YOU can help save your right to public access of the Halibut resource, the one comment we have continually faced was that the public doesn't seem to feel they are being treated unfairly. You can participate in the outcome of these charter halibut decisions by understanding the issues, and writing to decision makers.
This October, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council plans to decide on a set allocation (either in fixed pounds or percentage) for guided recreational fishermen which will likely be enough for only 1-fish daily limits for both Southeast and Southcentral Alaska in 2009 and beyond.
This is not a conservation issue, the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC) all insist the halibut stocks are healthy no more fish will stay in the ocean if the guided limit goes to a 1-per-day but more pounds will go to commercial fishermen. The Council is considering an option where anglers can pay commercial fishermen to harvest a second fish per day. Why should we pay commercial fishermen for something that is ours to begin with?
All recreational anglers should email the addresses below, asking them to delay any action at the Council until next April, and urge them to evaluate alternatives to options currently being considered. Let them know you oppose a fixed poundage or percentage allocation, and oppose leasing fish from commercial fisherman who are already harvesting a majority of the halibut. Comments must be received by Wednesday, September 24.
Alaska Governor Sara Palin: governor@gov.state.ak.us
Alaska Senator Ted Stevens: http://stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.EmailSenatorStevens
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski: http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactMe.EMailLisa
Fish & Game Commissioner Denby Lloyd: denby.lloyd@alaska.gov
National Marine Fisheries Sue Salveson:sue.salveson@noaa.gov
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Council does NOT accept comments via e-mail, they must be mailed or faxed to the Council office, and must be received by 5:00 pm (Alaska Time) on Wednesday, September 24.
Eric Olson, Chairman
North Pacific Fisheries Management Council
605 West 4th, Suite 306,
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-2252
Fx (907) 644-0327
Email: eolson@gci.net
Just a few emails and one letter from every sport fisherman would let them know that we do value our right to fish and that access to a public resource does NOT mean buying it from commercial fishermen.This has been a long battle, to learn more about the issues, and how you can help, visit the Charter Halibut Task Force website http://charterhalibut.org
Thank You for your support.