| New Permit System Projected to Eliminate 38% | | | | running a restaurant in 2004 or 2005 and 2008, |
| of Alaska's Halibut Charter Businesses beginning in | | | | you're out of business." |
| 2011 | | | | Howard did not fish in 2004 or 2005 because he |
| Under the new permit system announced in | | | | was investing $100k in upgrading his 32-foot Sea |
| January 2010 by the National Oceanic and | | | | Nymph so he will not qualify for a permit. If |
| Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), all Alaska | | | | Howard wants to continue in the business, he will |
| halibut fishing charter boats will be required to | | | | be forced to buy a transferable permit. Several |
| carry a new limited entry permit in order to legally | | | | permits are for sale on both Craigslist and SE |
| fish for halibut beginning in the 2011 season. | | | | Alaska Guides Organization for $100k or more. |
| In order to qualify for a permit, businesses will | | | | Several experts on Alaska fishing have |
| have to prove that they made at least five | | | | commented that by making the permits |
| halibut fishing trips in three random years - 2004, | | | | transferable, they have created a windfall for |
| 2005 and 2008. Those that cannot show this | | | | those that were in the "right place at the right |
| usage in those years will be out of luck. | | | | time" and qualify based upon the randomly chosen |
| The NOAA has stated that the new regulations | | | | years of operation. A halibut captain getting ready |
| are necessary to restrict the amount of charter | | | | to retire has likely just received a substantial |
| halibut fishing boats and prevent overfishing. | | | | retirement bonus through the market design of |
| However, based on IPHC 2009 Report, the | | | | this program. |
| Alaska sport halibut fishing industry's harvest of | | | | In any case, what is clear is that the new |
| 8.7 million pounds represents less than 13% of the | | | | regulations will significantly change the halibut |
| total halibut harvested; by comparison, the | | | | charter industry by reducing competition and, |
| commercial halibut fishing industry harvested 51.2 | | | | according to the 259-page Environmental |
| million pounds and represented 76% of the 2009 | | | | Assessment & Impact Report, it will put almost 4 |
| total halibut catch. | | | | Alaska charter businesses out of 10 out of |
| NOAA's new regulations will significantly impact the | | | | business. 327 businesses in regions 3A and 2C are |
| charter boat industry. Opponents of the rules | | | | not projected to qualify for permits, while 527 |
| decry that the regulations are un-American and | | | | businesses will receive permits. |
| anti-free enterprise. Bob Howard, owner-operator | | | | Further information on the new charter Alaska |
| of Sea Nymph Charter complains that the | | | | halibut fishing permit program can be found on the |
| regulations are "in conflict with the American free | | | | NOAA website. |
| enterprise system. It's like saying if you weren't | | | | |