Tofinofish
02-17-2012, 04:51 PM
Well, Not quite where we were hoping to be after years of "negotiating" and encouraging DFO to change the flawed allocation policy.
Announced today;
Re-Allocation of Canada's TAC of Halibut from 88% Commercial / 12% Recreational
to 85% Commercial / 15% Recreational
Though this is a small move in the right direction, IMO it only consists of smoke and mirrors common with DFO, to do a Media release making them look good in the uninformed public eye. :snapoutofit:
What this means is that any of you traveling to the coast this year to fish Halibut will likely have opportunities until approximately Labour Day again, with 1 per day and 2 in possesion as it has been the last two years. (The overall TAC has been reduced from last year, so this new announcement will likley provide a very similar season to last year)
We are on a down cycle of "exploitable biomass" meaning that even though the overall biomass of Halibut in the North Pacific is very strong, there is an age class of Halibut that the IHPC aims to protect. This age class is forecast to increase after this year, so the 15% allocation will then provide (in all likelyhood) a 2 per day and 3 possession Halibut Fishery in the near future.
I'd like to reiterate that a little movement is better than none, but this is still a bit of insult to the lengthy process we have been battling for the past 9 years.
Good thing the overall average size has increased substantially in our area over the past two years....
News Release below, and I'll try and answer questions where I am able.
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=657669
Mistitled ; "Greater Certainty" in the Pacific Halibut Fishery
February 17, 2012
Vancouver, B.C. — The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, made an announcement today that will provide greater long-term certainty to the Pacific halibut fishery.
“Our government is making good on a commitment to provide greater long-term certainty in the Pacific halibut fishery for First Nations, commercial and recreational harvesters, and, most importantly encouraging jobs and economic growth in British Columbia,” said Minister Ashfield.
Based on a thorough review process conducted by Parliamentary Secretary Randy Kamp involving First Nations, commercial and recreational sectors, and the province of British Columbia, the Minister has instructed the Department to make an immediate correction in the allocation formula for the Pacific halibut fishery. Under the new formula, 85% of the resource will be allocated to the commercial sector and 15% to the recreational sector.
“I want to express my appreciation for Randy Kamp’s dedication to finding a solution that strikes a fair balance between the sectors and establishes a stable environment for the future,” added Minister Ashfield.
The experimental licence introduced last year, which allowed recreational harvesters to lease Pacific halibut quota from commercial harvesters based on market value, will continue to be available. Improvements to the program will be made, reflecting feedback received from 2011 participants. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will move forward with regulatory changes to continue this market-based transfer mechanism for the long term.
The 2012 Pacific halibut recreational fishing season will open March 1st. Recreational anglers with a tidal water licence will be able to catch one halibut per day with two in possession. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue to work with recreational community representatives to identify monitoring and management measures that will provide greatest flexibility and season length while staying within their allocation.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue to work with First Nations to ensure priority access for Food, Social and Ceremonial purposes, and to engage First Nations in pursuing opportunities for commercial access to halibut through existing aboriginal programs.
All participants and sectors have a shared responsibility for the conservation, stewardship and careful harvest of Pacific halibut and this will continue to be a priority for Fisheries
and Oceans Canada.
J. Mohl
Clayoquot Ventures Tofino Fishing
Announced today;
Re-Allocation of Canada's TAC of Halibut from 88% Commercial / 12% Recreational
to 85% Commercial / 15% Recreational
Though this is a small move in the right direction, IMO it only consists of smoke and mirrors common with DFO, to do a Media release making them look good in the uninformed public eye. :snapoutofit:
What this means is that any of you traveling to the coast this year to fish Halibut will likely have opportunities until approximately Labour Day again, with 1 per day and 2 in possesion as it has been the last two years. (The overall TAC has been reduced from last year, so this new announcement will likley provide a very similar season to last year)
We are on a down cycle of "exploitable biomass" meaning that even though the overall biomass of Halibut in the North Pacific is very strong, there is an age class of Halibut that the IHPC aims to protect. This age class is forecast to increase after this year, so the 15% allocation will then provide (in all likelyhood) a 2 per day and 3 possession Halibut Fishery in the near future.
I'd like to reiterate that a little movement is better than none, but this is still a bit of insult to the lengthy process we have been battling for the past 9 years.
Good thing the overall average size has increased substantially in our area over the past two years....
News Release below, and I'll try and answer questions where I am able.
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=657669
Mistitled ; "Greater Certainty" in the Pacific Halibut Fishery
February 17, 2012
Vancouver, B.C. — The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, made an announcement today that will provide greater long-term certainty to the Pacific halibut fishery.
“Our government is making good on a commitment to provide greater long-term certainty in the Pacific halibut fishery for First Nations, commercial and recreational harvesters, and, most importantly encouraging jobs and economic growth in British Columbia,” said Minister Ashfield.
Based on a thorough review process conducted by Parliamentary Secretary Randy Kamp involving First Nations, commercial and recreational sectors, and the province of British Columbia, the Minister has instructed the Department to make an immediate correction in the allocation formula for the Pacific halibut fishery. Under the new formula, 85% of the resource will be allocated to the commercial sector and 15% to the recreational sector.
“I want to express my appreciation for Randy Kamp’s dedication to finding a solution that strikes a fair balance between the sectors and establishes a stable environment for the future,” added Minister Ashfield.
The experimental licence introduced last year, which allowed recreational harvesters to lease Pacific halibut quota from commercial harvesters based on market value, will continue to be available. Improvements to the program will be made, reflecting feedback received from 2011 participants. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will move forward with regulatory changes to continue this market-based transfer mechanism for the long term.
The 2012 Pacific halibut recreational fishing season will open March 1st. Recreational anglers with a tidal water licence will be able to catch one halibut per day with two in possession. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue to work with recreational community representatives to identify monitoring and management measures that will provide greatest flexibility and season length while staying within their allocation.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue to work with First Nations to ensure priority access for Food, Social and Ceremonial purposes, and to engage First Nations in pursuing opportunities for commercial access to halibut through existing aboriginal programs.
All participants and sectors have a shared responsibility for the conservation, stewardship and careful harvest of Pacific halibut and this will continue to be a priority for Fisheries
and Oceans Canada.
J. Mohl
Clayoquot Ventures Tofino Fishing