Fewer fish, more time

Anchorage Daily News: There may be little agreement between commercial and charter and sport fishermen over the Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for the Gulf of Alaska. But all hands seem to agree that Gulf stocks need to be sustained and fortified for everyone’s gain.

To that end, we’re glad the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has extended the public comment period for the proposed plan for an extra 15 days, until Sept. 21. Also welcome was the recent state legislative hearing on the issue.

The NOAA extension will allow time for many charter operators to weigh in. They’ve been working long summer-season days on the water out of communities like Homer and Seward. They haven’t had time to gather their thoughts for comment. The extension recognizes that.

Catch Share Plan

There’s a lot at stake. Charter operators in general oppose the cut to one halibut a day in possession, with size restrictions, that the Catch Share Plan aims to impose on Southcentral Alaska — it’s a limit already in effect in Southeast. Fishing opportunities and the fishing economies of Alaska coastal communities stand to take a hit.

At the same time, the resource has to be sustained.