Limit entry to charter fishing industry
The latest concern over the catch rate by clients of charter operators furthers the need for some form of limited entry into the charter industry. There is a limited resource that all user groups target: salmon and halibut. Commercial fishermen have gone through limited entry and the individual fishing quota program.
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Existing charter operators are being stressed by having an unregulated expansion within that industry. Each year there are new charter operators added and current operators increasing their number of boats. Nonresident sport fishermen make up the overwhelming majority of charter clients. We also see a number of former charter clients switching to bare-boat charter as they become familiar with the area and gear. Additionally we have seen a number of former clients buying boats and leaving them in Alaska. In some cases they purchase vacation homes near the waters they fish.
Rather than levee new bag limits on clients of guided sport fishermen, it would be more equitable to put the same bag limit on all nonresident sport fishermen. By treating all nonresident sport fishermen equally, we will address the clients within the charter industry, the bare-boat charters, and the independent nonresident fishermen. To do otherwise will only encourage clients of charter operators to find a loop hole through bare-boat charters or buying their own boat.
Until limited entry is brought to the charter fleet, there will be economic stress placed upon all charter operators. If we added just 20 boats to the fleet, it would result in fewer allowable fish for current operators; they may see in-season restrictions or reductions the following year. Faced with a reduced catch, some charter operations will look to a greater share of the overall allocation; that would be at the expense of the commercial fishermen. If we had limited entry within the charter fleet, it would raise the potential of all user groups to focus on areas of mutual concern such as conservation and enhancement.
Norm Carson
Salmon Hand troller andlicensed charter operator
Pelican