Derby
Crew Member
HALIBUT UPDATE
WE WILL BE FISHING....
While we are extremely angry with DFO's short sighted decision not to amend the halibut allocation formula, rest assured we will be fishing this year.
Information we have received from DFO is that anglers and the hundreds of businesses that support them should expect to operate with a similar season as 2010. Specifically, a season that runs into the fall and with possession limits of 1 per day, 2 in possession. We are hearing "like last year" in the halls at DFO.
We will continue to fight Ottawa's continuing neglect of the sport fishery, but in the meantime our advice to anglers is continue to "go fishing!" But please remember that we need you to write letters, phone MPs and give us your much needed support. Our fight with Ottawa is by no means over. In fact, it has just begun!!!
The Minister also made announcements around the new public permit system for 2011 and the long term solutions. We see these as two approaches.
2011:
The short term looks challenging for DFO as they will try create a system in which the public can purchase or lease additional access. We are waiting to see the details and we will take the time to review their suggestions. Our Fisheries Committee will welcome your perspectives and will work towards recommendations for a sector-wide approach. We would not encourage anyone to jump into this new system until we fully understand its future implications.
2012:
We will work diligently in every planning and consultation process to develop the kinds of plans that we feel the sector needs for 2012 and beyond.
In the meantime we encourage you to get back to your sales, sell with confidence and let us do the tedious committee work. It's hard, frustrating and there are days when we want to throw a chair through the window. But we still need your help. Make your opinions on this matter known, participate in our actions and come to the town hall meetings.
An election is in the wind and MP's will want to know if anglers will roll over or stand up and keep fighting!
Your Team at the SFI.
More details on the Halibut town hall meetings please visit www.bchalibut.org
NEWS RELEASE (click link for full page version)
For Immediate ReleaseFebruary 15, 2011
B.C. Sportfishing Coalition
SPORT FISHERS SLAM HALIBUT PLAN
RICHMOND - The B.C. Sportfishing Coalition panned Fisheries Minister Gail Shea's plan for the 2011 recreational halibut fishery. "Minister Shea and Conservative MPs in B.C. have abandoned recreational anglers and sided with a small group of well-connected commercial quota holders," said coalition spokesperson Rob Alcock. "The decision to leave the halibut allocation policy unchanged will punish recreational anglers, the businesses that support them, and the thousands of people who are employed in sport fishing in the province."
In 2003, former Fisheries Minister Robert Thibault allocated 88% of Canada's Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of halibut to 436 commercial quota holders and allocated 12% to the province's 100,000 recreational halibut anglers. Recreational anglers have long opposed the policy and argued that it privatizes Canada's common-property halibut resource.
Since 2003, recreational anglers have faced shortened seasons and a 50% reduction in catch limits. During the same period, commercial halibut quota became a tradable commodity and in 2010 less than half of the 436 commercial quota holders actually fished their catch. The rest simply leased out their rights and collected royalty cheques. Amazingly, while DFO claims that the commercial fishery is accountable, DFO staff now acknowledge that they do not know who actually owns the 436 commercial quotas that control 88% of Canada's halibut TAC.
"Shea's suggestion that individual anglers can now seek to lease quota from commercial quota holders is confirmation of her view that Canada's halibut resource is private property owned by the lucky few," said Alcock. "Over the past two months, recreational anglers have held meetings, written letters and sought the support of B.C.'s Conservative MPs. I expect they will remember this decision when those MP's look to anglers for support in the coming months," said Alcock.
-30-
Statement by Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
WE WILL BE FISHING....
While we are extremely angry with DFO's short sighted decision not to amend the halibut allocation formula, rest assured we will be fishing this year.
Information we have received from DFO is that anglers and the hundreds of businesses that support them should expect to operate with a similar season as 2010. Specifically, a season that runs into the fall and with possession limits of 1 per day, 2 in possession. We are hearing "like last year" in the halls at DFO.
We will continue to fight Ottawa's continuing neglect of the sport fishery, but in the meantime our advice to anglers is continue to "go fishing!" But please remember that we need you to write letters, phone MPs and give us your much needed support. Our fight with Ottawa is by no means over. In fact, it has just begun!!!
The Minister also made announcements around the new public permit system for 2011 and the long term solutions. We see these as two approaches.
2011:
The short term looks challenging for DFO as they will try create a system in which the public can purchase or lease additional access. We are waiting to see the details and we will take the time to review their suggestions. Our Fisheries Committee will welcome your perspectives and will work towards recommendations for a sector-wide approach. We would not encourage anyone to jump into this new system until we fully understand its future implications.
2012:
We will work diligently in every planning and consultation process to develop the kinds of plans that we feel the sector needs for 2012 and beyond.
In the meantime we encourage you to get back to your sales, sell with confidence and let us do the tedious committee work. It's hard, frustrating and there are days when we want to throw a chair through the window. But we still need your help. Make your opinions on this matter known, participate in our actions and come to the town hall meetings.
An election is in the wind and MP's will want to know if anglers will roll over or stand up and keep fighting!
Your Team at the SFI.
More details on the Halibut town hall meetings please visit www.bchalibut.org
NEWS RELEASE (click link for full page version)
For Immediate ReleaseFebruary 15, 2011
B.C. Sportfishing Coalition
SPORT FISHERS SLAM HALIBUT PLAN
RICHMOND - The B.C. Sportfishing Coalition panned Fisheries Minister Gail Shea's plan for the 2011 recreational halibut fishery. "Minister Shea and Conservative MPs in B.C. have abandoned recreational anglers and sided with a small group of well-connected commercial quota holders," said coalition spokesperson Rob Alcock. "The decision to leave the halibut allocation policy unchanged will punish recreational anglers, the businesses that support them, and the thousands of people who are employed in sport fishing in the province."
In 2003, former Fisheries Minister Robert Thibault allocated 88% of Canada's Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of halibut to 436 commercial quota holders and allocated 12% to the province's 100,000 recreational halibut anglers. Recreational anglers have long opposed the policy and argued that it privatizes Canada's common-property halibut resource.
Since 2003, recreational anglers have faced shortened seasons and a 50% reduction in catch limits. During the same period, commercial halibut quota became a tradable commodity and in 2010 less than half of the 436 commercial quota holders actually fished their catch. The rest simply leased out their rights and collected royalty cheques. Amazingly, while DFO claims that the commercial fishery is accountable, DFO staff now acknowledge that they do not know who actually owns the 436 commercial quotas that control 88% of Canada's halibut TAC.
"Shea's suggestion that individual anglers can now seek to lease quota from commercial quota holders is confirmation of her view that Canada's halibut resource is private property owned by the lucky few," said Alcock. "Over the past two months, recreational anglers have held meetings, written letters and sought the support of B.C.'s Conservative MPs. I expect they will remember this decision when those MP's look to anglers for support in the coming months," said Alcock.
-30-
Statement by Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans