Derby
Crew Member
Halibut Update
March 8, 2012
SFAB Halibut Recommendations
Striving for certainty in 2012
March 8, 2012
As we told you in our last update, we are disappointed with Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield's decision to ignore the unanimous recommendations of the sport fishing sector. Our recommendation that DFO implement a fixed number solution to halibut allocation policy would have provided real fairness and certainty to recreational anglers and a huge economic upside to commercial quota holders during periods of average or high abundance. Unfortunately, it appears that our solution fell on deaf ears.
Efforts to avoid in season closure
In the days since the announcement, many in the recreational sector have been working behind the scenes to find a way to save the 2012 season and give anglers some predictability about when this season might end. DFO's Pacific Region has shown a willingness to entertain different ways to approach the issue and through a series of meetings with the SFAB Halibut Working Group has analyzed the impacts on timing and amount of catch that are consistent with the new allocation that will limit the recreational sector at 1,084,650 pounds while permitting fishing to continue through the length of the season, targeting the traditional close date of December 31.
SFAB Recommendation: One Normal/One Under - Two in Possession
In the interests of ensuring a full season, the SFAB has recommended a fishing plan based on one fish per day, two in possession with one fish being of any size and the other being 83 cm. or less (approximately 15 lbs.). It is estimated that this approach would allow the recreational season to run from March 1 until December 31, 2012. DFO has expressed confidence in the numbers and we are optimistic that this will help protect the remainder of the 2012 season of halibut fishing from in season closure.
To be clear, asking to employ a management measure to reduce the rate and amount of our catch is a position that no one in the recreational sector would like to be in but by the same token, against the prospect of uncertainty and in season closure, it is fortunate that we can make the most out of the poor hand we have been dealt.
Every Fish Counts
To that end we would like anglers to weigh the impacts of every fish caught on our fishing opportunities this season. Many guides have discussions with their guests before getting a big one on the line in an effort to get them thinking about the broader impact of keeping large females. Similarly, many guides have asked guests to think about how much fish they can reasonably expect to use before the 100 pound barn door is thrashing at the side of the boat.
Our sector has continued to improve its catch monitoring practices, it is essential that this endures in 2012 and beyond. In the absence of sound data, DFO will be tempted to make decisions based on precautionary principles rather than facts and our detractors will reiterate claims that we are poorly monitored. Simply put, good catch data is essential.
Work to do
The new allocation announcement has forced us to look at each season as it comes. Certainty and stability have been eroded and we need to focus on keeping our fishery viable. The 2012 option tabled, once accepted by DFO, will go a long way to make it clear how long and where we can fish this year - all indications show that to be coast wide, for the length of the traditional season, until December 31, and for 2012 with limits of one normal and one under 83 cm, 2 in possession.
March 8, 2012
SFAB Halibut Recommendations
Striving for certainty in 2012
March 8, 2012
As we told you in our last update, we are disappointed with Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield's decision to ignore the unanimous recommendations of the sport fishing sector. Our recommendation that DFO implement a fixed number solution to halibut allocation policy would have provided real fairness and certainty to recreational anglers and a huge economic upside to commercial quota holders during periods of average or high abundance. Unfortunately, it appears that our solution fell on deaf ears.
Efforts to avoid in season closure
In the days since the announcement, many in the recreational sector have been working behind the scenes to find a way to save the 2012 season and give anglers some predictability about when this season might end. DFO's Pacific Region has shown a willingness to entertain different ways to approach the issue and through a series of meetings with the SFAB Halibut Working Group has analyzed the impacts on timing and amount of catch that are consistent with the new allocation that will limit the recreational sector at 1,084,650 pounds while permitting fishing to continue through the length of the season, targeting the traditional close date of December 31.
SFAB Recommendation: One Normal/One Under - Two in Possession
In the interests of ensuring a full season, the SFAB has recommended a fishing plan based on one fish per day, two in possession with one fish being of any size and the other being 83 cm. or less (approximately 15 lbs.). It is estimated that this approach would allow the recreational season to run from March 1 until December 31, 2012. DFO has expressed confidence in the numbers and we are optimistic that this will help protect the remainder of the 2012 season of halibut fishing from in season closure.
To be clear, asking to employ a management measure to reduce the rate and amount of our catch is a position that no one in the recreational sector would like to be in but by the same token, against the prospect of uncertainty and in season closure, it is fortunate that we can make the most out of the poor hand we have been dealt.
Every Fish Counts
To that end we would like anglers to weigh the impacts of every fish caught on our fishing opportunities this season. Many guides have discussions with their guests before getting a big one on the line in an effort to get them thinking about the broader impact of keeping large females. Similarly, many guides have asked guests to think about how much fish they can reasonably expect to use before the 100 pound barn door is thrashing at the side of the boat.
Our sector has continued to improve its catch monitoring practices, it is essential that this endures in 2012 and beyond. In the absence of sound data, DFO will be tempted to make decisions based on precautionary principles rather than facts and our detractors will reiterate claims that we are poorly monitored. Simply put, good catch data is essential.
Work to do
The new allocation announcement has forced us to look at each season as it comes. Certainty and stability have been eroded and we need to focus on keeping our fishery viable. The 2012 option tabled, once accepted by DFO, will go a long way to make it clear how long and where we can fish this year - all indications show that to be coast wide, for the length of the traditional season, until December 31, and for 2012 with limits of one normal and one under 83 cm, 2 in possession.
