WHEREAS the recreational and sport halibut fishery is an essential economic driver for many communities along the coast of British Columbia; AND WHEREAS the recreational and sport halibut fishery depends on an assurance of quota during a specific season to ensure that appropriate arrangements can be made for accommodations; AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans has created considerable uncertainty by delaying announcements or announcing unanticipated closures in recreational and sport halibut: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans ensure that the open season for the recreational and sport halibut fishery is set prior to the end of February and that the closing date to be no earlier than mid-September, subject to not exceeding the recreational fishing quota, to enable maximum benefit to be derived from this fishery.
