Early Halibut Opening

[Doug]

After discussions with others who attended the meeting, and with having this year’s halibut fishery cared in stone and there is nothing that can be done to change it. We find we need to get our ducks in a row and do some investigations and get the facts before having a meeting.

After experiencing this year’s halibut fishery everyone will have a better understand of how the new regulations have affected them.

There will be a halibut fishery meeting in the fall, and we are hoping to have as many fishermen as possible, SFAB members and other effected attend the meeting. We need to voice our concerns to the ground fish working groups and then they will forward it to DFO. We all need to work together.

If anyone wants an earlier meeting, please step up and take the lead.

 

[Eden Island]

The notice is out - https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=317518&ID=all

Confirmed:
- April 1 opening
- 102 cm max
- 1 per day/1 in possession
- 10 for the year

Onward.

 

[SG2.0]

The notice is out - https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=317518&ID=all

Confirmed:
- April 1 opening
- 102 cm max
- 1 per day/1 in possession
- 10 for the year

Onward.

I hope I’m wrong but think this reg will not optimize our TAC this year.

 

[ziggy]

I hope I’m wrong but think this reg will not optimize our TAC this year.

Could be a lack of Southern Guests as well. Not sure how this will play out.

 

[fishinforever]

Sucks big time for the South Island

 

[Old Blue]

Sucks big time for the South Island

I think it sucks for the whole Island in general. It barely even effects the lodges up in the Gwai as they really don't get too many bigger fish except by chance salmon fishing.

 

[Fair Weather Fisherman]

Thanks to everyone involved that worked on the 2025/26 Halibut sport fishery. I look forward to the opening.

 

[Capt_Ed]

I think it sucks for the whole Island in general. It barely even effects the lodges up in the Gwai as they really don't get too many bigger fish except by chance salmon fishing.

th
thats not really the case in the Charlottes. Notice my chef ,on the left caught his on a mooching rod. mine took about 15 minutes , his was a hour and a half

 

[profisher]

For most people who have to run a fair distance to get to their halibut spots it will be difficult to justify the expenses to catch and bring home a fish that would be cheaper to buy in the store. You can't even justify it buy telling yourself at least a 102cm fish will give me a big battle and be fun to catch. Long time loyal southcoast charter clients will be out for the same reason...are they going to pay a guide $700-$1000 plus ferries, lodgings to go bring home a 20-25 pound halibut...and with not good odds you can find those to keep? Not a chance.

 

[scott craven]

It will certainly impact the swiftsure bank fishery.

 

[wildmanyeah]

It will certainly impact the swiftsure bank fishery.

The average size retained and reported
From area 19-20 ect was under 102.

So people must be lieing about what they retained last year

 

[SG2.0]

The average size retained and reported
From area 19-20 ect was under 102.

So people must be lieing about what they retained last year

It’s more the opportunity. Going to really destroy a chunk of the charter and lodge industry as well as over restrict locals.

 

[profisher]

The average size retained and reported
From area 19-20 ect was under 102.

So people must be lieing about what they retained last year

There is a difference between the weekend guy who goes out numerous times and keeps what he catches and can keep over a season and the guides who have to find fish under 102cms in a few hours. Halibut fishing is a mix of days with nothing or one or two nice ones and days with a few smalls. To find only smalls every trip is gettings like scoring a hat tick every game. (and most hali trips are 4 guys so you need 4 smalls now to make them as happy as they can be with all smaller fish.)

 

[wildmanyeah]

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.

 

[Doug]

I agree that most fish caught are probably under 102cm in area 19/20.
I don't know about a fish sizes report and sure would like a copy.

There are guys who fish race rock, and Oak Bay, and they know what they are doing and catch bigger than 102cm 70% of their trips.

Here is the halibut catch and release info from 2024 Creel Survey Report. Feb 2025

Page 17, table 15, is the recreational kept halibut catch estimates.
Page 18, table 16, is the released halibut catch estimates.

 

[wildmanyeah]

I agree that most fish caught are probably under 102cm in area 19/20.
I don't know about a fish sizes report and sure would like a copy.

There are guys who fish race rock, and Oak Bay, and they know what they are doing and catch bigger than 102cm 70% of their trips.

Here is the halibut catch and release info from 2024 Creel Survey Report. Feb 2025

Page 17, table 15, is the recreational kept halibut catch estimates.
Page 18, table 16, is the released halibut catch estimates.

You can take the weight and devide it by the piece count to get the average size caught,

This is obviously bias as it’s retain fish but the average sizes in most areas are below 15 pound fish.

 

[SpringVelocity]

Should have been opened from June to August. That was a mistake in my opinion.

Wasn't my call though.

 

[fishinforever]

Should have been opened from June to August.

lol just get rid of the South Island fishery entirely?

 

[profisher]

Should have been opened from June to August. That was a mistake in my opinion.

Wasn't my call though.

Yah for those 2 good tide days in area 19 in August.

 

[wolf]

Should have been opened from June to August. That was a mistake in my opinion.

Wasn't my call though.

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