Bit confused over the comment that DFO stated the reason for the short notice closure was the September and October data showed high catch rates - where did that happen? Its not in the FN, and certainly never discussed with the SFAB. We did see a significant increase in catch for August associated with effort and the amendment to allow 2 unders to be retained in daily possession (up from 1). It was the SFAB that requested DFO review the data and make certain we were in an overage position. My experience has been the Department has always acted honourably and with integrity working with us to do our best to manage with the regulatory tools available to optimize our use of the available TAC.
Insofar as the delay in data is concerned, I believe this data delay has been explained in other posts previously, but I will take a stab at a quick summary - there's way more to it than I can cover in one post.
Recreational catch estimates come from 3 sources. First is the creel surveys conducted dockside by DFO staff, where that data provides a measurement of average vessel catch per unit effort (CPUE). DFO in conjunction with creel, conducts regular overflights to count the number of vessels in each area they have Creel surveys taking place. That produces an average CPUE or how many fish each vessel catches in a day of fishing. Then in simple terms the average CPUE is multiplied by the number of vessels counted and applied to produce a preliminary estimate.
This estimate is later adjusted to include the second source of data - guide or lodge vessels that completed log books to use the actual catch numbers from the log books, not the average CPUE (as a method to correct the data as much as possible). Again, Lodge and Guide vessels counted in the overflights are removed from the original estimates, and the actual catch data is inserted into augment/correct the creel estimates. Guide/Lodge data corrections usually take place several months after the fact as they wait for log books etc to be turned in.
In addition to the Creel estimates, the third source of data is the internet survey - this is IRec. The IRec data is reviewed for accuracy and in some instances fishers are contacted to query survey responses where there may be errors. Generally IRec is available within a month or 2, but as in Guide/Lodge data is being actively reviewed and adjusted sometimes months after the fact.
A lot of moving parts and follow up necessary to ensure the estimates are accurate - which takes time. So little wonder there is a 1 month delay in producing the first preliminary estimates - which again, are later corrected once additional follow up work is completed to firm up the final estimate a few months later. Worth noting again, we are at present (as of October) only working with preliminary data not the final adjusted estimates that include more robust analysis of other data sources such as IRec and Guide/Lodge log books.
Hope that helps frame the complex data environment we all (DFO and recreational community) are working within to make decisions regarding how we manage our recreational halibut fishery.
