Alaska Charter Association

To Protect the Rights and Conserve the Resources of Alaska's Sport Fishery
Alaska Charter News: 
May 2018
North Council Meets in Kodiak June 4-11

The main recreational halibut fishing issue that was to be considered at the NPFMC's next meeting was the rental boat business in Alaska. However, at the last minute, this item was pulled from the Council's agenda next week, and will be taken up at a later date.

A handful of businesses offer boat rentals, and some of those recreational anglers catch halibut. ACA and other fisherman predicted this outcome years ago when the recreational sector was split into "guided" and "unguided." 

While unguided anglers can rent boats, it's not clear how much halibut they catch and, if new regulations are put into place, how that catch would be accounted for under the Halibut Catch Sharing Plan. Since unguided anglers have a different bag limit and no allocation under the CSP, it would not be appropriate to manage this catch under guided fishing regulations. 

Various regulations are being considered, including registration of businesses that rent vessels to the public, keeping logbooks of the halibut catch on these boats, and requiring unguided anglers to follow the regulations and bag limits for guided anglers under the catch sharing plan.


Another Benefit of ACA Membership

Full ACA members receive a link on the ACA website to their charter business' website. Potential clients like to see their charter captains engaged in conservation and the management process to defend the rights of recreational fishermen in Alaska. We've updated  this page of members and their websites, so if you've neglected to renew, please do so now and we won't have to drop you from sight!
North Council Member Andy Mezirow on Hand in Kodiak to Meet with Local Charter Operators June 4th

Council Member Andy Mezirow, along with Recreational Fisheries Coordinator Kurt Iverson, will be at Fisherman's Hall in Kodiak to answer any questions about halibut management in an informal setting, on Monday June 4th from 7pm 'til 9pm. Andy hopes to explain where we are in the management process, topics under discussion at the Council meeting in Kodiak June 4-11, what to expect in future Council meetings and how to participate effectively in the fishery management process. 
 
  • Because 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.
  • Because you have no time to attend important meetings that may further impact your future. 
  • You belong to the Alaska Charter Association.
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. 

It's easy



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