Early Halibut Opening

[OldBlackDog]

Put up a survey on here to see how this group votes!

 

[Samnjoe]

Taking away halibut in spring takes away the last salt fishery on south island before August. Westcoast still has salmon all year. To be fair, maybe that should be considered.

Are you thinking they would keep halibut closed until August on the south island?

 

[SG2.0]

Sports fishermen in the USA lobbied and were successful in having the USA recreational halibut quote allocated increased. Now the recreational quota is 30% instead of 20%. So essentially they have increased their halibut quota by 50% while the commercial fisherman took the reduction from 80% to 70% of the halibut allocation. It seems that if there was a recreational lobby effort in Canada to change our current 80/20 split to 70/30 that there is a reasonable expectation for success given the results down south.
I also feel that its worth mentioning that no one is more disgusted with the 25% tariff on Canadian goods than me, however I refuse to lower myself to blaming American fisherman/tourists that want to support our local economy and enjoy fishing with family and friends in Canada. Try putting the shoe on your foot and see how that feels. It makes no sense blaming fisherman from Washington State and Oregon for what comes from Washington DC. Crap if we were keeping score on what Trudeau has done over the last decade we all would have to wear a clown costume when were fishing.

its 85-15 right now .... should be 75-25

 

[Derby]

I don’t think it’s worth tho throwing the south island under the bus for mob rule

You could free up tac by closing days of the week.

It’s not like the lodges don’t have other options to fish for stuff.

we you able to fill out the SFAC hali survey over christmas ?

 

[wildmanyeah]

Yeah but I’d probably change a few answers now giving the position the fishery finds its self in.

Also my preferred preference are not necessary the same as how I think the fishery should be managed or what would be fair.

Its also the opposite of how most stocks are managed where the people taking the most or are closest to the stock of the concern see the biggest reductions.

 

[SG2.0]

No point in doing a survey if you don't listen to the results right wmy. And that's what I think the board will do.

 

[IronNoggin]

The SFAB Halibut Working Group will be meeting this week to run through the data and closely examine the survey results from SFAB participants who provided their input on what core values they wished to see considered in how the TAC decisions are to be guided. As noted, the majority said they wanted to protect the core season (June to August).

Personally I'd like to know the composition of said working group.
As in how many that sit on it are guides or lodge representatives as apposed to regular fishing folks.

I'll wait...

 

[wildmanyeah]

No point in doing a survey if you don't listen to the results right wmy. And that's what I think the board will do.

That’s like doing a survey tho should they close wcvi or North island so people in Vancouver can have a longer chinook fishery.

I was at a Sfac meeting where DFO told us if we wanted more to be open then they would need to close somewhere else and as far as I know the Sfac avoids doing that kind of thing because t’s really not everyone’s interest to have that in fighting.

All options should be thought of before taking away someone’s fishery. If that’s what it’s comes down to then spread some of the pain out a bit.

 

[Derby]

Personally I'd like to know the composition of said working group.
As in how many that sit on it are guides or lodge representatives as apposed to regular fishing folks.

I'll wait...

Ahhh... the old primary / secondary argument when the tough decision are having to be made.

 

[IronNoggin]

Ahhh... the old primary / secondary argument when the tough decision are having to be made.

Nope. Curiosity...

 

[SG2.0]

That’s like doing a survey tho should they close wcvi or North island so people in Vancouver can have a longer chinook fishery.

I was at a Sfac meeting where DFO told us if we wanted more to be open then they would need to close somewhere else and as far as I know the Sfac avoids doing that kind of thing because t’s really not everyone’s interest to have that in fighting.

All options should be thought of before taking away someone’s fishery. If that’s what it’s comes down to then spread some of the pain out a bit.

There will be plenty of pain spread out…. For example if you think people want to go somewhere for one fish. Compared to 5 or unlimited in SE and central Alaska respectively then I have a lodge to sell you….

 

[Confused]

The animals always look different when the waterhole dries up.

 

[wildmanyeah]

There will be plenty of pain spread out…. For example if you think people want to go somewhere for one fish. Compared to 5 or unlimited in SE and central Alaska respectively then I have a lodge to sell you….

I did not no our goal with the rec fishery was to maximize lodge profits

 

[Derby]

Nope. Curiosity...

Ask your local SFAC chair if it matters that much to you, its public knowledge. It doesn't really matter in the end as those of us that sit on the SFAB Halibut working group are guided by the direction of those that chose to give their input to there local area sfac.

 

[ship happens]

Why not just sell the quota on a sport licence and be done with it. Out of towners pay alot more. Or is that to simple

 

[bryce]

Why not just sell the quota on a sport licence and be done with it. Out of towners pay alot more. Or is that to simple

I don’t sit on any of the boards or anything of the sort but it seems so simple to me if we sell 300,000 licenses a year and quota is selling for 150 dollars a lbs
Say half buy the halibut “tag” for 50 dollars
150,000x50 =7,500,000/150= 50,000 lbs a year we could be buying and I see that being on the light end.
Could raise it even higher for out of province and out of country. In a few years we would be sitting in a way better position then we’re in now.

 

[SG2.0]

I did not no our goal with the rec fishery was to maximize lodge profits

Never said that, but people have put their life savings into a boat etc. Way more small independent operators than big lodges...

 

[fishinforever]

Are you thinking they would keep halibut closed until August on the south island?

Our fishery is predominantly February through early June. Picking up again in late August through october

 

[ship happens]

I don’t sit on any of the boards or anything of the sort but it seems so simple to me if we sell 300,000 licenses a year and quota is selling for 150 dollars a lbs
Say half buy the halibut “tag” for 50 dollars
150,000x50 =7,500,000/150= 50,000 lbs a year we could be buying and I see that being on the light end.
Could raise it even higher for out of province and out of country. In a few years we would be sitting in a way better position then we’re in now.

I believe there is a solution and it's based on numbers and managment on those numbers. As best as we can figure out. Only problem I see is how we go about it. Keep it simple

 

[Doug]

Just got this,
It appears there will be a 15% reduction this year

2025 Halibut TAC (Total Allowable Catch) Announced​

Jan 29, 2025 - Conservation, Fish, Fishing Access, Halibut, Saltwater Fishing
The 101st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) concluded on Friday, January 31st, after a busy week of presentations, Q&A sessions, and critical decisions. Representing the Southern Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition (SVIAC) was newly appointed President - Bill Campbell, attending his first IPHC AGM.
From the outset, it was clear that the state of halibut stocks remained concerning. Scientific presentations from the IPHC painted a stark picture of declining stocks, necessitating further reductions in Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to support recovery efforts. Both Canadian and American delegations acknowledged the urgency, agreeing that meaningful TAC cuts were essential despite some areas showing less significant declines.

Challenges for Canada’s Recreational Fishery​

In 2023, Canada's Recreational TAC was set at 885,250 lbs. However, by September, recreational anglers had exceeded this limit by 9,631 lbs, triggering an early season closure.
For 2024, Canada’s Recreational TAC was reduced to 826,619 lbs, reflecting the prior year’s overage. Unfortunately, by September 2024, the fishery again exceeded its limit, this time by almost 30,000 lbs, resulting in another early closure. This overage will now be deducted from the 2025 Recreational TAC.

2025: A New TAC Reduction​

After significant discussions, the IPHC Commissioners implemented an aggregate 15.8% TAC reduction for both Canada and the U.S. For 2025, Canada’s total share of the Pacific halibut TAC is set at 4,735,000 lbs. Based on the agreed allocations:
· 15% Recreational Allocation = 680,250 lbs
· 30,000 lbs deducted for the 2024 overage
This leaves Canada’s 2025 Recreational TAC at 650,250 lbs, marking a substantial reduction of over 175,000 lbs from 2024.

Next Steps​

The Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) Halibut Working Group will now develop a coast-wide fishing plan for 2025. While the specifics remain to be determined, anglers should prepare for potential adjustments to the season, including a later start, an earlier closure, or tighter size limits.
We will provide further updates when available.

Bill Campbell
President, SVIAC