By Amy Judd, Maple Ridge Times

No one is currently allowed to fish for halibut, but the BC Sport Fishing Coalition (BCSFC) want to make sure that everyone wanting the chance this year is aware that the recreational fisherman could be in the midst of a crisis.

Since 2003, the federal government and the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans decided that West Coast Halibut would be harvested under a quota system.

Twelve per cent was allocated for recreational fishing, and 88 per cent was allocated for commercial fishing.

The coalition has said all along that that division won’t work because the allowed catch fluctuates up and down.

“We told [the government] when the numbers drop we are going to have trouble fishing, because we’re going to catch more than the allocated amount,” said Brent McCallum, one of the organizers of the town hall meeting.

He said that the recreational halibut fishing was supposed to open this year on Feb. 1, but it has not opened yet. A notice on the Fisheries website said the season will open Feb. 28.

The coalition has also been told that the season could close as early as mid-July, when it usually doesn’t close until Dec. 31.

“Up until the last few years it’s been okay,” McCallum said, “because we’ve still been fishing but now we’re saying enough is enough.”

He stressed that this wasn’t a conservation issue, as halibut stocks are not depleting.

“It’s about how Canada splits up their cash,” he said.

“While every sport fishing enthusiast will support closures that conserve fish stocks,” said Rob Alcock, BCSFC committee member, “these measures are simply designed to protect the financial interests of Canada’s 436 commercial halibut quota holders.”

The aim of the town hall meeting is to educate those who enjoy sport fishing, and let everyone know what is going on, and how they can take action.

“We are trying to get Fisheries and Oceans, and the government to move some fish from the 88 per cent to the twelve per cent,” said McCallum.

He said it wouldn’t take much to correct the split, but what would be ideal, would be to get out of the split system altogether, and fishermen would just be allowed to catch two halibut per day for example.

“I urge everyone who has an interest in sport fishing to attend, get informed and get involved, because the future of the fishery they love is at stake,” said Alcock.

“This crisis will spread to all Fraser River fisheries if we don’t stand up for our rights now.”

For more information, check out www.bchalibut.org.

The town hall meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 21, starting at 7 p.m. at the Meadow Gardens Golf Club, located at 19675 Meadow Gardens Way in Pitt Meadows.

http://www.nsnews.com/sports/Halibut+fishing+season+still+hold/4286384/story.html#ixzz1EGT6oU4J