I wanted to start a section that was sort of open to more recommendations and discussion on what we do next...
Most of you know that I have been relatively low key on the halibut issue but not at all none existent.
I've been in discussions with various DFO contacts and other organizations and have also been quietly putting together some proposals and ideas to put through to 2010.
It is important to know that all of the below info is just my personal opinion and by no means do I feel that my input is "godly".
I just think that after a winter of research and a lifetime of commercial/recreational fishing...I might have a few ideas.
I think that over the past few years, the recreational halibut fishery has become a little more mainstream than most of us realize.
The fact is that we as a whole, we are targeting halibut more and more to make up for the lack of other opportunities.
The current 88/12 split of TAC just simply isn't working for our current circumstances and we need to access more for the Recreational sector.
Now, I believe, whether right or wrong, that we are not just simply going to change the system. The Quota management system for Halibut on our coast has won praise from many as a great system and to change it just simply isn't going to happen.
The more hate mail and letter's we send to the “powers” is not going to change the policy in place.
I'm not saying I like it but I'm ready to move on.
The only way we are going to access more fish in the future is to get some of the TAC back from the Commercial sector and now it's time to put our heads together and find out how.
The current 2009 daily/possession limits are also not going to work long term and not having a closure date is a huge issue coast wide.
Here are a few of my suggestions and once again it's important to remember that my thoughts are only suggestions and I don't for a second think that they are not without controversy.
1. The simple truth is that we need to access more funds from a source that we put in place, to purchase more TAC from the commercial sector.
If we were to add a halibut tag system to the current license system, it would be a way to generate funds and also keep a more accurate count of what amount of fish is possibly taken out of the water.
The tag system could be a simple as something like a Chinook tag or even a per fish tag which is probably a better system. Trust me...DFO would go with this as it is a simple way to get a per fish number and is a lot like a commercial system.
If a tag costs $2 per fish and you had an annual limit of 10 fish...$20 to fish Halibut all season is better than we have right now.
If the tag's cost a certain amount each fish...the money should be easily accounted for and the revenue generated is to go in a fund to buy back commercial quota.
Now I realize this system comes with a lot of variables but it's a start. I also realize that the money generated from this type of system won't buy back much in the beginning but listen....
If we as a whole can somehow manage to make 12% work in 2009, could you imagine what we could do with 20% in five years or so.
The goal here is to be able to keep accessing the Halibut without sudden closures and to have the daily/possession limits to a point that individuals feel like they can fish for halibut at a reasonable cost...10+ months of the year.
2. To make a system like this work we need a guardianship type of plan as well...sort of a management party/watchdog.
The ability to see the right funds going into the right area is key and from what I've noticed in the past is that General Revenue is not a good spot for this type of program...the funds would disappear quickly!
Right now, I think we can all agree that DFO only get’s approximate number’s of recreational halibut landings. They will always error on the site of caution if we don’t give them something better….a tag system is better…not perfect but a start.
As to move on to the current daily/possession limits. This one really gets me.
Currently we are Opening March 1/2009 with a one a day/ two possession limit. Do we really think this was our best option?
With a delayed opening or a one a day/ one possession limit for starter’s we probably could of avoided a midsummer closure. Now we are left with the possibility of a group landing at a lodge in August and not being able to keep a halibut….not so good for future tourism.
I’m not saying it is going to close…I’m just saying we left DFO the option and they will error on the side of caution.
I think I’ve said enough and I’m waiting to hear the responses on the above issue as well as recommendations.
I hope we can continue on a pro active path with this topic and that most will respect others with ideas…
Let’s hear them…
www.coastwidesportsfishing.com
Most of you know that I have been relatively low key on the halibut issue but not at all none existent.
I've been in discussions with various DFO contacts and other organizations and have also been quietly putting together some proposals and ideas to put through to 2010.
It is important to know that all of the below info is just my personal opinion and by no means do I feel that my input is "godly".
I just think that after a winter of research and a lifetime of commercial/recreational fishing...I might have a few ideas.
I think that over the past few years, the recreational halibut fishery has become a little more mainstream than most of us realize.
The fact is that we as a whole, we are targeting halibut more and more to make up for the lack of other opportunities.
The current 88/12 split of TAC just simply isn't working for our current circumstances and we need to access more for the Recreational sector.
Now, I believe, whether right or wrong, that we are not just simply going to change the system. The Quota management system for Halibut on our coast has won praise from many as a great system and to change it just simply isn't going to happen.
The more hate mail and letter's we send to the “powers” is not going to change the policy in place.
I'm not saying I like it but I'm ready to move on.
The only way we are going to access more fish in the future is to get some of the TAC back from the Commercial sector and now it's time to put our heads together and find out how.
The current 2009 daily/possession limits are also not going to work long term and not having a closure date is a huge issue coast wide.
Here are a few of my suggestions and once again it's important to remember that my thoughts are only suggestions and I don't for a second think that they are not without controversy.
1. The simple truth is that we need to access more funds from a source that we put in place, to purchase more TAC from the commercial sector.
If we were to add a halibut tag system to the current license system, it would be a way to generate funds and also keep a more accurate count of what amount of fish is possibly taken out of the water.
The tag system could be a simple as something like a Chinook tag or even a per fish tag which is probably a better system. Trust me...DFO would go with this as it is a simple way to get a per fish number and is a lot like a commercial system.
If a tag costs $2 per fish and you had an annual limit of 10 fish...$20 to fish Halibut all season is better than we have right now.
If the tag's cost a certain amount each fish...the money should be easily accounted for and the revenue generated is to go in a fund to buy back commercial quota.
Now I realize this system comes with a lot of variables but it's a start. I also realize that the money generated from this type of system won't buy back much in the beginning but listen....
If we as a whole can somehow manage to make 12% work in 2009, could you imagine what we could do with 20% in five years or so.
The goal here is to be able to keep accessing the Halibut without sudden closures and to have the daily/possession limits to a point that individuals feel like they can fish for halibut at a reasonable cost...10+ months of the year.
2. To make a system like this work we need a guardianship type of plan as well...sort of a management party/watchdog.
The ability to see the right funds going into the right area is key and from what I've noticed in the past is that General Revenue is not a good spot for this type of program...the funds would disappear quickly!
Right now, I think we can all agree that DFO only get’s approximate number’s of recreational halibut landings. They will always error on the site of caution if we don’t give them something better….a tag system is better…not perfect but a start.
As to move on to the current daily/possession limits. This one really gets me.
Currently we are Opening March 1/2009 with a one a day/ two possession limit. Do we really think this was our best option?
With a delayed opening or a one a day/ one possession limit for starter’s we probably could of avoided a midsummer closure. Now we are left with the possibility of a group landing at a lodge in August and not being able to keep a halibut….not so good for future tourism.
I’m not saying it is going to close…I’m just saying we left DFO the option and they will error on the side of caution.
I think I’ve said enough and I’m waiting to hear the responses on the above issue as well as recommendations.
I hope we can continue on a pro active path with this topic and that most will respect others with ideas…
Let’s hear them…
www.coastwidesportsfishing.com