|
IMPORTANT ACA NEWS AND CALL FOR ACTION
NOMINATIONS FOR U.S. COMMISSIONERS TO THE IPHC
NOAA Fisheries has announced the nominations received for two United States Commissioners to the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). One seat is open to an Alaskan resident and the other is open to a non-Alaskan resident. There are three qualified candidates who represent the recreational sector.
The IPHC’s central objective is to develop the stocks of Pacific Halibut in waters off the west coasts of Canada and the United States to levels that will permit the optimum yield from the Pacific halibut fishery and to maintain the stocks at those levels. The IPHC fulfills this objective by recommending Pacific halibut conservation and management measures for approval by the United States and Canada. Recently the IPHC has been making decisions that affect the recreational sector. Recent concerns about the health of the biomass mean that it will be very important to have commissioners at the table who recognize the need to protect the resource. To date, only representatives of the commercial fishery have filled the American seats.
The following recreational sector nominations were received:
Rex Murphy (Alaska resident)
Tom Ohaus (Alaska resident)
Kevin Delaney (non-Alaska resident)
This is your opportunity to ensure that you as a stakeholder in the halibut fishery are adequately represented. The Alaska Charter Association has endorsed nominee Rex Murphy. His letter of interest is posted HERE along with the bios of Mr. Delaney and Mr. Ohaus. The ACA urges you to send in a brief letter advocating one Alaska resident and one non-Alaska resident from the list of recreational nominees.
Letters of support are due by May 25, 2012 and can be submitted by any one of the following methods:
- Mail: Dr. James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802.
- E-mail: peter.d.jones@noaa.gov. Include the following identifier in the subject line of the e-mail: "Nominations for IPHC"
- Fax: 907–586–7249, attention: Dr. James Balsiger
Recent action event
April 2012 North Council Report
The North Council received the AP and staff reports on the CSP issues on Sunday, April 1, and then took public
testimony.
Messages delivered in testimony from the guided sector:
- Scrap the CSP matrix in favor of a committee based approach similar to the approach used for 2012
- Increase the allocation to a level that more closely approximates the GHL
- Support of transition from Statewide Harvest Survey (SWHS) to Charter Logbooks for harvest
accounting with appropriate allocation adjustments to account for the change in measuring sticks.
- Scrap GAF in favor of a pooled compensated allocation transfer mechanism such as CATCH.
- Support analysis of accountability change where each sector is directly accountable for their wastage.
read more
NMFS Recommends CSP Postponement
The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a statement today recommending postponement of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (NPFMC) Catch Sharing Plan, originally scheduled for implementation in 2012.
Read: Alaska Charter Association CSP Testimony
Read: Andrew Jensen for the Alaska Journal of Commerce
Read: NOAA suspends Alaska halibut charter catch-share plan
What does this mean?
Due to the enormous amount of comments that poured in during the comment period (see below), which NMFS will have to answer, there is no way NMFS would be able to remain on schedule for a 2012 implementation date. Halibut management will have to revert back to what was in place in 2011 and that was management under the GHL (Guideline Harvest Level). Area 3A, Southcentral, will have a reprieve for another year and will be able to fish under a two fish per day of any size. Area 2C will have to fight for a larger fish than 37", which resulted in a harvest in 2011 close to 40% below the recommended GHL.
|
NMFS Swamped with Comments
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our strength comes with our numbers that show we care about the future of our charter and lodge businesses in Alaska. |
|
|
The Alaska Charter Association is a statewide organization representing about 180 charter and associated businesses. Its mission-“to preserve and protect those fishing rights and resources necessary for the Alaska charter fleet to best serve the recreational fishery.”
For more information on Halibut Charter Background, access information under Letters tab. |
 History & Purpose
On June 15, 2004, a group of concerned charter boat operators from Homer took time out of their busy summer season and formed a new charter association- The Alaska Charter Association.
Our mission - The Alaska Charter Association seeks to preserve and protect those fishing rights and resources necessary for the Alaska charter fleet to best serve the recreational fishery.
The Alaska Charter Association represents various business and individuals that have united against opposition efforts to restrict the recreational angler’s rights to the halibut resource. Our main points of concern are:
- A need for equal representation on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, Board of Fish, Advisory Panel and Stakeholders committees.
- Conservation of the halibut resource and wastage issues.
- Ensure equal and fair access for all recreational anglers.
- Ensuring that management decisions comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 10 national standards for fishery conservation and management, and the public trust doctrine.
- Ensuring reasonable mechanisms for growth in the recreational fishing sector.
- Comprehensive economic studies of the value of a sport caught fish to the local economies.
From its humble beginnings in Homer, Alaska in June of 2004, the Alaska Charter Association has grown to be the state’s largest association of charter boat operators, with over 341 members including association members, we represent about over 35% of all saltwater guide services. You need to be part of this strengthening organization. In this period, we have accomplished a great deal. See our Accomplishments page.
 There has been much testimony and individuals have written many letters. This effort has been key in realizing our accomplishments. Your continued efforts are necessary. Organized opposition will dominate the resource if we do not make our voice heard. Keep writing these letters.
ACA Board of Directors:
Greg Sutter, Homer President info@alaskacharter.org
Richard Yamada, Juneau, Vice President
Bryan Bondioli, Homer, Treasurer
Jeff Wedekind Kechikan, Secretary
Gary Ault, Homer
James Stegall, Seward
Theresa Weiser, Sitka
Ken Newman, Kodiak
David Bayes, Homer
|
