Survey: Recreational Halibut Fishery in BC – Your Input Matters

[Capt_Ed]

I can’t help but think we have the Americans force feeding a cut on Recreational TAC, but still coming up here to take advantage of what little they left us with. I say we have a very hard look how much of our TAC is caught by foreign fishers and how it can be reduced. Maybe an out of country Halibut Stamp or require them to purchase Commercial TAC. If they complain let them know why!

this is not a reduction in Sports TAC its an overall BC reduction in TAC

 

[ziggy]

this is not a reduction in Sports TAC its an overall BC reduction in TAC

I’m missing your point. If there’s a cut in TAC is shared right, 85-15?

 

[Capt_Ed]

I’m missing your point. If there’s a cut in TAC is shared right, 85-15?

Your absolutely correct , your post made it sound ,to me, like it was sports only.

 

[trophywife]

yes, so you bought quota as commercial, guess what happens to your quota? this is horrible politicking with peoples lively hoods.

cut the americans out of our sport fishing period. Canadians supporting Canadians.
Seems the theme in Bam with Americans is that they are too embarrassed to come.
The bigger travelling boats come and go, I dont even think they step off their boats.

 

[searun]

yes, so you bought quota as commercial, guess what happens to your quota? this is horrible politicking with peoples lively hoods.

cut the americans out of our sport fishing period. Canadians supporting Canadians.
Seems the theme in Bam with Americans is that they are too embarrassed to come.
The bigger travelling boats come and go, I dont even think they step off their boats.

Well you may (or may not) be aware but there are US based guide/charter services operating out of US ports in WA State whom are advertising and facilitating taking their guests to fish for both salmon and halibut in BC waters - notably Areas 121 - 123.

Canada attempted to curb this by implementing a Condition of License that stated to retain halibut a US non-resident had to have purchased their BC Tidal Fishing license in Canada not the US or online....well - easy work around is they have been getting some stores in BC to send BC printed licenses down to their US customers via mail system or e-mailing the PDF. This is how they get around the C&P enforcement. Similarly they catch Chinook in CA waters when these offshore areas are closed and skirt back across the border saying they were caught on the US side.
Its a growing problem that has been previously brought to the attention of DFO - but not much appetite to address it. Fairly certain some of the folks on this forum whom fish in Areas 121 - 123 have seen this happening under their noses, and feel powerless to do anything about it.

So now you know why there are fewer US boats staying here in Bamfield.

Maybe given the way our US friends treated Canada at the IPHC there might be more appetite to deal with them now.