As mentioned, the idea of using a halibut stamp to purchase, (not lease) quota is not new, and was explored pretty thoroughly as part of the Halibut Allocation Transfer Committee's work in 2010. Back then the User Fee Act made it pretty much impossible to implement. The idea is to use a stamp fee to generate the funds to permanently acquire additional quota over time to add to the 15% allocation provided to the recreational sector. I have no idea what it currently costs to acquire quota, how such a transfer could be made on a sectoral basis vs individual to individual, how much a stamp might cost and whether or not DFO or any commercial quota holders have an appetite to engage such a proposal. Those are details that would have to be worked out, but I still believe that if you take the long view, rather than whats going to make a difference next year, that if such a program has the potential to permanently (notwithstanding the ministers right to reallocate) transfer quota to our sector, depending on the cost of the stamp it could transfer a fairly meaningful amount after only a few years. Like the amount required to keep us open this year. Heck, if the stamp cost us as much as the retail value of one 15lb halibut, we could potentially be swimming in quota in 5 years assuming anyone in the commercial sector will sell it to us for less than $75.00\lb! Not suggesting that, so don't break out the flamethrowers. All I'm trying to do is put out potential realistic solutions that are different than the political route.
Don't forget the defining flexibility over time option as well. It has real potential to allow us to avoid closures in the future as long as we remain responsible in our approach to management measures vs TAC, and demonstrate our willingness to actually change things to account for an overage. It does nothing to change the requirement for size limits, annual limits etc, but could prevent the negative impacts of an early closure by allowing folks to plan vacations, and allowing businesses to manage inventory and regain trust with lodge\charter customers without forcing them to pay for the privilege of becoming quasi commercial halibut fishermen.
CP