fisheries management is a complex issue and the balance between conservation, economic and social issues is challenging. The Department is committed to continuing discussions with both the recreational and commercial sectors on the development of a long-term solution for the catch-share adjustment between the recreational and commercial sectors.
DFO appreciates your willingness to participate in ongoing discussions. Local stakeholders are encouraged to provide their input to local Sport Fishing Advisory Committees, which are located throughout the province. To become involved in this process, please contact the local Sport Fishing Advisory Committee in your area. For more information, please visit
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.htm
Thank you for taking the time to write to the Minister. Yours sincerely,
Bonnie Antcliffe Acting Regional Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch Pacific Region
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thanks for the history lesson????
