October 15, 2014 — The North Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously agreed to initiate an analysis of a program that could change how the charter halibut industry purchases quota from the commercial fleet.
Currently, charter operators must buy the quota individually. The analysis will look at how the charter sector might buy it as a pool through a regional quota entity, and use the purchased quota to adjust the regulations for guided halibut anglers in an entire region.
Council member Ed Dersham, considered the sport representative on the council, made the motion for action.
The council’s advisory panel had recommended forming a committee to discuss the issue further, but the council’s action will instead direct staff to do an analysis of a regional quota entity structure that could purchase and hold quota on behalf of the industry. That’s the first step toward possible action, although the analysis will come back for review several times before the council votes to authorize the pooled purchases — or opts not to do so.
Read the full story from the Alaska Journal of Commerce