Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing-related Issues & News => Topic started by: IronNoggin on December 11, 2010, 01:26:38 PM
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HiYa Folks,
The battle over access to this once common property resource has now commenced in earnest. Should the situation continue the way it is, recreational halibut fishing will most likely be cut off for all by some time in July. Not at all due to "conservation concerns" as this resource is doing better than most. Nope, the reason for the closure is completely due to the Dino having GIFTED 88% of the annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to 436 commercail operators. Many of which do not even bother to set foot on a boat, far preferring to lease their "Gift" at exorbitant rates to those who actually fish.
There are a series of town-hall style meeting being scheduled up and down the coast. Newspaper and magazine articles are out, and there are more to follow.
What the Government has done in the case of this once public resource is WRONG! Turning a public resource into a private commodity to the benefit of a handful of "Armchair" or "Slipper Skippers" must not be tolerated. This is the first step to privatization of all our fisheries folks - a VERY Dangerous trend!
Time to stand up and be counted Folks! Attend the meetings, get your buddies to do the same, write a few letters to your MP's, and get the message out there: We WILL NOT stand idly by and watch our access to common property fisheries be stripped away in favor of the already fat wallets of a handful of Fat Cat commercial harvesters!
A few items of note here:
http://www.canada.com/2010+halibut+season+...5310/story.html
http://www.canada.com/Dear+John+make+call/3955308/story.html
Related Poll in the Island Courier: http://www2.canada.com/courierislander/index.html
Nog - Engaged Firmly In This One!
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HiYa Folks,
The battle over access to this once common property resource has now commenced in earnest. Should the situation continue the way it is, recreational halibut fishing will most likely be cut off for all by some time in July. Not at all due to "conservation concerns" as this resource is doing better than most. Nope, the reason for the closure is completely due to the Dino having GIFTED 88% of the annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to 436 commercail operators. Many of which do not even bother to set foot on a boat, far preferring to lease their "Gift" at exorbitant rates to those who actually fish.
There are a series of town-hall style meeting being scheduled up and down the coast. Newspaper and magazine articles are out, and there are more to follow.
What the Government has done in the case of this once public resource is WRONG! Turning a public resource into a private commodity to the benefit of a handful of "Armchair" or "Slipper Skippers" must not be tolerated. This is the first step to privatization of all our fisheries folks - a VERY Dangerous trend!
Time to stand up and be counted Folks! Attend the meetings, get your buddies to do the same, write a few letters to your MP's, and get the message out there: We WILL NOT stand idly by and watch our access to common property fisheries be stripped away in favor of the already fat wallets of a handful of Fat Cat commercial harvesters!
A few items of note here:
http://www.canada.com/2010+halibut+season+...5310/story.html
http://www.canada.com/Dear+John+make+call/3955308/story.html
Related Poll in the Island Courier: http://www2.canada.com/courierislander/index.html
Nog - Engaged Firmly In This One!
Hey Nog,
Being a deckhand for many, many years, I don't agree with the leasing of quota at all. If you own quota, you should either have to fish it or sell it to another licensed, vessel owner. That's coming from every deckhand that gets screwed out of their crew share, as they are the ones that pay for the leasing fees on top of the Archipelago fees and all other expenses that are there. I still remember when the boat share was 20% and we made good god damn money too, but now you simply can't make it with the price dropping after the first unload as the market gets flooded.
However, a lot of these "skippers" your talking about were catching halibut off the Pribalof's back in the 8 day Rupert lay overs,as well as down here, before you were even an idea in your old mans you-know-what, and most of them { I'm not saying all} are the quota holders your talking about. When conventional 9 ft stuck gear was the only method, and only a certain breed of man could keep up. Now a days with your piddly arsed snap gear, anybody with half a brain can fish them, and this is the case, more than not in today's world. I'd like to see what you would do if you owned some quota. If your as smart as I think you are, you would also lease it to somebody willing to pay the price, so they can keep their livelihood going, and you could go on another out of province hunt, or whatever ;D
The difference here is the fact that if the halibut closes to the sport fishermen, you and all the other guides, as well as the individual sporty's, are in for a world of hurt, and although I don't think this is fair, you better realize that a lot of these quota's your sniveling about were damn well earned by some of the most respected old time fishermen that ever graced this friggin coast. Guys like the late Fred Kozy etc are probably rolling in their graves with crap like this being said. They are the ones who fed you your first piece of fish at the local diner when you were a little brat remember.
Fight for your right to ensure your fishery, as I think you are entitled to do so, just as the commercial fleet is also, but don't be yapping off about "slipper skippers" cause you aint been around long enough to even hold their sling shots on the stern, or bait a skate of gear , let alone tell people who they are. Wonder what your opinion would be if the "MAN" said your troll license was invalid come the new year ?? and the only other thing you knew how to do was fish halibut for a living. It's a two way street here Matt, and their not the bad guys. At least the quotas are still being fished, and with today's mandatory cameras on every boat, you don't see the never ending pumpkin patch of yellow eye off the stern like you used to either, so no fish go to waste. They have to move their gear in today's fishery.
Although I respect you and your opinions in a lot of ways Nog, your wrong, when it comes to lashing out against these men. They risked their lives to harvest halibut for the world to eat, in weather you wouldn't want to be in, on a 150' vessel let alone an old wooden 70 footer. I could show you 8mm film of the Blue Pacific #1 and Misty Moon that would make your eyes open wide to say the least. People think the Deadliest Catch boys are tough,, well meh!! their not even close to these gentlemen.
Another thing too. those fat wallets your talking about weren't always that way either, and to see a few fatter than others today is a good thing. It's no different than in any other industry. Just like the fat wallets of the over priced guides with their rich European clients. ;) ;D
Lash out at the "GOVERMENT" but don't bad mouth honest, hard knocks, working class commercial fishermen, and I would assume your "strong" feelings wouldn't be so strong, if you were just some guy, who wanted to go out and jig a couple off the swiftsure bank for take home fish. ;)
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I respect your opinion Bently. And it ain't the actual Fishermen I am ticked at. Many I count amongst my close Friends. And I have been there, and know the risks and hardships faced by these Men Of The Sea. I am however against those who sit at home, monopolize and lease quotas while never setting foot on a boat.
More so I am SERIOUSLY ANGRY at the Government for doing what they did. This WAS a Common Property resource. the government GAVE IT AWAY to private interests. They had no right to do so, and in fact that very action may well prove out to be Illegal (being investigated now). Those that were "gifted" this resource have every reason to be happy that they were. It created serious wealth. On the back of our resource. And I understand they will fight any action that attempts to reduce the amount of jingle that pours in for them. So be it. As I stated, the government had NO Business handing control of the resource (for free) over to those that it did. And, for the survival of guides, coastal Communities, and the everyday recreational fisher-people, I am more than willing to FIGHT! ;)
Keep an eye on this site: http://www.sfibc.com/
Methinks we can make a difference. It will be very much an Uphill Battle, but one we can win if we stick to our guns, and get a LOT of involvement!
Cheers,
Nog
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Hello:
As you all know the recreational sector's access to Pacific Coast Halibut been shut down twice in the last three years. If held to the current 88/12
allocation in 2011, we face an even shorter season.
The Sport Fishing Institute, British Columbia Wildlife Federation, the Southern Vancouver Island Anglers Association and the BC Federation of Driftfishers
have formed an alliance and we are on a mission to right the imbalance and unfair allocation of Canada's share of halibut.
I urge you to visit www.sfibc.com and learn more about this injustice that has 436 select people getting 88% of Canada's Natural Resource and
profiting all while extracting economic value from B.C. Furthermore I can't express how important it is that you get involved and join the effort. It is vital!!
Please pass this website on to all your friends, family and customers. Ask them to take a few minutes to read the documents. You don't have to be a
fisherman to realize that this is just not right. As a tax payer you will be appalled.
You have to act. You have to write letters.
This is not the hill that we will choose to die on!
www.sfibc.com
Please ensure that copies of all letters are sent to the SFI as well. We need to track our pressure.
Yours in Unity...
Rob Alcock
President - SFI
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Here are the options: Halibut Allocation 2011– Update and Forecast
How did we get here?
• 1991 – DFO gifts shares of the common property Canadian Halibut resource to 435 commercial fishermen based on their previous catch history. This was done to remove safety concerns for fishermen and crews that arose from competitive “derby style” fisheries, and to stabilize the supply of halibut to the market.
• 2000 – These same commercial fishermen grow concerned over the “uncompensated reallocation of halibut from the commercial sector to the recreational sector”. It is worth noting that these quota holders never paid a penny for their quota when it was first gifted to them by DFO, and then they wanted to be compensated for providing this same halibut back to its rightful owners – the people of Canada. These cries for compensation for their gifted quota by the quota holders resulted in a series of allocation framework meetings which resulted in the current 2003 Halibut Allocation Policy.
• 2003 – The Thibault Allocation Policy has 3 main components:
- The Canadian TAC available to the commercial and recreational fisheries are split to provide 88% to the 435 original quota holders, and 12% to the 100,000 participants in the public fishery.
- “a 12 per cent recreational catch ‘ceiling’ will be allocated to the recreational sector until both parties can develop an acceptable mechanism that will allow for adjustment of the recreational share through acquisition of additional quota from the commercial sector”.
- “I have also made a commitment that there will be no closure of the sport fishery in-season”.
• It is generally agreed based on significant improvements in recreational fishery catch accounting methods over recent years that the recreational catch was underestimated at this time, and that the 12% allocation allowed for little to no growth.
• 2008 – A series of meetings between the commercial sector, recreational sector, BC Ministry of Environment, First Nations representatives, and DFO produced a consensus agreement between the commercial and recreational sectors on a mechanism to transfer quota. This agreement was then rejected by DFO as not meeting the requirements of the “User Fee Act”, and “ministerial authority” requirements under the “Fisheries Act”. It is the assertion of the BCSFC that the real reason for its rejection is simply lack of political will to find a solution.
• Nov 2008. The recreational sector is closed in season for the first time in clear contravention of the 2003 allocation policy.
• 2010 – The Halibut Allocation Transfer Mechanism committee is struck and tasked with finding a solution to what DFO clearly acknowledges is a serious problem with the 88\12 allocation formulae. It produces a series of options. (See page 2)
• Oct 2010 – the recreational fishery is again closed in-season causing serious economic damage to tackle manufacturers, lodges, charters, tackle stores, marinas campgrounds and other service providers to the recreational fishery again, in clear violation of the 2003 allocation policy.
• Nov – Dec 2010 Uncertainty and instability cause further damage to the recreational fishery as the message that “the recreational halibut fishery in BC is closed.”
The Problem:
• For 2011 season, if the recreational fishery was restricted to its current 12% allocation and based on similar catch rates to 2010, if the season was to start on Feb 1st, it would end:
- July 15th with bag limits of 2 per day, 3 possession
- Aug 1st with bag limits of 2 per day, 2 in possession
- August 20th with bag limits of 1 per day, 2 in possession
All of these dates represent the “peak season” for fishing in BC. This would potentially cause economic disaster to many small coastal communities as businesses fail, tourist dollars dry up, and lodges and charters close their doors early.
Remember – all of this could happen in order to ensure that less than 500 individuals continue to reap huge profits from a common property resource they never had to pay for in the first place!
• • The bare minimum considered acceptable to the recreational fishery for the 2011 season is clear:
2 halibut per day, 2 in possession.
Season start – Feb 1st, 2001
Season end – Dec 31st, 2011
Taken from the SFI report on halibut.
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Here's the list of whom to fire your letters off to:
The Honourable Gail Shea
House of Commons
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Parliament Buildings, Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Canada
E-Mail: Min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Members of Parliament
Abbott, Jim (Hon.) AbbotJ@parl.gc.ca Kootenay—Columbia Conservative
Atamanenko, Alex AtamaA@parl.gc.ca British Columbia Southern Interior NDP
Cadman, Dona Cadman.D@parl.gc.ca Surrey North Conservative
Cannan, Ron CannaR@parl.gc.ca Kelowna—Lake Country Conservative
Crowder, Jean CrowdJ@parl.gc.ca Nanaimo—Cowichan NDP
Cullen, Nathan CulleN@parl.gc.ca Skeena—Bulkley Valley NDP
Cummins, John CummiJ@parl.gc.ca Delta—Richmond East Conservative
Davies, Don Davies.D@parl.gc.ca Vancouver Kingsway NDP
Davies, Libby DavieL@parl.gc.ca Vancouver East NDP
Day, Stockwell (Hon.) DayS@parl.gc.ca Okanagan—Coquihalla Conservative
Dhaliwal, Sukh DhaliS@parl.gc.ca Newton—North Delta Liberal
Donnelly, Fin n/a New Westminster—Coquitlam NDP
Dosanjh, Ujjal (Hon.) DosanU@parl.gc.ca Vancouver South Liberal
Duncan, John Duncan.J@parl.gc.ca Vancouver Island North Conservative
Fast, Ed FastE@parl.gc.ca Abbotsford Conservative
Fry, Hedy (Hon.) FryH@parl.gc.ca Vancouver Centre Liberal
Grewal, Nina GrewaN@parl.gc.ca Fleetwood—Port Kells Conservative
Harris, Richard M. HarriR@parl.gc.ca Cariboo—Prince George Conservative
Hiebert, Russ HiebeR@parl.gc.ca South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale Conservative
Hill, Jay (Hon.) HillJ@parl.gc.ca Prince George—Peace River Conservative
Julian, Peter JuliaP@parl.gc.ca Burnaby—New Westminster NDP
Kamp, Randy KampR@parl.gc.ca Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission Conservative
Lunn, Gary (Hon.) LunnG@parl.gc.ca Saanich—Gulf Islands Conservative
Lunney, James LunneJ@parl.gc.ca Nanaimo—Alberni Conservative
Martin, Keith (Hon.) MartiK@parl.gc.ca Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca Liberal
Mayes, Colin MayesC@parl.gc.ca Okanagan—Shuswap Conservative
McLeod, Cathy McLeod.C@parl.gc.ca Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo Conservative
Moore, James (Hon.) MooreJ@parl.gc.ca Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam Conservative
Murray, Joyce MurraJ@parl.gc.ca Vancouver Quadra Liberal
Savoie, Denise SavoiD@parl.gc.ca Victoria NDP
Saxton, Andrew Saxton.A@parl.gc.ca North Vancouver Conservative
Siksay, Bill SiksaB@parl.gc.ca Burnaby—Douglas NDP
Strahl, Chuck (Hon.) StrahC@parl.gc.ca Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon Conservative
Warawa, Mark warawm7@parl.gc.ca Langley Conservative
Weston, John Weston.J@parl.gc.ca West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country Conservative
Wong, Alice Wong.A@parl.gc.ca Richmond Conservative
HARD COPIES are GREATLY preferable! And please do send a copy off to Chris Bos (c.bos@shaw.ca) . He's tracking our efforts.
Please folks, this one is DAMN IMPORTANT!!
TIA!
Matt
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E-mail sent. Let's try for 5000 to there less than 500.
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Emails are fine and dandy Folks, but written Hard Copy requires a response. This is very much worth our while to do! Many will simply ignore the E's, but nearly all will (or at least task an underling with) replying.
Cheers,
Nog
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A big thanks to all of your who are writing letters and sending emails!
We would appreciate it if you would send a copy of your letters and emails to the SFI, so we can track the pressure we are applying!
They can be sent to: info@sportfishing.bc.ca
Also, you can visit www.sfibc.com for up to date information.
Rob Alcock just returned from what appears to be the last meeting of the Halibut Allocation Transfer Committee. The ball is back in the Governments court.
Rob has no confidence that the outcome of the process will favour the Recreational Sector. He will be providing a written report early next week.
It has become even more apparent that this issue will be resolved with Political Will
Please keep your letters coming!
Thanks,
Team SFI
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Important Town Hall Meeting January 18th
7:00 PM Beban Auditorium, Nanaimo
A totally inadequate, biased allocation system of Canada’s halibut will create a short season disaster for all of us. Come to hear the facts, and find out what you can do about it. Halibut is the concern now, but other species are scheduled for the same treatment by DFO….We need to send a message immediately that this is unacceptable.
Guest speakers will outline the issue, a panel representing several segments of the public fishery will give their perspectives and there will be an open mike session where you can ask questions and offer your comments, and suggestions.
There will be a raffle for a number of prizes, draw at the end of the meeting to help pay the costs of the hall rental. Come and bring a friend, this may be the most important contribution you make to future fishing for all of us.
EITHER WE STAND UP NOW OR BE STOOD UPON FOREVER!
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Time to get off our butts, get a few letters in and attend a meeting or two folks!
Important Public Town Hall Meetings Announced:
Ucluelet: January 6th 7pm Ucluelet Sea Plane Base Hall
Victoria: Jan 12th Location TBA
Nanaimo: Jan 18th Beban Park Auditorium
Victoria: Jan 19th, Location TBA
Hope to see some of you there! ;)
Cheers,
Nog
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There was an excellent turn-out at the Courtney/Comox meeting with well over a hundred concerned citizens in attendance. It was a very informative gathering, and the presentations from both organizers and attendees were first rate. Most present noted they will soon be firing off those all important letters if they haven't already.
More meetings are scheduled for the Island, all start at 7:00pm:
Ucluelet: January 6th Ucluelet Sea Plane Base Hall
Victoria: Jan 12th Sheraton 4 Points Victoria – West Shore Ballroom
Nanaimo: Jan 18th Beban Park Auditorium
Campbell River: Jan 19th Marine Heritage Centre 621 N Island Highway
http://www.sfibc.com/?page_id=204
Note that the final meeting is to be held in Campbell River, the home riding of John Duncan, one of the chief engineers of the fiasco we live under today. Just this morning a movement amongst those working for this cause was initiated to get as many as possible to that meeting to drive the point home to this man: http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/showthread.php?14647-Caravan-to-campbell-river
Methinks Mr. Duncan should wake up and smell the coffee. The situation he directly created is spinning out of control. With a margin of less than 2,400 votes in the last election, should he chose not to do so, he is likely enjoying his last moments as an MLA. Any that would like to get in on this one, feel free to either post on the relevant thread noted above, or shoot me a PM. I am sure something can be arranged to accommodate.
If this issue is of concern to you, I strongly suggest you attend these meetings. This holds especially true for those with concerns regarding the current structure of our Recreational Sector as a whole - there will Presenters that are more informed and enlightened on that subject, as well as the issue on hand, than I ever will be. Accordingly they will be able to answer your queries much better than I can here.
The letter campaign also continues, and for those concerned in this regard, I do suggest firing off a letter or two to the relevant government officials. The more of us that get behind this initiative, the better our odds of capturing the attention of those with the ability to change the current undesirable situation.
Cheers,
Nog
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A meeting regarding the current state of the commercial and recreational halibut allocations will be held at the Maritime Heritage Centre on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 7:00pm.
Guest speakers will outline the issue, a panel representing several segments of the public fishery will give their perspectives and there will be an open mike session where you can ask questions and offer your comments and suggestions. DFO has plans to develop ITQ fisheries for a number of different species including salmon and shellfish and this could be a disaster for sportfishing as both an industry and pastime.
Please let your presence be felt as this is an important issue for all of us!
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Hey Nog-- appreciate the time you are spending to get the word out., What folks have to realize is that halibut is the "thin edge of the wedge" This is all part of the drive by DFO to privatize our public fisheries resources. For those that think I am paranoid-- it has already happened with goeduck, blackcod, urchins and others. Crab, prawns and salmon are next. (Ask the guys that are involved in the shellfish discussions with industry and DFO if you dont believe this) We have to wake up and get Harper and co to realize that what is being proposed by DFO ( to make thier life easier) is WRONG-- Our marine resources belong to all of us-- If we dont get involved , we will end up with an eastcoast senario whereby all the fish belong to the commercials and you will not be allowed to go fishing ( Ever question why its illegal for a rec fisher to go trap a lobster???? Funny how that happende isnt it!!! )
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I agree with the above statement. I think it is time to divide the term "commercials" into categories just to make sure we know who we are talking about. Seems to me that there are two types:
1. The guys who do the fishing.
2. The guys who own the quotas.
And the discussion is not about the guys who do the fishing cuz there getting the shaft from the guys who own the quotas.
Would it be an option to force the quota owners to sell to commercial fisherman at a far better price so that makes up for the loss given to the sporties?
This quota thing....I am not sure.
IMO
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"...Recreational fishers have now realized that halibut allocation is the thin edge of the wedge. Right now, discussions between DFO and the fishing industry are taking place on privatizing crab and prawns. DFO is undoubtable eyeing other species as well. In English Common Law, dating back 800 years, the public has had the right to access marine fish resources. The government seems intent on destroying that principle. We can't let that happen. I hope others take the time to write DFO Minister Gail Shea and Prime Minister Stephen Harper to express their concerns."
Bryan Allen: http://www.canada.com/take+fishing+rights+away/4093923/story.html
Pay Attention here Folks! This can and will effect ALL of our fisheries if we continue to bow to DFO's "guidance"!
Get those letters in there!!
Nog
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Meeting Tomorrow Night, January 18, 7:00 pm, Bevan Park Auditorium, Nanaimo.
Should be a Good One! Hope a few of ya'll can make it. ;)
Cheers,
Nog
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Last of the Island Meetings tonight in Campbell River:
Town Hall Meeting January 19th
7:00 PM Maritime Heritage Centre
621 North Island Highway, Campbell River
This may well be amongst the most important issues faced by the recreational sector we have ever dealt with, and will certainly effect our access to all marine species down the road. I truly hope some of you can make it!
Cheers,
Nog
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Great showing last night Folks! Happy to know we are not alone in this one!!
Here's Duncan's official release on this issue from today:
Statement by John Duncan MP on Halibut Allocation
For immediate release
COURTENAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 – In recent weeks there has been considerable discussion on the issue of halibut allocation. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my position on this issue.
Concerned anglers want to ensure that they maintain their access to a public resource. As a recreational fisher, this is a position that I strongly support.
There have been many developments in recent years that have influenced the management of and pressures on BC’s halibut stocks. For example, BC’s commercial halibut fishery changed to 100% monitoring using camera technology in 2006, and has become integrated with the ground fishery. The design of this fishery has ended bycatch waste and depoliticised the allocation of the resource within the commercial sector. At the same time, the commercial sector of the recreational halibut fishery (guides and lodges) has grown dramatically to become an important contributor to our economy, but has also increased pressure on the recreational allocation.
We are currently in a cyclical decline in Halibut abundance on the West Coast, to the point that the current total allowable catch is about half of what it was four years ago. This obviously puts pressure on all users of the resource as they try to maintain their livelihoods and recreational pursuits in the face of decreasing catch. In response to this, it is understandable that people are focusing on who gets access to the fish.
The key concern that we must focus on, however, is the sustainability of the resource. Management of this fishery, including allocation decisions, should be based on science, thorough monitoring and good management principles. There are many examples historically to demonstrate that decisions based on politics rather than science rarely yield the best result for the fishery.
A lasting and equitable solution will require all of the parties to work together in good faith and with the best interest of the resource in mind. Our primary concern must remain the health and sustainability of the fishery, and any change must provide a fair balance between the unique West Coast requirements of the First Nation, recreation and commercial sectors.
For more information, please contact:
Minister's Office
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
Director of Communications
Michelle Yao
Michelle.Yao@inac.gc.ca
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At the same time, the commercial sector of the recreational halibut fishery (guides and lodges) has grown dramatically to become an important contributor to our economy, but has also increased pressure on the recreational allocation.
There we go with the "Party Line" yet again? What part of "service providers" doesn't he get? Obviously designed to try and keep the Recreational Sector firmly divided. Not this time methinks! ;)
The key concern that we must focus on, however, is the sustainability of the resource. Management of this fishery, including allocation decisions, should be based on science, thorough monitoring and good management principles. There are many examples historically to demonstrate that decisions based on politics rather than science rarely yield the best result for the fishery.
Ummm.. Seems everyone else understands that this is not a "Conservation Issue". Guess he might want to enlighten the Halibut Commission that all of their efforts and conclusions are out to lunch? ::)
I'd really like to understand just how the giving away of 88% of the TAC was based on "Science" and "good management principles" rather than Politics. Laughable were it not so far out there... ???
A lasting and equitable solution will require all of the parties to work together in good faith and with the best interest of the resource in mind. Our primary concern must remain the health and sustainability of the fishery, and any change must provide a fair balance between the unique West Coast requirements of the First Nation, recreation and commercial sectors.
It has become obvious that DFO has NO interest whatsoever in working with either side of this equation "in good faith". In fact, the divisiveness between the two groups is being actively encouraged, it is a rather strong tactic after all.
Our fight is NOT with the commercial fishermen, especially so with those who actually fish. They have been lead into this miserable situation directly by DFO as much as we have. Rather our fight is with "management" or the lack thereof as the case may be. Although they are mandated to ensure our resources are managed for the best and wisest use, their actions indicate anything but. Time to let them know this is INTOLERABLE!
We have said all along that the health and sustainability of the resource is indeed priority number one - no argument there. As for "any change must provide a FAIR balance" - that is EXACTLY what this matter is all about: Fair and Equitable distribution of this Common Property Resource! Bloody shame that Duncan firmly believes that keeping the Recreational Sector throttled back to 12% is somehow Fair? ???
Given Mr. Duncan won his last election by less than 2,400 votes with a rather small showing of the electorate, methinks the time has come to let him know just how far we collectively exceed that margin, and that his days are NUMBERED!
I will be writing him a response. Will post here once I have done so...
Final note for now: I never set out to become involved in a Political Battle, in fact I very much detest the fact that I am now. We have politely tried for years upon years via the SFAB, the local Community Councils, Round-tables and more. All pretty much a dismal failure. DFO simply doesn't place any importance on recreational fisheries, never have, and still refuses to do so. It is they who created this mess we are now in, and it is they alone who can fix it. Unfortunate as hell that they continue to express absolutely no desire to do so. Their very actions have made "reasonable dialogue" a complete waste of effort. And so, they have painted us into the corner we now stand in. If we stand idly by on this issue, we are certain to face much of the same treatment when it comes down to access for all marine resources. Sad fact, unfortunately true.
The ONLY thing they do seem to understand at this juncture is pressure upon their governors, the elected officials of this Great Nation. So be it. Although it causes me a good deal of stress, I will continue to pound the letters at them, on a frequent basis. One letter is a good start Folks, one a week MUCH better! If we are now to become the "Squeaky Wheel" it is time for the bearings to come off. I urge every one of you reading this to take a few moments and express your concern over this issue, regardless of which side of the fence you might sit on.
Cheers,
Nog
PS: Channel A News, early edition this evening. Worth the watch ;)
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A few questions.
How fast do Halibut grow?
How old is a 30lb
How old is a 150lb
Can you successfully release a 150lb hali and have it live? 100% of the time?
I have fished the west coast 6 times at different locations and from what I see the amount of fish coming out of lodges and camp grounds by sports fishing is disgusting. All people talked about was getting their limits and how they killed a 100lb hali...
Have seen coolers of fish leave camp sites with guys that leave the group early and take home everyones fish with notes in case they are stopped... the guys left behind kill their possession limits again. Seen this happen often with out looking for it... So I am guessing it happens allot... Lodges and guiding outfits should be made to release an Hali over a certain weight. Allowing a client to kill a fish that size is irresponsible and shows no respect for the stocks...
Won't be long before we are all fishing for 10" trout in stocked lakes... out of Grady Whites and Jet Boat's... lol
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Have seen coolers of fish leave camp sites with guys that leave the group early and take home everyones fish with notes in case they are stopped... the guys left behind kill their possession limits again. Seen this happen often with out looking for it... So I am guessing it happens allot...
The answers to your first sety of questions can easily be found on-line. Google is your friend. ;)
No, this does not happen "a lot". What, in fact, you witnessed were direct Violations of the Fisheries Act. Should never be tolerated.
Did YOU report these violations? Or simply walk away to "report" them here? If the latter, you are part of the problem. Really.
Nog
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Thanks for the update on Google, would have never thought of that....
Wow... Would have been easier to just type out a weight and an age if you are going to respond at all...
Obviously it is a direct violation....
Been to Poets Nook three times in Bamfield and it happened every time, so for me that is allot...
Asked the lady at the office and she said she would deal with it.
Not much for cell phones up there..
It was a simple question so you can take your comment and shove it...
Hope they do close the fishing for Halis, serve you right..
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It was a simple question so you can take your comment and shove it...
Hope they do close the fishing for Halis, serve you right..
Wow! We ARE real mature then aren't we... LOL! :D
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Port Hardy Town Hall Meeting
Port Hardy: January 27th (Thursday), 7pm
Quatse River Stewardship Center
First Volley from DFO. The anticipated opening for the recreational sector, historically occurring every February 1st, has now been delayed a minimum of one month: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/a-s20-eng.htm#Finfish_%28Other_than_Salmon
And on it goes...
Nog
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I'm curious what % allocations of the total allowable annual halibut catch among the commercial, guide/resort, and pure recreational sectors you folks are suggesting would be fair?
This trend towards privatization of access to natural resources does seem to be a common mantra among the Provincial Liberals and Federal Conservatives, all in the name of economic development.
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20%
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This trend towards privatization of access to natural resources does seem to be a common mantra among the Provincial Liberals and Federal Conservatives, all in the name of economic development.
If were actually to be economic development, this matter would have decided a very long time ago. It is painfully obvious who puts more coin back into the economy per pound of landed catch. In this instance, the flawed quota management system simply created Fish Barons of enormous wealth, at the expense of honest hard-working fishermen, while denying access for the rightful "owners".
Cheers,
Nog
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UPDATE:
Kitimat now online: http://fightforhalibut.wordpress.com/
Meetings in Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Kitimat coming soon. Details to be announced early next week: http://www.bchalibut.org/?page_id=204
BC Coalition Website HACKED and forced to shut down. New site at: http://www.bchalibut.org/
DFO delays Recreational Halibut Opening:
Dear Friends,
We learned this afternoon that DFO has chosen to delay the recreational halibut fishery until government decides the future disposition of our common property resource.
Efforts are ramping up and more letters are coming in daily...your efforts are paying off.
"Insider" information suggests the Halibut issue has now been passed on to the PM's office from DFO (running away from the matter once again?)
Several MP's and MLA's now petitioning the government to DEAL with the matter Swiftly and Fairly: http://www.sfibc.com/?page_id=164
Full and half page ads in several major newspapers being run by the commercial sector. All to date have contained serious misinformation.
It seems the letter writing / meeting campaign is making a difference. The pressure continues to find and implement an Equitable decision.
This is YOUR Access on the line here Folks, and WILL set precedence for ongoing (and upcoming) discussions of the privatization of many marine resources (crabs and prawns now under "negotiation"). If this concerns you, your letters of support would be sincerely appreciated!
Cheers,
Nog
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Halibut fishery debate boils down to semantics and spin
By Stephen Hume, Vancouver SunJanuary 29, 2011
As a low-abundance year for halibut is expected, catch restrictions have deepened the divide between sports anglers and commercial fishing.
Photograph by: Darren Stone, Postmedia News, Vancouver SunAs with so much of the lobbying by special interests in this media-saturated environment, the discussion often comes down to semantics and spin.
There's no better example than the current wrangle between sports anglers and the commercial fishing industry over how much of the annual halibut catch each group should fairly claim.
The argument by sports anglers is that the little guy (them) is being jobbed by big business (commercial fishermen) which is hogging the catch.
Before we get to the semantics and spin, some context:
The halibut fishery was important to first nations long before newcomers imposed industrial models in the late 19th century. The subsequent over-exploitation ravaged halibut stocks. By 1910 extinction seemed imminent.
In 1923, Canada and the United States signed the Pacific Halibut Treaty -- the first international agreement independently negotiated by Ottawa. It created the International Pacific Halibut Commission to jointly manage halibut stocks in the North Pacific.
The commission advises catch limits based on a globally recognized science-based model for sustainable fisheries management. Depleted stocks recovered.
Until 1991, boats would race during seasonal openings to catch as many fish as possible until quotas were met. This permitted unlimited participation in the fishery and made it easier for respective governments to control the actual catch. But it also encouraged unsafe fishing. Boats often sank in storms trying to maximize catches.
So, in the mid-1990s the fishery moved toward individual transferable fishing quotas. This permitted boats to fish at any time during the nine-month season but strictly monitored catch limits. Furthermore, quota now included bycatch. Fishermen could sell quota.
At the beginning, sports anglers weren't after halibut. Sports anglers wanted salmon, primarily chinook and coho, with some attention to ling cod and rockfish, particularly in the Strait of Georgia.
When share of the annual halibut catch was allocated, the commercial fishermen's quota was set at 88 per cent and the sports anglers share was 12 per cent -then thought adequate at about twice the annual recreational catch.
Enter the semantics and spin.
"Sports angler" evokes the image of a guy with a beat-up 14-foot tinny and an eight horsepower kicker. Today it includes charter operators with $50,000 boats able to run out to exposed halibut banks and multimillionaire owners of luxury lodges who market to well-heeled tourists.
Some of these commercial "sports" outfits need a thousand employees just to keep their resorts, marinas, restaurants and gift shops staffed. They have been so successful marketing that tourists now outnumber local anglers by about 75 per cent. And they take about 60 per cent of the sports halibut quota.
In fact, for the last three years they've regularly overfished their allocated quota.
Just to put this in perspective, low-end charters run around $950 a day. Mid-range -how about $6,700 for four days guided fishing? At the high end, a three-day getaway for two goes for $20,000 and a four-day helicopter fishing jaunt is advertised for $161,910.
Anglers who ante up that kind of dough expect to catch fish, lots of fish, hence the recent desire for increases in daily catch limits by the "sports" anglers. But we're entering a low abundance year for halibut and catch restrictions are advised. So now tourists are booked when catches may be reduced. How to justify fishing into depleting stocks? Have commercial quota reduced by reallocation.
Frankly, folks with those kinds of assets, charging those kinds of fees, should be able to buy extra quota from the commercial fleet instead of asking that it simply be reassigned.
This brings us back to semantics and spin.
This debate isn't about big business versus little guys; it's strictly about competing business interests and whether one should get a subsidy.
It should be about the health of halibut stocks and sustainable fisheries.
On this one, I'm inclined to put the halibut first since fish make poor lobbyists.
If conservation demands catch reductions, even draconian ones, then let everybody suffer, not just one interest at the expense of another, which is precisely what transferring commercial quota to the "sports" quota is intended to achieve.
shume@islandnet.com
For a debate between sports fisherman and commercial fisherman, go to the following links: www.vancouversun.com/opinion/oped/Recrea tional+anglers+deserve+fair+catch/4159534/ story. html
www.vancouversun.com/story_print.html? id=4147425&sponsor
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
As a low-abundance year for halibut is expected, catch restrictions have deepened the divide between sports anglers and commercial fishing.Photograph by: Darren Stone, Postmedia News, Vancouver Sun
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I usally agree with what Stephan Hume says. But allowing the commercial fishery people most of the alloted Halibut because they use to kill themselves racing to catch fish is not a good reason. Commercial fishers who died fishing have usually like 99 % plus died because their not doing things safely. If a charter operator had a fatality rate like that should they get to have more quota? As the article said too that these people doing charters have thousands of people working for them and helping tourism here. So if some people from out of province catch some halibut it seems like a good thing. As long as the stocks are OK. It appears that the commercial fleet put the stocks almost into extingtion before. ::)
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Ahhhh the Wonders one can create when you have enough money for a professional lobby and public relations machine and can also afford to purchase large ads in the major papers. I notice they did not allow for comments on what I will politely call an opinion piece. Or as he himself labeled it: "Semantics and Spin"
There is so much in error in this article it is damn tough to know just where to begin. For starters, the halibut allocation issue is “… strictly about competing business interests and whether one should get a subsidy” ???? Apparently recreational anglers such as myself and thousands upon thousands of others (with no relationship to the guides or lodges) and our long standing concerns about the unfair halibut allocation, don’t really exist. This issue is only about a few greedy multimillionaire lodge owners - thanks for clearing that up for us Mr. Hume.
Far to busy with REAL matters to bother with the balance at this point. Suffice it to say: I wonder just who padded Mr. Hume's pockets for this particular "spin".
Shakin' the nog yet again...
Nog
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Just think, if it were an 80% - 20% split, the next thing you know, the average Joe Sporty would whine about how the lodges and guides are taking too much of the 20%. Where does it end ?? Maybe you's should just jig the odd lingcod and rock cod, or get out there and catch your halibut before the big wig lodges {Langara etc.} and small fry guides like IronNoggin and friends catch too much, too soon and get your Average Joe recreational sport shut down too early. Just think, if it weren't for the guides and lodges catching so much, the average dude with a boat could fish all year long. ::)Ever think of griping about how much these rec sector lodges and rinky dink guide outfits catch too much of the rec sectors TAC ??? Either that or buy a feed of halibut from the dock, and quit sniveling so much ::) How's that for stirring the pot ;) ;D ;D
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"Insider" information suggests the Halibut issue has now been passed on to the PM's office from DFO (running away from the matter once again?)
Several MP's and MLA's now petitioning the government to DEAL with the matter Swiftly and Fairly: http://www.sfibc.com/?page_id=164
I sympathise with the issue but it's NEVER good news when politicians in Ottawa start mucking around in our regional resource management decisions...we know their track record on the east coast. The bottom line is conservation of the resource for future generations.....Ottawa politicians can't see that far ahead.
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In response to troutbreath's posting of Stephen Humes' article in the Sun he should see what was sent to Mr. Hume as a reply:
When you are talking about semantics and spin you should have an understanding of what the real issue is. Let me respectfully make you aware of a few facts:
The "commercial sports sector" pricing you placed in your article uses the highest inflated prices in the industry that represent less than 5% of the businesses out there. I'm also curious where you found a helicopter halibut fishing operation. I guess it's all about semantics and spin isn't it?
You should be aware that lodges and charter operators do not charge for fish. The business itself does not use quota. Each individual fisherman holds a Sportfishing license and is mandated by law to stay within the limits that license grants him/her. You need to understand that this industry provides opportunity and means for the individual recreational fisherman. Not every one can afford, has the ability to, or the inclination to spend tens of thousands of dollars to buy the necessary equipment to go fishing, especially if they only go once or twice a year. This is the niche that the lodge and charter industry fills.
As far as your opinion on tourists in the lodge and charter operations go, I work for a company that operates 4 lodges. Our largest customer base comes from, hold on, British Columbia. That's right, good ole' local BC. Next is Alberta. Non resident tourists only comprise about 30% of our business. The rest is Canadian. So, get your facts straight before you offer semantics and spin.
We are not asking to double our limits. For the past several years, in the period of low abundance, we have been allowed 2 fish in possession. that's all we are asking for. The difference is that we want to be able to obtain them both in the same day. People need to be informed that a daily limit doesn't mean that they can keep that number of fish every day. When you talk limits, talk about POSSESSION limits.
The real issue here is the fact that this quota system exists in the first place. The recreational sector has been trying to operate within this system since it's inception and has said all along that it won't work. It has proved to be a struggle with limits and opportunity for recreational anglers suffering a large decline over the past few years and still cannot manage within the 12% allocation. Now it's gotten to the point that 2011 will prove disastrous to the whole industry. Not just lodges and charter operations but marinas, hotels, restaurants, tackle shops, boat and motor manufactureres and distributors, etc, etc., etc. This is affecting thousands of people.
This isn't about conservation. It's about allocation. This is about the suffering of thousands of people at the benefit of "slipper skippers". A select few people who originally got a free gift of a public resource and are gaining financially at the expense of thousands of others. That's what's wrong with the system. It should have been designed as an IFQ, not an ITQ system and a higher percentage allocated to the sports sector. The original percentage was assigned on the basis of incomplete and inaccurate data.
Understand that the rec sector supports the commercial fishermen that actually fish and are forced to buy quota at prices that make it inhibitive for them to make money except in huge volumes. This volume could be cut down and they could make more money if "slipper skippers" didn't exist. Some of this abused quota should be allocated to the recreational sector that provides the greatest good to the greatest number and then everyone that actually fishes would win.
You're absolutely right that this has become about semantics and spin and it's wrong. I wish someone would educate the public with FACTS for a change. That's your job as a journalist, isn't it?
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Troutbreath:
I didn't mean my response as an attack against you. I just saw your posted comments about the article. Just wanted to get the response to the article out in circulation. Sorry if I inappropriately centred you out as agreeing with it.
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No problem. I found Hume's article less than journalism. Where you try to get the facts straight to inform readers of the issues. I've gone fishing for halibut in a 12 foot aluminum ::) and would be going on a charter next time. :) Most people I know going for them here in BC go charter.
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Meeting in Maple ridge coming soon, the home riding of Randy Kamp: Parliamentary Secretary to Fisheries Minister Gail Shea. My bet says he doesn't show, but very worthwhile for those who are close enough to!
Meeting in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows
Meadow Gardens Golf Course
February 21
7 p.m.
Cheers,
Nog
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Kitimat Town Hall Meeting
Feb 27 (Sunday), 2pm
Kitimat Rod & Gun Club
;)
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Today is Decision Day Folks.
We will hear something regarding whatever DFO will now propose to deal with the situation by this evening.
If this matter is of any import to you, I'd suggest taking a whopping five minutes out of your day and placing a call to your MP.
If you are ever gonna make one important phone call this year make it to your mp today.
It important that you do this today, tell him or her that if they want your vote they need to do the right thing and change the halibut allocation now:
Keith Martin Esquimalt\Juan de Fuca
Liberal
250-474-6505
James Lunney Nanaimo\Alberni
Conservative
250-390-7550
Jean Crowder Nanaimo\Cowichan
NDP
250-746-4896
Gary Lunn Saanich\Gulf Islands
Conservative
250-656-2320
John Duncan Vancouver Island North
Conservative
1-800-667-8404 (Courtenay) 250-956-2494 (Port McNeil)
Denise Savoie Victoria
NDP
250-363-3600
Nathan Cullen Skeena\Bulkely Valley
NDP
(250) 877-4140
John Cummins Delta\Richmond East
Conservative
(604) 940-8040
Don Davies Vancouver\Kingsway
NDP
604-775-6263
Libby Davies Vancouver East
NDP
604 775 5800
Stockwell Day Okanagan\Coquihalla
Conservative
250.770.4480
Sukh Dhaliwal Newton\North Delta
Liberal
(604) 598-2200
Fin Donnelly New Westminster\Coquitlam
NDP
604) 664-9229
Ujjal Dosanjh Vancouver South
Liberal
(604) 775-5323
Edward Fast Abbotsford
Conservative
604) 557-7888
Hedy Fry Vancouver Centre
Liberal
604.666.0135
Nina Grewal Fleetwood\Port Kells
Conservative
(604) 501-5900
Dick Harris Cariboo - Prince George
Conservative
250-564-7771
Peter Julian Burnaby\New Westminster
NDP
(604) 775-5707
Randy Kamp Pitt Meadows\Maple Ridge\Mission
Conservative
604.466.2761
Colin Mayes Okanagan\Shuswap
Conservative
250-260-5020
Cathy Mcleod Kamloops\Thompson\Cariboo
Conservative
250-851-4991
James Moore Port Moody\Westwood\ Port Coquitlam
Conservative
604.937.5650
Joyce Murray Vancouver \ Quadra
Liberal
604-664-9220
Andrew Saxton North Vancouver
Conservative
613-995-1225
Bill Siksay Burnaby \ Douglas
NDP
604-291-8863
Chuck Strahl Chilliwack \ Fraser Canyon
Conservative
(604) 847-9711
Mark Warawa Langley
Conservative
604-534-5955
John Weston West Vancouver \ Sunshine Coast \ Sea to Sky Country
Conservative
604 981 1790 (Vancouver)
604 885 2939 (Sechelt)
604 489 2222 (Powell River)
Alice Wong Richmond
Conservative
604-775-5790
Cheers,
Nog
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http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/statement-declarations/2011/20110215-eng.htm
not good
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not good
Master of the Understatement! ;)
Statement by Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans - Pacific Halibut February 15, 2011
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OTTAWA, ONTARIO – The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today issued the following statement:
Our Government understands the value and significance of the Pacific halibut fishery to British Columbians. The current sharing formula, which allocates 88% of the harvest to commercial fishermen and 12% to recreational harvesters, has been in place since 2003. Since then there have been a number of attempts by representatives of each sector to develop an acceptable way to transfer allocation between them.
The most recent round of discussions took place throughout 2010. I’m disappointed to report that those discussions have reached an impasse and stakeholders have been unable to reach a consensus, Because of this, a ministerial decision is required to move forward for the 2011 season.
As Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, I have been entrusted with managing our precious marine resources responsibly and sustainably. This responsibility includes ensuring that we meet our various international obligations with regards to conservation. All fish management decisions are made to meet the following three priorities: conservation, sustainability of the fishery and economic viability. It is with these in mind that I announce the following:
The 2011 Pacific halibut recreational fishing season will open March 1st. Recreational anglers with a tidal license will be able to catch one halibut per day with two in possession.
Our Government recognizes the value of the recreational fishery to British Columbians and the economic opportunities it provides. Therefore, for the 2011 season only, we will undertake a trial to make available to interested recreational stakeholders experimental licenses that will allow them to lease quota from commercial harvesters. This will provide access to halibut beyond the limits of the standard recreational license, giving those who choose to participate greater stability for business planning purposes.
As for the future, clearly it is in the best interests of all sectors to come to a long-term solution that recognizes the important contribution each makes to British Columbia. To achieve this, I have asked my Parliamentary Secretary, Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament from Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, to work with my officials to develop options for my consideration prior to the start of the 2012 season. These options will need to meet the following objectives:
•Conservation of the resource through enhanced monitoring of the recreational fishery, thereby keeping all halibut fisheries accountable for maintaining catches within the total allowable catch.
•Economic prosperity through predictable access for all users.
•Flexibility through an effective mechanism for transfers between the sectors.
I have long held the belief that those who participate in and depend on a fishery to make their living need to be able to provide input into how that fishery is managed. Ideally, that happens in a collaborative and constructive manner. Many stakeholders from both sectors have clearly articulated their current positions, but I encourage continued dialogue about new approaches between interested parties and my officials. The sooner a permanent solution is found, the sooner British Columbians can put uncertainty behind them and look forward to a viable future for this fishery.
For more information:
Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
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OUCH! Couldn't have received a much firmer dismissal. >:(
I see a couple of strategies left to the Colation now:
First: NONE of the charter groups should buy any of these new proto-type Licenses nor any additional quota. If any single one calves, they drag the rest of us down into acceptance of this madness. This directly appears to be following the Alaskan model, wherein those who play ball eventually end up being the only ones allowed to fish, and the rest be damned. Further this is an obvious tactic on DFO's part to create even more division amongst the recreational sector, thus I am not at all surprised they are attempting to rely on that age-old (and to now extremely reliable) card once again.
Methinks it would behoove the Coalition to get the Don't Do It message across to all, as soon as possible. The old What if they held a party and nobody showed analogy applies well here.
Second: We have an election coming up. Is everyone involved determined enough to both vote against and campaign against the government that has screwed us over once again? I would hope so. In fact I am going so far as to phone Lunney, thank him for his support in this cause, but sadly informing him that due to the actions of his government, I simply can not vote for him again. This will also be sent in letter form, as will similar letters to Shea and the PM. Thanks for the message - here, in a very similar tone is our reply.
Methinks at this point they simply want us to throw our hands in the air and walk away. Worst possible thing we could do. In fact the very reverse should be true now, and we should up the pressure as much as we feasibly can.
For the long term, methinks we now must find a way to bring the other two sectors to the table with us. The deep-pocket absentee Fish Brokers have had their way, and are likely giggling contentedly over just how they were able to fix that particular little red wagon. Enough. The end result of their expensive and effective lobbying campaign is the working fisherman still produces more income for his absentee Fish Lord than he realizes for his own efforts, and the recreational fleet is once again left holding the bag. Most of us recognize that as wrong. Methinks enough of the Real Fishermen likely think along similar lines, but are simply muzzled by those that hold access privileges over them. The time for us to work together to right that wrong has come. This doesn't have to occur overnight, Shea has drawn her line in the sand for this season. But methinks we had best take advantage of the time preceding next year's continuation of the problem to form a United Front with those amongst the commercial fleet who are willing to do so. Those forced into lease situations actually have more to gain from abolishing absentee ownership than the recreational fleet does. Thus I believe there exist distinct possibilities of moving forward in this fashion. And I would like to be amongst the first to note that I am willing to donate whatever time and energy is required to make this happen. I see little other recourse at this juncture...
I am pissed, but I am not overly surprised. DFO's tactics of shuffling the deck and tossing out piecemeal offerings directly designed to deflect from their own back yard while maximizing internal both inter and infra-sectoral dissent has proven effective for them in the past. So again, no surprise they rely on just that once again. Are we "Man" enough to meet the challenge of forgoing their "offer" and working collectively with all user groups to find a more equitable solution? I sincerely hope so. Otherwise all of our efforts to date have been a considerable waste...
Not so damn cheery,
Matt
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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 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.
For more information please contact:
Rob Alcock
B.C. Sportfishing Coalition
778-868-8779
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Letter to MP James Lunney, DFO Minister Shea, and PM Harper sent today:
"Dear Mr. Lunney,
First I would like to personally thank you for fine performance as our local MP, and your recent outspoken involvement in the halibut allocation issue. Your words were certainly well appreciated, and I only wish that more of your colleagues could perceive the significant importance of this matter to BC's economy.
Unfortunately Minister Shea today produced a statement on this very issue that completely ignores the voting public, directly furthers the Department's assertion that this resource largely "belongs" in the hands of a very select few (a direct contravention of a previous related Supreme Court decision and very unlikely to withstand the test of Law) and furthers that privatization by the creation of yet another "commercial" sector.
In a query to all Conservative MP's early this spring, Prime Minister Harper noted he was actively seeking input as to mechanisms to increase economic activity nation-wide. At that time I applauded his efforts, firmly believing his intentions in this regard were sound. However today's announcement flies directly in the face of that. There are literally thousands of people in BC whose jobs rely both directly and indirectly to the recreational fishing sector's activities. The direct and spin-off benefits are immense. However this has obviously been ignored in favor of a select few who provide very little in the way of economic input in comparison. Thus I find PM Harper's words more than misleading, something I consider a very serious matter.
I understand that there are those in your Cabinet that believe this matter will now simply go away. Rest assured, it will not. In fact the opposite is likely true given that the desires of the voting public have been so gravenly ignored. The groundswell of support this matter created amongst the "Common Man" is not localized to British Columbia, and in fact is wide-spread right across our entire Nation. Few things get the voting public as disappointed as having their wishes and desires blatantly ignored in favor of making a select wealthy few even wealthier. I firmly believe you are about to witness the manifestation of that disappointment into action.
I have always been a long-term supporter of the Conservatives, both at the voting booth, in donations, and active discussions with my peers. Therefore it is with a heavy heart that I now find myself writing you to inform you of my decision to withdraw any and all such support for the Conservative Party. I very much feel for yourself being caught up in this mess, however it is very much a mess created by your own government, and alas you - as their representative - must pay the price.
Unless something very dramatic occurs in the next short while, I will find myself actively and openly campaigning alongside the thousands of like-minded anglers, who rightfully feel they have been seriously let down, AGAINST your Party's continued governance.
I am cc'ing this letter to the DFO Minister who made such an improper (and very likely Illegal) ruling as well as PM Harper. The message from here is clear: You have well overstepped your bounds in turning a Common Property Resource into a Privately Traded Commodity, in directly ignoring the desires of the voting public, and in creating undue stress on BC's struggling economy. In doing so your government has raised the ire of a Sleeping Giant. Unfortunate that you, and those amongst your colleagues that feel as you have indicated, must suffer for the wrongful decisions of another. But alas, I see no other recourse at this juncture.
I would be pleasantly surprised to receive a realistic response from yourself, and those this message has been cc'd to. This is a very significant turning point for me and many Canadians. I would however request that the cc'd parties please refrain from the platitude of yet another mass produced, say nothing response.
Regretfully,
J. Matt Stabler"
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Good letter Nog,
Me thinks 'copies' are in order to send to each our our own local MPs - Mr. Kamp included. Can we use your 'portions' of your letter where appropraite in our own???
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Me thinks 'copies' are in order to send to each our our own local MPs - Mr. Kamp included. Can we use your 'portions' of your letter where appropraite in our own???
I concur with firing customized copies to every of your MP's. It is time for us to increase the pressure, or face disastrous results.
Feel free to use whatever you wish from my version.
Cheers,
Matt
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--Us interior boys like to come play on the coast once and a while
--All members of our local fly fishing club, as we are also members of BCWF have been given written pre- addressed notes and encourage our members to add their personal hand written note to Stephen Harper.
-- "I am totally opposed to your government's decision to continue allocating ownership of 88% of Canada's Pacific Halibut to the commercial sector. Not only doe the decision continue the unconstitutional gifting of a public resource to private interests, it will also result in the loss of millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs in the recreational fishing industry. At a time when your government is attempting to save jobs and keep our economy growing, this decision by your Minister of Fisheries makes no sense what so ever."
-- "I strongly urge you to take the steps necessary to bring about a more fair and equitable sharing of this common property resource"