Just thinking about the 88/12 split between commercial and sport. Last years 12% cap was 1,376,400 lbs of halibut and IPHC staff recommendations for 2008 is 967,200 lbs, for a percentage change of 29.7%. DFO's current preditions are that next years catch could be as much a 500,000 lbs above 2007's cap of 1,376,400 lbs for a total of 1,876,400 lbs. If DFO sticks to the 88/12 split and accepts IPHC recommendations for Halibut distribution for all areas (Washington to Bering Sea) the BC recreational sector will have to decrease there current catch limits by 48.45% to match the 2008 numbers.
The two major problems I have with this is:
The 88/12 split that the DFO has allocated between the commercial and recreational fisheries is not reflecting current issues and changes to the total harvest. As the value of halibut increases in the commercial sector, the recreational sector will be pressured to decrease there catch.
Why does Canada have a 29.7% decrease in their halibut quota when the USA has a decrease of only 4.7%, especially if halibut are a migratory species? The US allready had 82.2% of the catch in 2007. They want to increase their percentage to 86.4% for 2008. Since the majority of the US catch is commercial based, Barbender is right on the money when he says that the IPHC is trying to protect their own interests.
Anyway, just my two cents on this bright sunny Saturday morning[8D]