It is indeed a sad day for halibut anglers in BC, but it has nothing to do with the SFAB process. It worked the way it was supposed to - a democratic process with representation from the entire coast that offers recommendations based on a majority vote from all areas. It was obvious based on the fact that the group was unable to achieve consensus that there was no way we would be able to make everyone happy, but I assume that because about 70% of the votes were in favour of the 115/83 option that the majority of halibut anglers in BC were able to accept what is now the recommendation as the least painful of a bunch of painful options.
It became clear pretty fast that given what in fact represents an 18% reduction in our TAC, and most important about a 35% reduction from what we would have caught in 2017 at 133/83 had we fished until December, that in order to remain under our 2018 TAC it was going to require drastic cuts. Remember, 133\83 caused a shut down on Sept 6th. It wasn't even close to achieving a full season. The idea that a 1\1 at 133 or even 124 would reduce catch enough to deal with the current TAC is far from the truth.
There was a tremendous amount of debate regarding the comparative costs\benefits associated with 1/1 vs 1/2 and it was once again obvious that individual values differ amongst different regions and types of fishery. There wasn't even clear consensus amongst lodges or charters or individual anglers as representative fishery types. At the end of the day you're looking at a 2 fish possession with one at 43 lbs and one at 15 lbs. Something to note is that based on the numbers of halibut landed in BC every year, that both of these weights fall well within the range of capturing the average size of the vast majority of halibut retained.
By the time the final recommendation was debated and voted on yesterday, the combined analysis and discussion of the SFAB was exhaustive, focussed, representative and as well informed by data as it can be. Please don't confuse attempts to manage the recreational fishery as some kind of pure science that is totally driven by data. Attempts to predict catch based on different parameters are quantified using a catch prediction model, but part of the inputs to that tool are attempts to predict angler behavior which is all based on expert opinion, long term knowledge, and not data. Every year the model improves based on performance. To attempt to ensure that individual preferences and values are incorporated as accurately as possible into the analysis, every year the process seeks grass roots advice and knowledge to help us understand what key values and guiding principles anglers want us to represent in the fishery through our local SFAC groups. The result is a set of halibut regulations that pleases no one, but is grudgingly accepted by the majority. The root of the problem isn't with the SFAB process or the skill set at that table, it lies in the fact that the recreational fishery in BC has been arbitrarily assigned a TAC in a domestic catch sharing plan that doesn't allow the fishery to achieve its social and economic potential.
If you didn't get the exact plan that meets your business needs or preference of fishing location and style then that is unfortunate, but please don't waste your time and energy trying to blame anyone or take shots at what is admittedly the most popular of a suite of unpopular options. The time has come for all of you internet heros, and all of your fishing buddies\suppliers\clients to step up to the plate by using either your wallet or your time and experience, or preferably both to create and fund a focused effort to gain an allocation amount that actually reflects the value of that fishery to BC coastal communities and the rest of Canada.
CP
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