By Chris Armstrong, Muskeg News

http://www.muskegnews.com/rec-halibut031

It appears the recreational halibut fishery in 2011 will be more of the same, but it will start a little later in the year.

A statement sent out today by Gail Shea, the minister of Fisheries & Oceans, states the recreation halibut fishery will open March 1. Anglers holding a tidal licence will be allowed to catch one halibut per day, with two in possession, states the release.

The recreation halibut fishery usually opens at the beginning of February each year. This year’s daily catch limits are the same as last year’s, and recreational halibut fishermen will still receive 12 per cent of the total allowable catch.

The announcement comes after a heavy lobbying effort by recreational fishermen to increase their portion of the total allowable catch. Late in January, the International Pacific Halibut Commission announced the commercial & recreational fisheries in Canada were allowed to catch 7.65 million pounds of halibut. Using that number, the Department of Fisheries & Oceans divides the catch between the commercial fishermen (88 per cent) and the recreational sector (12 per cent); this year, that amounts to 6,950,250 pounds for the commercial fishery, and 947,760 pounds for the recreational fishery.

Shea’s statement says discussions have taken place with recreational & commercial fishermen since 2003 to transfer allocation between the two groups. “The most recent round of discussions took place throughout 2010,” states the release. “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.”

The statement also says the government will allow recreational fishermen to lease quota from commercial harvesters for the 2011 season only. “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,” states the release.

Nadia Bouffard, the director-general of fisheries & aboriginal policy with DFO, said quota-leasing had been done in the past in the halibut fishery. Before, said Bouffard, the entire commercial sector had a portion of the total allowable catch that it wasn’t going to use, and sold it to the recreational sector. This year, she said, recreational fishermen will be able to approach individual commercial fishermen directly to purchase quota.

In the negotiations over allocations, the commercial sector is represented by the Pacific Halibut Management Association. Chris Sporer, the executive director with that organization, supported the minister’s decision, saying she’s putting the fish first.

“We’re in a period of low abundance,” said Sporer. “We’re all bearing the cost of conservation.”

Indeed, the total allowable catch passed down by the International Pacific Halibut Commission has dropped significantly over the past seven years. In 2004, both sectors were allocated 13.8 million pounds of halibut — that number dropped bit by bit each year, until it reached a low point of 7.5 million pounds in 2010.

“I think it’s a fair and equitable decision she’s made,” said Sporer, adding that his organization is committed to the process and working with the recreational fishery.