Agenda item 7 Fish and Game Code 8494   Prior to the implementation of a halibut trawl restricted access program, the commission may consider requests… to transfer if   A) – –The permit holder has died –is permanently disabled –or the permit holder is at least 65 years of age and has decided to retire from commercial fishing.  AND

 B) –California halibut landings contributed significantly to the record and economic income derived from the vessel, –as determined by regulations adopted by the commission. –The commission may request information that it determines is reasonably necessary…for the purpose of verifying statements in the request prior to authorizing the transfer of the permit.

Halibut Bottom Trawl Vessel Permit History  Sept – previous boat owner and permit holder (Mr. Williamson) wrote DFG to request transfer  Reason “…can no longer fish due to my own personal disabilities”  Dec 2007 – DFG “denied” permit transfer –Documentation was questioned –Cc to new vessel owner (Mr. Drewisch)

 Oct 2010 – DFG wrote new vessel owner (Mr. Drewisch) –Referenced 2007 letter –Acknowledged applications by Mr Drewisch and granting of HBTVP to him by DFG for 2008, 2009 and 2010 –Requested again that HBTVP be returned

May 2011 – Mar 2012  Several letters back and forth regarding – a request to transfer – a request to appeal the DFG “decision” – advice to request transfer – a request to transfer

 May 2011 – Mr Drewisch wrote DFG –Asked DFG for specific information needed to transfer the permit  Oct 2011 – the FGC staff wrote Mr. Drewisch –Instructed Mr. Drewisch, should he wish, to write the FGC w/ a specific request to appeal including rationale/explanation

 Nov 2011 – letter from Mr. Drewisch – commenting on the statutory language –And specifically asked for FGC to approve the permit transfer  Nov 2011 (rc’vd by FGC in April 2012) – letter signed by Mr Williamson –“… quit the fishing business due to medical reasons”

 Jan 2012 letter from Mr Drewisch to FGC again requesting an appeal  Mar 2012 letter from FGC staff to Mr Drewisch –May be no grounds for an appeal –Recommended letter requesting a transfer of the HBTVP  Apr 2012 letter from Mr Drewisch to FGC president requesting transfer

So here we are today  Mr Drewisch is asking to transfer the CHBTVP for the F/V Belle Marie  on the table: –Does the commission find any of the 3 conditions (death, disability or retirement) have occurred? –Does the commission need any other information?

Recent transfers  has been more documentation of disability  and certainty to knowledge of ceasing commercial fishing activities  clearly more landings –Landings for F/V Belle Marie under Mr Williamson –2004 = 0 landings, 0 pounds –2005 = 15 landings, 289 pounds –2006 = 2 landings, 11 pounds

 landings for the F/V Belle Marie under Mr. Drewisch –2008 = 9 landings, 193 pounds –2009 = 10 landings, 456 pounds –2010 = 2 landings, 31 pounds