Benefits
Participation in the proposed quota transfer licence program will be voluntary. Benefits are likely positive for participants; however, these benefits were not quantified or monetized.
Businesses which provide recreational fishing services (e.g. guides, lodges, marinas) and that participate in the program, are assumed to receive neutral or positive incremental benefits beyond costs (i.e., profits). A total of 26 experimental fishery licences have been issued to businesses over 2011 and 2012. Of the businesses that participated in the experimental fishery in 2011, approximately 30% also participated in 2012. Since the program is voluntary, repeat participation suggests an anticipation of positive or neutral net benefits through participation; those businesses that anticipate net costs are unlikely to participate a second time. Businesses may use quota to minimize late season cancellations, expand the fishing experience for guests or for other means to maintain or increase profits.
If there is an increase in recreational fishing activity due to the proposed licence, there may be indirect benefits to businesses that support the recreational fishing sector (e.g. accommodations, fuel etc). The scale of these benefits would depend on the location and type of recreational activity that occurs.
Individual Canadian fishers may also voluntarily access additional halibut fishing opportunities under the program, or may do so under the licence of a participating business. Such participants are assumed to receive benefits in the form of enjoyment and fish, at least equal to the costs of participation. These net benefits would be incremental to those achieved under the regular recreational fishery, as the participants have increased access to halibut. A total of 111 experimental fishery licences have been issued to individual fishers in 2011 and 2012. Of the individuals that participated in the experimental fishery in 2011, approximately 23% also participated in 2012.
Direct economic benefits will accrue to participating fishers and businesses. The majority of these benefits are likely to accrue to BC resident fishers. Over the past five years in BC, Canadians purchased approximately 250,000 tidal water licences with about 40% fishing for halibut; BC residents purchased over 80% of the licences. In addition, the majority of participants in the 2011 experimental fishery were individuals who intended to use the licence for personal fishing purposes. 2 The number of businesses that provide recreational fishing services that participated in the experimental licence program is small (<50). The total number of businesses that provide tidal water recreational fishing services in BC is unknown, with many located in rural and remote areas. There may be benefits to Canadians more generally, from improved conservation and management of the halibut fishery.
