Survey: Recreational Halibut Fishery in BC – Your Input Matters

[Derby]

Hi SFAB,

As discussed by the Halibut Working Group and Groundfish Committee, it was agreed that the Halibut Principles Priority Survey be updated and shared more widely ahead of the 2026 season. This link, Recreational Halibut Fishery in BC – Your Input Matters, will be distributed through multiple channels, including social media, organizational updates, and online publications. We ask that you share the link with your SFAC members and encourage them to share it too. The survey will remain open until January 9th. To support participation, we will send out the link and description in mid-December and again during the week prior to the survey’s closing date. Survey: Recreational Halibut Fishery in BC – Your Input Matters

The SFAB is seeking input from anglers across BC to help shape its recommendations to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for the 2026 halibut season and beyond.

We want to hear what matters most to you when it comes to recreational halibut fishing in BC. Your priorities, concerns, and ideas will help future management to reflect the values of the fishing community.

Please complete the brief survey, linked here, by January 9, 2026

 

[Whole in the Water]

Just filled it out. Thanks SFAB for this survey to gather user input for decision making - great approach and much appreciated!

 

[Hardy Guy]

Done. Be interesting to here the results.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Done aswell!

 

[trophywife]

done. thanks.

 

[chille51]

Done

 

[salmonkiller01]

Done

 

[searun]

Please let all your friends know about the survey - this is a significant opportunity to provide feedback/input that will shape the guiding principles the SFAB Halibut Working Group will follow when examining regulation choices for 2026 season and beyond.

Important considerations for SFBC members as to why their feedback is critical are:

1. The halibut biomass has been steadily declining since 2012 – as a result the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has been reducing the available Total Allowable Catch (TAC) quite significantly.
2. While we do not as yet have the 2025 IPHC stock assessment, which will guide decisions regarding how much TAC Canada will have to work with in 2026, it is more likely than not we will face further reductions
3. In the 2023 and 2024 seasons we did in fact run out of available halibut TAC, resulting in early season closure of our fishery
4. In 2025, the SFAB attempted to avoid an early season closure by implementing a 1 fish under 102cm regulation – that resulted in a predicted underage (leaving TAC un-fished), but achieved the goal that the season will likely remain open until December 31

The survey seeks your input regarding potential choices or trade-off’s the SFAB could implement in the coming seasons to address lower available TAC in order to balance what we have available to fish and creating a fishery that most participants would like to see implemented – thus, you are being asked for your input via this survey.

Halibut and the regulations choices the SFAB considers and ultimately recommends to DFO has been a HOT topic debated extensively here on this forum. Many posters here have expressed frustrations they do not have access to providing input or guidance for the SFAB to consider.

Well here is your opportunity - survey away please.

Best regards!

 

[Capt_Ed]

done, I hope all the surveys help

 

[Derby]

At this point we have surpassed last years total particapes already.. Please forward this to friends and fishing partners.

 

[Tips Up]

Good survey with thoughtful questions. Did not have to choose least of evils.

 

[JWS]

done and shared. Thank you