SEAGO announces a two step program to save charter businesses and local economies from the devastating effect of pending regulations:
- Step One – Save the 2010 season: Regulations are
currently being considered that would reduce our halibut catch
by another 39% on top of the 55% reduction we suffered last year.
SEAGO is working hard to stop such regulations.
- Step Two – The Southeast Alaska Economic Recovery (SEAKER) Program is being developed to rescue coastal communities from the recession and mitigate the impact of the halibut Catch Sharing Plan that will be implemented in 2011.
These strategies need large scale charter industry support in order to succeed – and that means you.
Major regulatory changes are about to be implemented that will affect your 2010 season and beyond. The upcoming season could collapse if proposed halibut restrictions are imposed and the Catch Sharing plan scheduled for 2011 will strike a final blow resulting in less than one fish, in-season closures and worse. In addition, these regulations will have a major economic impact on the communities where we live and work. SEAGO is taking a pragmatic two part approach to protect your interests for both the short term and beyond.
Step One - Catch recommendations for 2010 have been announced by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) to limit the guided sport catch to 788,000 lbs in Area 2C, down another 39% from last year. In addition, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) has directed the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to implement restrictions to achieve that goal. Final regulations are expected to be announced at the next NPFMC meeting in April, if not before.
The chart below illustrates that the 2009 guided sport catch was down 55% due to the general economic downturn and the introduction of the one halibut regulation last June.
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Various alternatives are being considered to limit the guide sector to the GHL estimate of 788,000 lbs for 2010. Based on the 2009 average weight, such a move would further reduce our catch to just over 30,000 fish, resulting in an additional 39% reduction. This will effectively limit us to less than one fish per day or worse.
Commercial fishing groups have called for additional restrictions, (just two examples, here and here.) They have recommended imposition of annual limits, in-season closures, and catch size limitations.
SEAGO will be speaking out at the upcoming IPHC meeting at the end of January, we have contacted NMFS with recommendations, and will continue to work behind the scenes to represent charter interests. Our short term goal is to at least preserve the one-fish rule with no additional restrictions for 2010. We will keep you informed as new information/updates become available.
Step Two - The halibut Catch Sharing Plan is scheduled for implementation in 2011 – (information here: and here ) If this plan is implemented as currently written:
- Local communities throughout Southeast Alaska will suffer a major economic decline,
- Your clients will be subjected to a one fish bag limit forever and face size limitations and in-season closures for the foreseeable future, and
- The ongoing viability of your charter business will be seriously at risk.
The impact of sport fish regulations reaches well beyond the guided sport industry. From Ketchikan to Juneau to Elfin Cove, our communities have limited economic diversity and sport fishing makes a major contribution to our economic health. Local communities have been seriously affected by the recession and the charter industry slowdown. In 2009, we suffered a 30%+ decline in business and current forecasts show no recovery in 2010(2). This slowdown will cost our local communities an estimated $200M in economic activity, loss of 2,000 jobs, and closure of at least 150 small businesses over a two year timeframe.
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The two key contributors to this decline are the economic slowdown and increased fishing regulations that have seriously affected the regions’ reputation as a sportfishing destination.
Southeast Alaska Economic Recovery Program - SEAGO has been working hard to develop the Southeast Alaska Economic Recovery (SEAKER) Program which is designed to mitigate the impact of BOTH the economic downturn and the upcoming catch sharing plan. This program takes a pragmatic approach to preserving the charter industry in Southeast and places a laser focus on economic recovery in the communities where we live and work.
Key features of the plan include:
- Solicitation of $44M in federal stimulus funding to mitigate the impact of the recession in communities throughout Southeast Alaska.
- Implementation of halibut allocation changes for the charter industry through a limited open market IFQ purchase initiative and integration into the upcoming Catch Sharing Plan.
- Mitigation programs to help offset impacts to commercial fishermen and processors.
- Additional features to be announced shortly.
In addition to providing economic stimulus to our local communities, we believe this program will serve as an important industry pressure relief valve. It is specifically designed to reduce the impact of the recession and lower halibut catch rates in both the charter and commercial fishing industries, and diminish friction between the groups.
There are additional details still to be finalized and SEAGO is diligently working with Washington DC groups, and other stakeholders to iron them out. While this program is not yet a done deal we are confident that it is the best approach to solve the current halibut issues. SEAGO will provide you with periodic updates over the next several months as more information becomes available.
Please contribute to SEAGO - The only way we can be successful is with your direct participation. In the weeks and months to come we will provide you with specific action items that each of you will need to execute. Nothing will move forward unless decision makers hear from a lot of us with a consistent message.
You can start by contributing to our efforts. Will you please take a few minutes and join SEAGO with your membership and financial contribution?
It takes time, money, and dedication to defend your interests and SEAGO is there to fight on your behalf; but we need your help to continue.
- For detail information about our accomplishments, 2010 plans, and registration info, read the membership package, or
- If you already know all the great things SEAGO does to support guides and lodge owners, just open the registration form and instructions.
- If you would like to register and contribute online click here
Investing a couple of minutes of your time now will ensure that you have a voice of reason representing you throughout the year. And because there is strength in numbers, ask a friend to join too!
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Thanks in advance for your continued support of SEAGO. If you have any questions in advance, please contact John Blair, Executive Director, at john@seagoalaska.org
