Outdoors Notebook | Alaska halibut plan would give more control to commercial fishermen

The Alaskan charter boat industry was dealt a blow last week that could affect visiting sport anglers targeting halibut by 2011.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted 10-1 to allocate halibut between commercial and guided recreational anglers in southeast and south central Alaska.

This is expected to take effect in time for the 2011 fishing season if approved by the Secretary of Commerce.

Based on halibut biomass projections provided by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, it will allow southeast Alaska guided anglers to catch one halibut per day — down from the current two — with the opportunity to lease from a commercial fisherman the right to catch a second halibut.

"It basically gives the commercial fishermen total control of the halibut market," said Rob Endsley, owner and guide of Prince of Wales Sportfishing in Craig, Alaska. "This shows no responsibility with the resource, and the halibut biomass is supposed to go up in the next 10 years. So it has nothing to do with conservation."

"It is a total control game," Endsley said. "We lease quota from the commercials, and they get to charge us whatever they want. I calculated what it would cost me to purchase about 8,000 pounds of halibut and it would be a ridiculous amount. That is totally wrong."

According to the Dock Street Brokers Web site, the longliner halibut commercial fishermen in southeast Alaska (Catch Area 2C) were asking anywhere from $21 to $28 per pound.

In south central Alaska, sport anglers would still be able to catch two halibut daily, but that could be reduced in the future.

Charter operators don't believe the options before the fishery council reflect the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, which requires allocation of halibut fishing privileges be fair and equitable among all user groups regardless of state residence.

According to the Charter Halibut Task Force, since 1995, commercial fishermen have caught an average of 89 percent of all halibut taken off the coast of Alaska (including bycatch). In contrast, guided recreational anglers have averaged less than 7 percent of the catch over the same period.

"We are very disappointed that state and federal representatives on the council were more interested in protecting the value of commercial IFQs [Individual Fishing Quota] than in protecting the public's access to the halibut resource," Larry McQuarrie, co-founder of the Charter Halibut Task Force said in an e-mail. "Now guided anglers have to rent the resource from commercial fishermen."

Charter operators proposed a daily limit of two halibut except during a conservation crisis, when limits drop to one.

"The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates a change to a one-halibut daily limit could result in up to a 30 percent reduction in angler demand, meaning 27,000 fewer people flying into southeast Alaska this year," the Alaska Charter Halibut Task Force stated in a release.

The task force also said charter fishing opportunities are a big factor in Alaska tourism and is the state's second-largest industry. Of the 502,000 sport fishing licenses Alaska sells annually, 315,000 go to nonresident anglers.

Eastern Washington rivers open for hatchery steelhead fishing

Hatchery steelhead have become free game to anglers on the Upper Columbia, Methow and Okanogan rivers.

Anglers will be allowed to keep two adipose-fin-clipped hatchery steelhead daily, which must be at least 20 inches long.

"By removing hatchery-origin steelhead and allowing a proportionally greater number of wild steelhead onto the spawning grounds, these fisheries will help further fish recovery efforts aimed at protecting and recovering wild steelhead populations," Jeff Koenings, director of state Fish and Wildlife said in a news release. "Besides offering a great fall fishing opportunity, these fisheries also will provide an economic boost to communities along the Columbia River."

Steelhead fisheries are carefully managed to assure that natural-origin steelhead returning to the upper Columbia River Basin survive to spawn.

While the fisheries are scheduled to remain open through March 31, they could close earlier if the allowable incidental impact to wild steelhead is reached.

"During previous fisheries, most anglers have done a good job of following the selective fishing rules," Koenings said. "They need to keep doing their part if these fishing opportunities are going to continue into the future."

Also, the Similkameen River also will open to hatchery steelhead retention beginning Nov. 15.

Anglers should check the regulations for specific gear allowed and other rules.

Word on razor clams

The autumn coastal razor clam digs is set to begin Oct. 16, and prospects for digging look excellent.

"If the weather holds, and that is always the big question, we will see some great digging," said Dan Ayres, head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish biologist. "There is a variety of big and small clams mixed in on the beaches, which bodes well for future populations."

If marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat, digging will be allowed noon to midnight each day Oct. 16-18 at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks, and Oct. 17-18 at Long Beach.

The final marine toxin results will be announced by Oct. 14.

Low tides: Oct. 16, minus-1.5 feet at 8:30 p.m.; Oct. 17, minus-1.5 at 9:17 p.m.; Oct. 18, minus-1.2 at 10:08 p.m.

More tentative digging dates at select beaches are Nov. 13-16 and Dec. 11-14 at Mocrocks and Copalis, and Nov. 14-16 and Dec. 12-14 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors.

Notes

• Outdoor Emporium, 1701 4th Ave. South in Seattle is hosting a series of free seminars 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25. Guest speakers Eli Rico of HotShot Guide Service will discuss coho and chum fishing in the Snohomish River. Mark Spada with Yakima/Worden's Lures will discuss the newest products such as U.V. Lures how, why they work, and Jim Mercer with Fetha Styx Newest Custom Rods will discuss new Twitchin' rods and techniques. Details: 206-624-6550.

• The Kingston Puget Sound Anglers Chapter meeting is 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club, 25915 Washington Blvd. N.E. Gary Loomis, founder of Coastal Conservation Association of the Pacific Northwest, will discuss enhancing fisheries. Details: 360-930-3223.

• The Sportsman's Warehouse in Federal Way is hosting a free winter blackmouth fishing seminar at noon Oct. 25 with John Abbott of Captain Downriggin's Charter. Michael Martin is also hosting an Introduction to Fly-Fishing the Lakes Class this month. Details: 253-835-4100.

• Tao Berman will speak and sign his new book, "Going Vertical: The Life of an Extreme Kayaker," at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the REI Seattle Store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Details: 206-223-1944.

• The Eastside Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E. in Redmond. Terry Wiest of Steelhead University will discuss float fishing for salmon and steelhead. Details: 425-562-9180.

• Snowboy Productions and Boarderline Snowboard Shop are hosting the free Downtown Throwdown Invitational Snowboard Rail Session 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Qwest Field.

The featured talent of 20 riders include Scott Stevens, Austin Smith, Zac Marben, Nick Dirks, Jonas Micholot, Jed Anderson, Austin Hironaka, Ivan Marcinko and Austen Sweetin. Details: www.snowboyproductions.us.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers Club meets Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Haller Lake Community Center. Guest speaker is Ray Gould, an author and bamboo rod-maker. Details: 425-990-8800.

• The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association's Banquet and Auction is Nov. 1 at the Twin Lakes G&CC in Federal Way. Cost is $75 per person. Details: 503-631-8859 or email nsiaoutreach@comcast.net.

• There are two public workshops to discuss the preliminary results of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River Studies 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, 319 Second Ave. S. in Seattle, and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the North Cascades National Park Headquarters, 810 State Route 20 in Sedro-Woolley. To view the plan go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/rola.

• The Greenland Sea Kayak Instruction with the masters hosted by the Kayak Academy is today and Monday at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah. Maligiaq Padilla from Sisimiut, Greenland will be at the event. Lessons are available and registration is required. Details: 206-527-1825 or kayak@kayakacademy.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities, including the big-buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7 to 9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th S.W. in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com