Putting the shoe on the other foot

[Sushihunter]

http://www.canada.com/Putting+shoe+other+foot/4144518/story.html

Putting the shoe on the other foot





By Murray Whelan, Courier-Islander January 21, 2011



I've read with interest letters from Steve Lewis, among others, regarding DFO Halibut Allocation Policy and how it affects commercial and recreational anglers. I got a chance to hear Steve speak at the town hall meeting here in Campbell River Wed. Jan 19.
Mr. Lewis is a fine fellow but he needs to step back and listen to himself and other commercial halibut harvesters.

I know Steve to be an ardent hunter, so, let's use deer as an example, instead of halibut, both species being common property wildlife resources belonging to all Canadians.

What if the government granted the hunting rights for close to 90 per cent of the harvestable deer in Canada to a tiny percentage of private businessmen? While there are many more recreational hunters than market or commercial hunters, the private hunters harvesting and selling deer that belong to everybody get the lion's share from now on.
Steve, as a recreational hunter, your season might start late, or end early, depending upon availability. You might only be able to harvest one deer.

Now, there is no shortage of deer, but the government has decided that the commercial harvesters get most of them and recreational harvesters get what is left.
Is the shoe on the other foot yet?

The Minister of fisheries can solve the halibut shortage for recreational harvesters. There is really no shortage of fish, the government has just not allocated enough for the recreational fishery.

Murray Whelan

© Copyright (c) Postmedia News

 

[Cuba Libre]

yup----------

 

[Ding Dong!]

Part of the issue is that halibut is an international fish and does not wholly belong to Canada. Therefore we must wait each year to see how much fish we are divvied. So once DFO receives a grand portion, they then can start to mitigate based on priority. In fact, over the past number of years the biomass has declined in size creating a loss for all sectors. Recognizing that the fish given to Canada is from a larger circle of fish managed by IPHC, it can in turn be recognized that this portion is given over and above actual conservation measures that are granted to harvest 100%. Canada can only manage the fish that have been granted, and not a never ending supply of fish. This issue can be looked upon as a conservation concern, although many will argue that it is not. Just thoughts, nothing more.

Ding Dong!

 

[Charlie]

Part of the issue is that halibut is an international fish and does not wholly belong to Canada. Therefore we must wait each year to see how much fish we are divvied. So once DFO receives a grand portion, they then can start to mitigate based on priority. In fact, over the past number of years the biomass has declined in size creating a loss for all sectors. Recognizing that the fish given to Canada is from a larger circle of fish managed by IPHC, it can in turn be recognized that this portion is given over and above actual conservation measures that are granted to harvest 100%. Canada can only manage the fish that have been granted, and not a never ending supply of fish. This issue can be looked upon as a conservation concern, although many will argue that it is not. Just thoughts, nothing more.

Ding Dong!

NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We aren't talking salmon here! While I will conceed halibut do indeed migrate; however, the IPHC was set up to "CONSERVE" and "PROTECT" "OUR" halibut from "OVERFISHING!" It might be an international body... but that body would consist of U.S. and Canada, ONLY! The job of the IPHC is to determine the safe commercial harvestable amount that can be taken, from there on... Those halibut in Area 2B - ARE 100% CANADIAN HALIBUT that wholly belong to Canada, and more spicifically the citizens of British Columbia!

Regarding biomass in Area 2B... yes it has declined and there should be concerns there; however, the major decline is in weight - not numbers! And, there has been a slight increase in the average weight the last couple of years. That would probably be do to the IPHC recommendations? They seem to being a good job in that conservation area! Just my thoughts

 

[Ding Dong!]

NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We aren't talking salmon here! While I will conceed halibut do indeed migrate; however, the IPHC was set up to "CONSERVE" and "PROTECT" "OUR" halibut from "OVERFISHING!" It might be an international body... but that body would consist of U.S. and Canada, ONLY! The job of the IPHC is to determine the safe commercial harvestable amount that can be taken, from there on... Those halibut in Area 2B - ARE 100% CANADIAN HALIBUT that wholly belong to Canada, and more spicifically the citizens of British Columbia!

Regarding biomass in Area 2B... yes it has declined and there should be concerns there; however, the major decline is in weight - not numbers! And, there has been a slight increase in the average weight the last couple of years. That would probably be do to the IPHC recommendations? They seem to being a good job in that conservation area! Just my thoughts

I respect your observation Charlie, however halibut move from place to place and do cross boarders and may or may not return to the place in which they were born. I basically am talking in terms of what IPHC allows Canada which is based on weight. Therefor I am correct in my analogy if you read it as such and not based on individual fish. By mitigate, I was meaning the fish Canada has been granted to harvest, perhaps not the best term, however it is Canada's fish at that point.

 

[Islandgirl]

Awesome letter by Murray
Send it to your friends and Rellies.. get them to write letters too.
Letters to the local paper are better, I am learning!

We need to let Mr Duncan know that despite his best efforts WE know this is not conservation BUT allocation, and WE his EMPLOYERS are not happy with his performance!