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ACA Member Information
IPHC Meeting Results
The IPHC Commissioners approved the 2008 IPHC staff recommendation to drop the 2C GHL level from 1.4 million pounds to .931 million pounds. This is based on the Coast- wide assessment, not the previous Closed Area assessment. 3A GHL level will remain at 3.65 million pounds.
IPHC approved NOAA enforcement’s rule that if halibut are filleted on the water, you must leave each fillet intact with the skin on and bring in two cheeks per halibut with the skin on.
Tagging halibut is approved only if sanctioned by IPHC.
Electric reel and jigging machine ban was tabled with no decision.
Here is the summary of the 2C GHL proposed rule:
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations that would limit the harvest of Pacific halibut by guided sport charter vessel anglers in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Area 2C of Southeast Alaska to the guideline harvest level (GHL) for that area under two different scenarios. First, if the GHL remains unchanged in 2008, a suite of three management measures are proposed to be added to an existing two-halibut daily catch and size limit. These management measures include a prohibition on the harvest of halibut by charter vessel guides, operators, and crew; a limit on the number of fishing lines that may be used on a charter vessel of six or the number of charter vessel anglers onboard, whichever is less; and an annual catch limit of four halibut per charter vessel angler. Second, if the GHL decreases in 2008, then a one-halibut daily catch limit is proposed to be substituted for the existing two-halibut daily catch limit. The prohibition of halibut harvest by charter vessel guides, operators, and crew, and the 6-line limit also are proposed under the second scenario. This proposed regulatory change is necessary to reduce the halibut harvest in the charter vessel sector to the GHL for Area 2C. The intended effect of this action is a reduction in the poundage of halibut harvested by the guided sport charter vessel sector in Area 2C to the GHL while minimizing adverse impacts on the charter fishery, its sport fishing clients, the coastal communities that serve as home ports for this fishery, and on fisheries for other species.
You can read comments that were submitted on www.regulations.gov/ then put in NOAA-NMFS-2007-0851 .
Dues
I urge any ACA members who have not paid their dues for 2008 to do so immediately. The ACA website will list the current member update by the last of February- remember, free link to your website with paid dues. The ACA will continue to work with other charter organizations toward our common goals without abandoning our mission statement. The ACA is the largest charter association in the state and ALL charters are welcome. Join with a credit card from this website. As members of the ACA you can also join NACO as a member through a Sponsoring Organization for $25.00 instead of the usual charge of $50.00. See www.nacocharter.org.
Upcoming North Council Meetings – Plan to attend the April and October meetings. They are both as important as the IFQ meetings.
Week of February 4, 2008 – Seattle
**Week beginning March 31, 2008- Anchorage Hilton
Week of June 2, 2008- Kodiak
**Week beginning September 29, 2008- Anchorage Hilton
April Meeting Agenda
Charter Halibut Allocation/Reallocation: Initial Review
Halibut Logbook Program- Report, Action as necessary
Halibut Longterm Solution: Committee Report
October Meeting Agenda
Halibut Charter Allocation/Reallocation: Final Action
Special Rates at Hawthorne Suites
ACA has negotiated special rates at the Hawthorne Suites in Anchorage until May 1st - 907-222-2005. Whether you and your family are shopping in Anchorage or you are attending charter meetings, just ask for the Alaska Charter Association rate. If the ACA schedules at least 30 nights before May 1st, we will be given special rates again beginning in the fall. |
 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:
Bryan Bondioli- Vice President
Holly Van Pelt- Secretary
Bob Howard- Treasurer
Rene Cook - Sitka
Dave Goldstein – Whittier
Kent Hall – Sitka
Teresa Weiser- Sitka
Regg Krkovich – Yakutat
Ken Newman – Kodiak
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