Are B.C. sports fishermen honest in halibut count?

摘要

Truth or fiction: Sports fishermen sure weren't happy when the recreational halibut fishery was closed Oct. 18.DFO announced the closure when the recreational share of the total allowable catch (TAC) was reached. The recreational fleet is guaranteed 12 percent of Canada's total allowable catch of halibut as determined by the Pacific Halibut Commission. With thisyear's Canadian allocation set at 7,500,000, the sport catch was 900,000 pounds. The commercial catch limit was 6,598,560 pounds. As of Oct. 12, the commercial fleet had caught 5,472,934 pounds. In recent years, the recreational fleet has taken more than its share and had to purchase quota from the commercial fleet to account for its catch.