Early Halibut Opening

[MRW]

Well I have to say im excited to get out for a halibut fish. Although finding a 102 cm may be hard to find for me, try some new spots I guess.
My thoughts are why don’t they have a slot limit say between 90-120cm . Keep some small ones for the future aswell as keep big breeders. Or maybe limit us to 6 again I’d say six halibut in that size should be enough fish for the year.
Just my thoughts
Good luck out there April 1st.

 

[SpringVelocity]

WOW true colors showed in that statemet right there . So hurt the entire island even more. have to look at the big picture like tackle stores, rec guys,guides,restaurant,air,holtels,airports, Do i like i NO I hate it but fish belong to all canadiens not select few , YES I want bigger too but remember it was DFO that said ok lets open for 2 fish in late summer only to come back with ohhhhh you went over so we will take that off next year "SORRY"
I said it WAAAAYYY back last year they would do it to appease certain user groups and they did.

issue is the spilt isnt enough and until we get more its always going to be a issue and what the west coast takes in 1 single day doesnt even touch what the south takes in 3 months.. there enough said

Sorry but true colors. Omg . You really need to look in mirror on that one.

I agree with opening early when there isn't a risk of us buying quota from recreational quota aystem to cover. You know that is what is going happen. It's going to be very popular this year now.

This size restriction is terrible and you know it. Anyways I don't lose sleep if you don't like what I posted! Have a great day.

 

[SG2.0]

I agree with opening early when there isn't a risk of us buying quota to cover. You know that is what is going happen.

This size restriction is terrible and you know it. Anyways I don't lose sleep if you don't like what I posted have. Have a great day.

XRQ has varied from 7,000 lbs to 18,000lbs taken last year. This year I’ll bet good money it’s over 40,000 lbs after I’ve had at least a dozen people tell me they have no choice but to use it despite never before. And that’s only the people I know of. The Chinese and US tariffs are going to be very hard on halibut commercial fishery is they stay in. Very very hard.

 

[Whole in the Water]

They can always buy a bigger one, I know talking about that on here is a big no no but it’s not like anyone is going to battle for more quota so I don’t see why if someone wants to retain and pay for a big one that they need to be named and shamed.

I think it would be different if the rec sector was actively battling for more quota but that hase t happened in years and I don’t see it happening again.

I don’t no the details but I believe a guide can get 20 pounds of quota and then transfer it and pay for more after the fish is caught.

I also find it weird that that could make or break someone booking like there is always the chance you catch nothing or not get limits but I guess it’s about selling the opportunity of a big one.

Totally wrong in many peoples minds!!! Buying quota is privatizing a common property resource that belongs to all Canadians. It supports a very dangerous and negative trend to further reducing the right of all Canadians to go and catch a fish that already belongs to them. If you don't believe go and try to catch a salmon or cod on the east coast. People who buy quota for rec fishing should be named and shamed IMH!!

 

[Srthomas75]

Totally wrong in many peoples minds!!! Buying quota is privatizing a common property resource that belongs to all Canadians. It supports a very dangerous and negative trend to further reducing the right of all Canadians to go and catch a fish that already belongs to them. If you don't believe go and try to catch a salmon or cod on the east coast. People who buy quota for rec fishing should be named and shamed IMH!!

I could see this trend having similarities to hunting guided territories. ( ie: the animals/ resource is there but it’s a costly way to get access to it compared to the local do it yourself type setup )

 

[wildmanyeah]

 

[wolf]

Sorry but true colors. Omg . You really need to look in mirror on that one.

When have you ever seen me say close a area down a screw over a area that be never!!! I dont want anyone to suffer the way my buisness and my community has over the last 13 years ,as you may know or maybe have forgot we in area 19/20 have been hit the hardest and the longest before anyone else!!!!!!!!!... I dont need to look in a mirror your statement is almost as good as trudumb and his ways ... Your a friend but way off base on this

 

[Tips Up]

Regardless of size South Island guides have lost opportunity due to late opening.
This will be lost revenue for guides, stores, restaurants, gas stations…

Getting rid of the Experimental Lease Program and adjusting TAC is the RIGHT ANSWER. How long has this experiment gone in now? Still trying to strong arm us into having to buy it.

Worst case adjust the regs by region. South Island needs March opening. Personally speaking I can live without February as the weather is unpredictable. Close season mid July.
Further North in lodge land could open May till mid September.

 

[SG2.0]

Regardless of size South Island guides have lost opportunity due to late opening.
This will be lost revenue for guides, stores, restaurants, gas stations…

Getting rid of the Experimental Lease Program and adjusting TAC is the RIGHT ANSWER. How long has this experiment gone in now? Still trying to strong arm us into having to buy it.

Worst case adjust the regs by region. South Island needs March opening. Personally speaking I can live without February as the weather is unpredictable. Close season mid July.
Further North in lodge land could open May till mid September.

Don't mind different area openings, I don't believe the fleet is as mobile as some make it out to be. Someone isn't going to pull a 26ft boat 6 hours up island for one halibut when they had months of open halibut down south.

 

[ship happens]

There are fundamental problems with this whole situation.

First one is who needs to bonk 10 halibut in a year? Noone needs that much per licence holder.

Second one. How can you tell a licence holder they are allowed 10 fish yet only one fish in possession? It's like a backward trick for fisheries managment. Then say we'll it's only open during this specific time.

Be way better off for everyone if they based the yearly licence holder limit based on TAC. So let's say everyone is allowed 3 fish. Who cares when you go get them. Should be able to go get those fish all at once or however you want.

 

[trophywife]

There are fundamental problems with this whole situation.

First one is who needs to bonk 10 halibut in a year? Noone needs that much per licence holder.

Second one. How can you tell a licence holder they are allowed 10 fish yet only one fish in possession? It's like a backward trick for fisheries managment. Then say we'll it's only open during this specific time.

Be way better off for everyone if they based the yearly licence holder limit based on TAC. So let's say everyone is allowed 3 fish. Who cares when you go get them. Should be able to go get those fish all at once or however you want.

totally agree, those three should also be a combined weight so you can catch one, two , or three dependant on area and biomass size. we have choices in our area to target sizes. hunt a bigger or go chicken plucking.

 

[Fair Weather Fisherman]

It’s a sport fishery, the days of saving on a grocery bill by sport fishing is long gone if you own a boat that can run offshore. The new limits are what they are and if they maintain the stocks for future generations it’s the right thing to do. The old days are gone. Fishing is really about enjoying being out on the ocean, catching some fish and good conversation, it’s about the whole experience. I’ve sat on many boards and it’s a tiring thankless commitment that puts one in a tough place when hard decisions have to be made and they aren’t the preferred decision but the best option and many times the only option. I highly recommend if you have the energy to ***** and complain to sign up and get involved, you will see for yourself and it will be a humbling experience. Hats off to all involved donating their time for the cause, it’s very appreciated.

 

[Eden Island]

Don't mind different area openings, I don't believe the fleet is as mobile as some make it out to be. Someone isn't going to pull a 26ft boat 6 hours up island for one halibut when they had months of open halibut down south.

Probably most of the fleet isn't that mobile, but TC, Port McNeil and Hardy are full of boats that trailer up island to fish salmon, halibut, lings, etc. My wife and I cruise and fish in that area for up to 30-40 days a year. All the halibut I've ever caught have been in area 12 - and I'm from Victoria. But I don't just go to catch halibut. Lots of sea mammals, salmon and halibut are a bonus.

I'd support fighting for an increased share of the catch, and a lower annual limit makes sense to me, but I don't understand enough to know why that hasn't been recommended.

 

[Hardy Guy]

Yeah area 11 and 12 are not a secret anymore ...... not for a few years now

 

[SG2.0]

There are fundamental problems with this whole situation.

First one is who needs to bonk 10 halibut in a year? Noone needs that much per licence holder.

Second one. How can you tell a licence holder they are allowed 10 fish yet only one fish in possession? It's like a backward trick for fisheries managment. Then say we'll it's only open during this specific time.

Be way better off for everyone if they based the yearly licence holder limit based on TAC. So let's say everyone is allowed 3 fish. Who cares when you go get them. Should be able to go get those fish all at once or however you want.

Again, please read earlier in this thread, the 10 halibut allowance makes zero difference to amount we catch. So reducing it does ZERO to help us.

 

[SG2.0]

Probably most of the fleet isn't that mobile, but TC, Port McNeil and Hardy are full of boats that trailer up island to fish salmon, halibut, lings, etc. My wife and I cruise and fish in that area for up to 30-40 days a year. All the halibut I've ever caught have been in area 12 - and I'm from Victoria. But I don't just go to catch halibut. Lots of sea mammals, salmon and halibut are a bonus.

I'd support fighting for an increased share of the catch, and a lower annual limit makes sense to me, but I don't understand enough to know why that hasn't been recommended.

IT DOESN'T HELP US! That is why. Annual limit reducing doesn't make ANY difference in slowing our consumption of TAC... *pounds head against wall*

 

[Eden Island]

IT DOESN'T HELP US! That is why. Annual limit reducing doesn't make ANY difference in slowing our consumption of TAC... *pounds head against wall*

I keep hearing that. I just haven't read a simple explanation.

In my simple brain, if we reduced annual limit to 0, we would catch 0 fish. Somewhere between 0 and 10 is a number that doesn't use up the allowable catch, other factors being equal.

 

[ship happens]

We should be progressive with our fisheries managment. However it's allocated right now clearly isn't working. Super confusing and very inefficient imo.

@SG2.0 To go re-read 500 replies in this thread is no happening. So much chit chat and @Eden Island is kinda right. There has not been a simple explanation whatsoever on this thread.

 

[SG2.0]

Avg angler (license holder) catches between 1 and 2 halibut a season. So reducing from 10 to 6 makes zero difference mathematically.

 

[ziggy]

Totally wrong in many peoples minds!!! Buying quota is privatizing a common property resource that belongs to all Canadians. It supports a very dangerous and negative trend to further reducing the right of all Canadians to go and catch a fish that already belongs to them. If you don't believe go and try to catch a salmon or cod on the east coast. People who buy quota for rec fishing should be named and shamed IMH!!

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said privatizing common property. That’s exactly what the leased quota already is. I have no problem with commercial guys that fish, having quota , but not those who don’t leave the living room!
Issue now is that quota was privatized, it is not common property and will never become public again because it’s the gift that keeps on giving. As for buying it, it really doesn’t matter, unless we believe by not buying somehow it will be magically returned to the government for reallocation. Would be great if that happened, but I currently don’t see it happening?