Fishery Notice

Category(s): RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish (Other than Salmon)
Subject: FN0891-Recreational Halibut: All areas - Halibut Fishing Closure

Throughout the 2010 recreational halibut fishing season, the Department in
conjunction with the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) Halibut Working Group
have reviewed in-season monthly catch estimates.

Catch information indicates that the recreational share of the Total Allowable
Catch has been reached.

Therefore, recreational fishing for halibut will close effective 23:59hrs
October 18, 2010 for the balance of the year.

2011 management actions will be developed throughout the fall and announcements
will be made in early 2011.

Variation Order 2010-395 is in effect.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact: Tamee Mawani 604-666-9033 or Devona Adams 604-666-3271




Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0891
Sent October 6, 2010 at 0941
Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

This is Complete and Utter BS! From First-hand observance, the hit from Bamfield, Port and Ukee was down substantially right across the board this season! For the first season in my experience, a great many of the clients didn't even want to bother with the run out for a single fish each, preferring instead to Enjoy The Madness that the salmon fishing was instead. And while the crew of guides did collect a few, our collective experience strongly points out that the numbers were NO-WHERE near those of the past several seasons.

A similar case many here are not likely aware of...
Area G Troll (WCVI) realizes a September opening based completely upon any "surplus" TAC left over once the recreational sector numbers have been tabulated for that particular season. Given DFO's stance towards Area G of late, it came as no surprise that the numbers were "tweaked" just enough to deny any such opening this fall. However, once the numbers provided by the Department were analyzed by outside investigators, a LOUD Cry went up both from the Area G Representatives, as well as those representing the Recreational Sector. Were the numbers thus provided to be believed, it was readily apparent that EVERY SINGLE TRIP to the grounds had resulted in ALL anglers FAR surpassing their legal catch numbers! Shocking!
When the cry began to wander towards Enforcement issues as a consequence, DFO immediately changed those numbers (a fairly massive reduction actually) and announced an opening for Area G without sufficient time left in the month to prosecute it! So, in the end, by twisting the data to their own agenda, they did realize what their intent was - basically keeping Area G OFF the water.

The reason I post that is there are direct parallels between that little (sickening) scenario, and what is occurring with recreational halibut fishing. I did note that several folks have stated that they are prepared to take DFO to task over this new set of "spun" catch figures. I would like to amongst the first to note that if there is Anything I can do to help that along, please do feel free to count on me!

Methinks the time is long overdue we stood idly by while we are continuously lied to to our detriment!

Thoughts?

Ticked!
Nog

Cheers,

For what it's worth I normally limit out on halibut on 7 or 8 charters off Ucluelet
every season. That would amount to around 40-50 halibut. This year we brought home 12 and this was the norm rather than the exception with most of the people I have chatted with. Basically there were two reason.

1) When we did fish for halibut there were very few to be caught and;

2) The spring fishing was so phenomenol that guests decided to sit on the springs rather than do the run for a single halibut.

I do not buy the figures that DFO has present in the least (and wouldn't even rent them!) LOL There is something wrong with their numbers - either through sincere lack of documented catch or through something much more sinister!

Sincerly,