I think both aspects of the current halibut management approach suck and should be treated by the rec fishing community equally. Why has there been no talk of rejecting the 3% pittance of a reallocation outright? I'd like to hear talk of a bold statement by the rec community like dumping a symbolic 3% of the halibut quota in rotting halibut at DFO offices, MP offices or parliament to show them what we think of their "long-term solution" - i.e. we don't want it, we want what we asked for in the first place - a system that doesn't gift a common property resource to commercial individuals and that allows a certainty of access and use by the Canadian public.
Yes, the current halibut "management" model sucks. In all aspects.
But...
Your suggestion is rather akin to
cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Let's see if I read this right...
You suggest we reject the 3% in it's entirety. By doing so our season would certainly be
extremely short this year. For everyone involved.
On one hand I will admit that particular action would get a Whole
LOT of Anglers Mighty Pissed.
And if that is your intent,
well... it looks like you've found the recipe for success.
On the other, working towards maximizing the potential of our fishery, while perhaps not exactly making those same Folks overly happy with the situation, would at least allow the opportunity for all of us to realize a more realistic season.
Does that suggest we "
buy in" to what has been proffered? Absolutely
NOT!
There is
NO WAY we will ever settle on the quota purchase
scheme (for that is very much what it is)!
There is also
NO WAY we will ever give up the efforts towards Fair & Equitable Access.
EVER!
But amongst ourselves, we have the opportunity to adapt somewhat to the current less-than-desirable situation we find ourselves in. A short-term, one-off set of conditions that are self-imposed in order to maximize our access over the course of this singular season. With the caveat that if implemented, any such condition(s) reflect our collective response to the overly onerous situation of this one particular season, and are
not to be carried forward into future seasons down the road.
Risky? Perhaps. A serious amount of focus would obviously have to be on the caveat to ensure that is
completely understood.
We have an opportunity here, even while under duress, to try and work towards a lengthier season. For all of us.
Do we give up the ongoing fight?
Hardly!! In fact our efforts might well be enhanced by internally dealing with this problematic situation on our own. It indicates a departure from the
All Or Nothing approach, and that we can to some extent, chart our own course when faced with demonstrably harmful "management" approaches. Sacrifices, however small, can and do help garner public support for our cause.
Of course there is always the other route. Intentionally set out to
Enrage as many as is possible in the hope that anger can be translated into successful action. Personally, I prefer to at least attempt to keep as many as possible if not happy, at least able to enjoy their outings for as long as is possible...
"Dumping" any fish as you suggest very much gives the wrong signal IMHO. To most of us, this resource is precious. Not something to be simply & wantonly wasted in order to make a political point.
To refuse it would be a horrible idea and would tell the government that you're not willing to play within the system. As f*cked up as the system is, there is a well defined game that is played in politics and you either play the game or you don't play at all.
So we let them know its just not enough and keep pushing, hopefully get more next year.
You certainly aren't "
out to lunch" in this regard Poppa.
Bang - On is more like it.
Nobody besides the politicians like "
The Game". Least of all myself. Never set out to become so damn involved, and gotta admit the headaches and bellyaches often make me wonder just why the hell I even am. But the current approach is an insult to me, as much so to the vast majority of those I know. When faced with injustice, we must do what we are able to counter that. And if that means playing their little game, so be it. The alternatives are very much of nightmarish proportions...
Cheers,
Nog