That is a good question.
All I know is that as I recall, the IPHC told us to expect further cuts in overall TAC for the 2019 season. It is my understanding that the numbers of another 15-30% reduction could be seen.
This is a topic that needs to be brought to the foreground as I fear it will be lost in all the SRKW issues. Fall meetings are approaching. I for one feel that we need to again examine the Guiding principals and take a long look at the practicality of sticking with making a full season and second fish the priority.
ANYONE AND EVERYONE who has thoughts on the guiding principles and or suggestions as to how to regulate the season SHOULD AND NEEDS to at the very least forward those thoughts to their local SfAC chair. Better yet come to the fall meetings, be heard and ensure that your local SFAC is making recommendations that accurately represent the area anglers beliefs. This is hard to do wen no one says anything until after it is too late.
Personally, I would like to see less restrictive size limits in the spring shoulder season and if need be reduced size limits in July and Aug. The majority of tac is caught in those two months, yet our average WPUE recreationally sat at what, around 16lbs for 2017. That alone suggests an overwhelming percentage of fish caught during those, months are very small anyway. 68k fish caught at a total of 1.1m lbs rough numbers equals 16lb average size. Again rough numbers.
So how many under 16 lbs did we kill to get the average down. Also more anglers do not get the second Fish than do. Although not as simplistic as made sound, in it’s simplest terms that is how it is.
I for one do not support the notion that 11month seasons and 2 fish limits for the sake of being able to promise full coolers, should be prioritized over preserving the very unique and separate aspect of sport fishing that is Halibut fishing. In many places this priority of being able to “top up coolers” has all but ended the unique sport of Halibut fishing and has turned it into nothing more than a meat fishery and an extension of salmon fishing.
Halibut fishing is a separate aspect of our sport, therefore a somewhat separate season for less restrictive/ more traditional Halibut fishing is not
that unrealistic to ask for. Also a decent spring season would not only provide an oportunity of less restrictive fishing for those who wish to actually Halibut fish, it may also generate added slower season revenue.
Before anyone jumps on the tired old “that’s not fair to those who can only get out here in the summer” excuse. Please consider this. Hunting has separate species specific seasons based on many factors. Non of them being that those who can only take holidays in July and August should be able to hunt on their holidays. To be honest I do not care if Halibut remains open in August if it comes at the same cost we have been forced to accept lately. Again a decent spring shoulder season may very well provide better oportunity as well as added revenue for those who count on it. At worst it gives back a little that has been lost by those who place
High importance on the enjoyment of this unique part of fishing. While still giving all fishers the same oportunity to take part in it.
I can hear people saying that would
Drive the XRQ purchases up if the busiest months had more size restrictions. I disagree, especially if the lodges get on board with promoting spring Halibut fishing instead of using Halibut as a way to sell trips on the promise of full coolers with summer salmon guests.
If I am wrong aboutXRQ, are regions of Alaska on the right track in their understanding that most tac is taken by guided sport fishers.? Therefore putting slot restrictions on guided fish and no slot for do it yourself sport fishers ? If XRQ is going to go up anyway why not do this then. At least then wen XRQ is used it will not provide the wealthier fishers with the payed for privilege of being able to keep bigger fish than the blue collar family guy. Personally , I am not sure how I feel about the alaska model as it seems divisive, and a very short jump from having rec fishers with two separate Quota’s and then fighting over the biggest piece.
If further reductions in TAC are coming, what will be asked of us next.
I have heard all kinds of ideas from different people from various levels of involvement to no involvement. Things like no anchors, no scent, even no bait have been tossed around in conversations. Nothing official, just conversations.
I will be putting forward a more detailed request to my chair that this Halibut thing gets a new look and an honest assessment of what has been driving the decisions made to date. More importantly an honest look at how it may look if we go a different route than we have been spiralling down for the last decade.
My two bits.