Will BC Fisheries Move To An Owner-Operator Licencing System?
British Columbia’s licencing and quota system for fisheries could soon be seeing much needed reforms. The BC government has announced its intentions to work with the federal government to transition the province’s individual transferable quota (ITQ) system to an owner-operator system.
CANFISCO and the Individual Transfer Quota (ITQ) System
The ITQ system has had a negative impact on owner-operated small boats. It has become increasingly common for owner-operators not to be able to afford quota. The result is an industry that should be community-based but is instead under the control of corporations.