Dear editor,
There is lots of halibut quota for the recreational fisher.
The problem comes with the charter boats and lodges that are in the business of catching fish for their “recreational” fishers.
The charter boats and lodges claim all they provide is the boat, electronic equipment and a professional guide to help their customers catch fish.
However, they make their money providing these commercial services for catching fish and should be grouped in with any other commercial fishing business making money catching fish.
The charter boats and lodges should provide their customers with commercial halibut quota and leave the recreational quota to the recreational fisherman.
Charter boats and lodges catch 69 per cent of the recreational total allowable catch (TAC) of halibut. This TAC has been exceeded for the past six years due to these businesses and have caused early shutdowns of the recreational fishery and reduced catch limits.
If the charter industry were to hold their own commercial quota, they could plan their seasons without fear of any closures or catch limits. This would leave the recreational halibut share for the recreational fishers.
David Hardie,
Courtenay