Sushihunter
Active Member
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_north/campbellrivermirror/news/113477834.html
Town hall meeting
just for the halibut
Published: January 13, 2011 3:00 PM
Halibut anglers are concerned the fishery may close in mid-season.
“The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) may close down the recreational halibut fishery as early as late June 2011 or early July. This would have a significant impact on lodges, fishing guides and a significant impact on tourism in a variety of coastal communities including Campbell River,” said Martin Paish, director of corporate projects for Oak Bay Marine Group, which operates Painter’s Lodge and April Point.
That’s why the BC Sport Fishing Coalition is hosting a “Town Hall Meeting” to present information on the halibut quota and how it will affect future fishing at the Maritime Heritage Centre on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.
Dan Bate, communications advisor for DFO says the Sport Fishing Advisory Board, which represents the recreational fishing industry, has suggested a daily limit of two halibut, up from last year’s one, which would close the fishery in July.
However, no official decision has been made yet.
“As it stands, the International Pacific Halibut Commission has yet to determine Canada’s total allowable catch and therefore DFO has yet to determine management options for the upcoming season,” said Bate.
Paish says the fishery is expected to open Feb. 1, and it typically closes Dec. 31, meaning a July closure would effectively cut the season in half for recreational fishermen.
Last year, the season was closed by DFO on Oct. 18.
Also frustrating for the sport fishing industry is how commercial fishermen are using – or not using – their share of the halibut allocation.
Since 2003, on the B.C. coast, just 12 per cent of the halibut quota is allocated to sport fishing while 88 per cent goes to commercial vessels.
But that 88 per cent is not always used by the 436 halibut fishermen who were given, for free, halibut quotas based on their catch history.
Rob Alcock, president of the Sport Fishing Institute of BC, says less than half of those quota holders don’t even fish and instead are leasing out their quotas.
Paish believes those quotas would be better given out to people who will use them to fish because it’s something they truly enjoy.
“It’s (fishing) part of what we do as Canadians,” said Paish. “The opportunity to fish is what makes life good.
“To restrict people’s access to that so 436 business men can make money off that seems wrong.”
Painter’s Lodge and April Point accommodate hundreds of tourists who come each year to sport fish.
But Paish worries that could become increasingly difficult.
There is fear the halibut allocation may also lead to quota fisheries involving all salmon species and shellfish.
“Painter’s Lodge is concerned enough about the halibut quotas because it actively supports the recreational halibut fishery and provides access to catching halibut but the fear is, it’s our belief that individual transferable quota fishing will move over to salmon species as well which would be devastating to Painter’s Lodge and have a huge effect on the resort,” said Paish.
Paish said the BC Sport Fishing Coalition, made up of sport fishing associations, BC Wildlife Federation and the Campbell River Fishing Guides Association, has good reason to believe quota fishing won’t stop with halibut.
“Test fisheries have already been starting. (For example) in Campbell River, in 2010, with sockeye,” said Paish.
Last year, effective Aug. 5, recreational fishers were allotted up to four sockeye daily.
Lara Sloan, communications advisor on salmon and marine animals for DFO, believes different area groups around the province will likely try quota fisheries with salmon.
“I anticipate that there will be more quota-based fisheries in the coming season but that will be part of the Integrated Fisheries Management Plans consultations with stakeholders,” said Sloan. Those consultations won’t take place until the season begins and information on quotas won’t be finalized until May.
The possibility of more quota fisheries is bad news for Painter’s Lodge.
Christine Fleming, operations manager at Painter’s Lodge, said last year’s quota fishery for sockeye was “devastating to Painter’s Lodge” and had a big effect on business.
*** Note: This website allows Comments to be made - might be a good idea to respond to this one. - JP
Town hall meeting
just for the halibut
Published: January 13, 2011 3:00 PM
Halibut anglers are concerned the fishery may close in mid-season.
“The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) may close down the recreational halibut fishery as early as late June 2011 or early July. This would have a significant impact on lodges, fishing guides and a significant impact on tourism in a variety of coastal communities including Campbell River,” said Martin Paish, director of corporate projects for Oak Bay Marine Group, which operates Painter’s Lodge and April Point.
That’s why the BC Sport Fishing Coalition is hosting a “Town Hall Meeting” to present information on the halibut quota and how it will affect future fishing at the Maritime Heritage Centre on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.
Dan Bate, communications advisor for DFO says the Sport Fishing Advisory Board, which represents the recreational fishing industry, has suggested a daily limit of two halibut, up from last year’s one, which would close the fishery in July.
However, no official decision has been made yet.
“As it stands, the International Pacific Halibut Commission has yet to determine Canada’s total allowable catch and therefore DFO has yet to determine management options for the upcoming season,” said Bate.
Paish says the fishery is expected to open Feb. 1, and it typically closes Dec. 31, meaning a July closure would effectively cut the season in half for recreational fishermen.
Last year, the season was closed by DFO on Oct. 18.
Also frustrating for the sport fishing industry is how commercial fishermen are using – or not using – their share of the halibut allocation.
Since 2003, on the B.C. coast, just 12 per cent of the halibut quota is allocated to sport fishing while 88 per cent goes to commercial vessels.
But that 88 per cent is not always used by the 436 halibut fishermen who were given, for free, halibut quotas based on their catch history.
Rob Alcock, president of the Sport Fishing Institute of BC, says less than half of those quota holders don’t even fish and instead are leasing out their quotas.
Paish believes those quotas would be better given out to people who will use them to fish because it’s something they truly enjoy.
“It’s (fishing) part of what we do as Canadians,” said Paish. “The opportunity to fish is what makes life good.
“To restrict people’s access to that so 436 business men can make money off that seems wrong.”
Painter’s Lodge and April Point accommodate hundreds of tourists who come each year to sport fish.
But Paish worries that could become increasingly difficult.
There is fear the halibut allocation may also lead to quota fisheries involving all salmon species and shellfish.
“Painter’s Lodge is concerned enough about the halibut quotas because it actively supports the recreational halibut fishery and provides access to catching halibut but the fear is, it’s our belief that individual transferable quota fishing will move over to salmon species as well which would be devastating to Painter’s Lodge and have a huge effect on the resort,” said Paish.
Paish said the BC Sport Fishing Coalition, made up of sport fishing associations, BC Wildlife Federation and the Campbell River Fishing Guides Association, has good reason to believe quota fishing won’t stop with halibut.
“Test fisheries have already been starting. (For example) in Campbell River, in 2010, with sockeye,” said Paish.
Last year, effective Aug. 5, recreational fishers were allotted up to four sockeye daily.
Lara Sloan, communications advisor on salmon and marine animals for DFO, believes different area groups around the province will likely try quota fisheries with salmon.
“I anticipate that there will be more quota-based fisheries in the coming season but that will be part of the Integrated Fisheries Management Plans consultations with stakeholders,” said Sloan. Those consultations won’t take place until the season begins and information on quotas won’t be finalized until May.
The possibility of more quota fisheries is bad news for Painter’s Lodge.
Christine Fleming, operations manager at Painter’s Lodge, said last year’s quota fishery for sockeye was “devastating to Painter’s Lodge” and had a big effect on business.
*** Note: This website allows Comments to be made - might be a good idea to respond to this one. - JP
