December 23, 2010

Honourable Gail Shea

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
200 Kent Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E6

Dear Minister Shea:

The BC Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA) is writing to express our concern about the
future of the recreational halibut fishery in British Columbia, and the looming crisis our
members are faced with regards to access to equitable fishing opportunities. The WTA acts on
behalf of the 2200 nature-based tourism operators in British Columbia. Direct annual revenue in
the industry is approximately $1.5 billion with the vast potential for growth.

Sport fishing is an important component of B.C.’s economy, contributing hundreds of millions of

dollars every year. Commercial guiding, lodges and resorts alone accounts for approximately
$135 million, and forms a cornerstone for B.C.’s $13 billion tourism industry. B.C. has a
reputation as one of the world’s premier angling destinations and there are excellent examples of
extraordinary fishing in areas throughout the province where anglers can selectively catch world
record size fish.

Sport fishing is a key contributor to BC’s GDP and a significant private sector employer in B.C.
When indirect and induced benefits are considered the economic significance of sport fishing in
B.C. is immense. Sport fishing operators are local businesses and residents who hire B.C.
citizens, purchase local services, and pay local, provincial and federal taxes.

In order to continue to be sustainable and successful, and contribute fully to the province’s future
growth, the sport fishing sector requires a certain and equitable operating environment. We need
reliable and equitable access to the total allowable catch (TAC) in order to sustain the high value
sport fishing B.C. is known for around the world. The continued status quo 88/12 allocation of
the halibut resource and subsequent decreases in recreational fishing opportunities (i.e. decreases
in bag limits or season length) puts the future of our economically significant sector at risk.

In addition, the concentration of ownership/operations of the halibut resource in B.C. in recent

years may further weaken the economic benefits of the fishery to British Columbia. The
corporations, which operate many of B.C. commercial halibut licenses are integrated companies.
Often the use of those internal resources reduces the amount of spin-off economic benefit to local
contractors and suppliers.

Wilderness  Tourism  Associa1on    PO.  Box  423    Cumberland,  BC    V0R  1S0      250-­‐336-­‐2862    www.bcwta.ca
This issue is not a question of fisheries conservation, a area the sport fishing sector has taken a
leadership role in for the past several years (conservation and stewardship are paramount to
sustaining businesses), but rather it is a question of fair allocation or ownership. Pacific Coast
halibut is one of the best managed fisheries on the planet, the stocks are sustainable while
supporting a reasonable harvest. All Canadians want to continue this sustainable fishery, we just
want our ability to participate in it. A policy, which supports a 2 halibut per day limit and total
possession limit of 2 halibut is is one that supports a fair allocation. We also need certainty that
the limits will be maintained at those levels throughout the seasons.

We urge you to take a leadership role and the necessary steps to ensure the sustainable
recreational limits for halibut are maintained at 2 per day and 2 possession. The health and
survival of our members businesses, and all sport fishing businesses, people and economies on
the west coast, depend on a positive outcome. We are counting on the Federal government to
make the right decision.

Respectfully,

Evan Loveless
Executive Director
BC Wilderness Tourism Association

Wilderness  Tourism  Associa1on    PO.  Box  423    Cumberland,  BC    V0R  1S0      250-­‐336-­‐2862    www.bcwta.ca