Sushihunter
Active Member
Halibut quotas put businesses at risk
By Lanny Sawchuk, Times Colonist February 18, 2011 4:06 AM
I continue to be astonished at Fisheries Minister Gail Shea's refusal to alter the absurd allocation of the annual Canadian halibut catch between the commercial and recreational sectors, given the vocal feedback she's received from the recreational sector in recent months. This reaffirmation of a fatally flawed policy that allocates 88 per cent of the catch to commercial fishers and 12 per cent to recreational will put businesses at risk that contribute heavily to the economy of British Columbia.
The resorts that our company, Oak Bay Marine Group, operate will be amongst these.
We in the recreational fishing sector have the utmost respect for the hardworking people who make up the commercial sector. In fact, we believe DFO policies are not helping them to make a living either.
The minister's policy really acts to protect the small (just over 400) group of halibut quota-holders who were gifted halibut quota several years back. Many of these folks don't fish anymore and make serious money leasing their quota to hard-working fishermen who are squeezed in the middle.
And now DFO wants the recreational sector to buy quota from these quotaholders too? I don't think so.
Despite the fact that halibut stocks are strong, despite the fact that sports-caught halibut yield many times the economic benefit of those commercially caught, and despite the fact that literally thousands of people have recently expressed their wish to see DFO change its halibut allocation policy, the "rights" of quotaholders have been upheld.
Chalk one up for the lobby efforts of the quota-holders.
Lanny Sawchuk
Chief operations officer Oak Bay Marine Group
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/Halibut+quotas+businesses+risk/4307475/story.html#ixzz1EK7YuqLu
By Lanny Sawchuk, Times Colonist February 18, 2011 4:06 AM
I continue to be astonished at Fisheries Minister Gail Shea's refusal to alter the absurd allocation of the annual Canadian halibut catch between the commercial and recreational sectors, given the vocal feedback she's received from the recreational sector in recent months. This reaffirmation of a fatally flawed policy that allocates 88 per cent of the catch to commercial fishers and 12 per cent to recreational will put businesses at risk that contribute heavily to the economy of British Columbia.
The resorts that our company, Oak Bay Marine Group, operate will be amongst these.
We in the recreational fishing sector have the utmost respect for the hardworking people who make up the commercial sector. In fact, we believe DFO policies are not helping them to make a living either.
The minister's policy really acts to protect the small (just over 400) group of halibut quota-holders who were gifted halibut quota several years back. Many of these folks don't fish anymore and make serious money leasing their quota to hard-working fishermen who are squeezed in the middle.
And now DFO wants the recreational sector to buy quota from these quotaholders too? I don't think so.
Despite the fact that halibut stocks are strong, despite the fact that sports-caught halibut yield many times the economic benefit of those commercially caught, and despite the fact that literally thousands of people have recently expressed their wish to see DFO change its halibut allocation policy, the "rights" of quotaholders have been upheld.
Chalk one up for the lobby efforts of the quota-holders.
Lanny Sawchuk
Chief operations officer Oak Bay Marine Group
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/Halibut+quotas+businesses+risk/4307475/story.html#ixzz1EK7YuqLu
