Alaska Charter Association

To Protect the Rights and to Conserve the Resources of Alaska's Sport Fishery
ACA News November 2016
 
ACTION ALERT: North Council Meets & Needs to Hear from YOU on Allocation of Halibut

Break out the pens and paper, people! Next month, the NPFMC will meet in Anchorage to decide on the final options for a Compensated Re-Allocation of Pacific Halibut to add to the share of the pie we split with commercial longline fishermen. Under the Recreational Quota Entity, we can start adding to our allocation with the goal of returning to our traditional seasons and bag limits. The Council needs to hear from you: the deadline for written public comment is November 29th, 5pm. You can also testify in person at the Council meeting in Anchorage on December 7-9th. There will be opportunities to participate at the Advisory Panel, testimony to the full Council, and various subcommittees during this time. 

ACA President Richard Yamada recently published an editorial in Fish Alaska Magazine to educate the public about the issue.
Declining halibut stocks are making a bad situation worse, and more restrictions are likely unless the RQE program moves forward. Your action now can make the difference. We need to communicate our interests to Council members who will be making the decision soon. Here's how you can help: write a letter to the Council, show up and testify and be a part of the solution.

Over the next few days we'll have further updates at our new blog on the ACA website. You should bookmark it because we will always have the latest and most detailed info here there, even when there isn't time to do a full newsletter: http://alaskacharter.blogspot.com.













Recreational Reception with NOAA Staff

ACA is hosting a Reception and Recreational Roundtable with NOAA staff in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act on Wednesday, Dec. 7th from 6-8pm at the Historic Anchorage Hotel (330 E Street, Anchorage) in the Will Rogers Room. Refreshments will be served. This will be an opportunity to share your thoughts with NOAA higher-ups and visit with industry colleagues during the long Council week, should you be able to attend the meeting. RSVP Richard Yamada at richard@alaskacharter.org.

ACA Board of Directors Elections

Each year the Alaska Charter Association holds elections for members of the Board of Directors. All full ACA members are eligible to vote. Next month we'll be sending out ballots to members with short biographies of each candidate. Board members serve rotating, two-year terms. 

Thanks to all renewing members who responded to the invoices we send out last month. The response has been tremendous! Your support is crucial and appreciated. Without a healthy membership the ACA would not be able to continue its work to sustain our fisheries and the sportfishing industry in Alaska. 

If you haven't renewed, or need to Join the Crew, it's easy: follow this link to step up and become a Member.

Meeting Schedule

Nov. 29, 5pm:
Deadline for public comment for RQE program at NPFMC

Nov. 29-30:
I PHC Interim Meeting in Seattle - 
Blue Line recommendations released

Nov. 30th:
Homer Charter Association Meeting: 6pm at Chamber of Commerce

Nov. 30-Dec 3:
Board of Fish Meeting Oceans & Islands Center Homer

Dec. 6-15:
North Pacific Fishery Council Meeting, Hilton Hotel, Anchorage

Dec. 6, 9am-12pm:
Charter Halibut Implementation Committee

Dec. 6, 1pm- 5pm:
Recreational Quota Entity Committee

Dec. 7, 8am- 5pm: 
Advisory Panel (RQE testimony)

Dec. 7, 6-8pm:
ACA Hosts Recreational Reception with NOAA Staff in connection to the 40th Anniversary of MSA: Historic Anchorage Hotel, Will Smith Room, 330 E St.

Dec. 9
RQE Public Testimony to the full Council; 
Also: Discussion of White Paper on Charter Halibut Permit Leasing

Board of Fish Meets in Homer Nov. 30- Dec. 3

Where: Oceans & Islands Center, Homer, AK
 
A number of proposals affecting Cook Inlet fishing opportunities are on the table at the Board of Fish meeting, and it's a rare opportunity for the Homer fleet to attend close to home.

Cook Inlet recreational fishermen are proposing a review of the guideline harvest limit on Upper Cook Inlet returning spawner king salmon, given the new data from ADF&G that over 90% of the king salmon landed by recreational fishermen in Cook Inlet saltwater are from other stocks. It could potentially lead to a removal of the summertime annual limit of 5 kings per year. 


Speaking of the Boards of Fish & Game, the Governor's office announced they will be making board member appointments for 2017 over the next few weeks - i f you want more details, click here.


  • Do you find most of your time is being spent in damage control brought on by regulations that continue to decrease fishing opportunity for your clients? 
  • No time to attend important meetings that may further impact your future? 
  • Hair Loss? * 

If your dreams include flying scales and full fish totes, You 
need the Alaska Charter Association to inform, educate, and fight for you  
at these important fisheries meetings. 
(*You're on your own about the hair loss...)

Do yourself a favor and join us now! 
click here: 

DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR WORK!