Commercial Fishing Buyout

There are two bills in the state legislature regarding the buyout of the commercial netters in Ohio. The House Bill 609 sponsored by Representative McGregor and the Senate Bill 351 sponsored by Senator Spada.

These bills are similar to the 1984 gill net buyout. It provides up to $4M (million) for the buyout of commercial fishing privileges. The bills give each licensee one year of gross revenue, based on a 6 year average. There will be no commercial fishing in 2007.

Currently, on Lake Erie, there are 12 individuals who own the 18 trap net licenses. There are 20 seine licenses, but only 8 are operating. The License fees that Commercial Netters pay to the state are less than $120,000 per year. The expense of commercial fishing enforcement and assessment costs exceed $400,000 per year.

In 2005 the take on yellow perch was valued at $3.4 million dollars at dockside. Total take of all fish including Carp, Channel Cat, Sheephead, White Bass, White perch, Yellow Perch and others(?), was $4.2 million dollars. Of course Ohio shares in the sales tax of these fish. Sometimes, catches have been misreported to dodge the state tax.

Currently about half of Ohio’s perch catch is exported to Ontario for processing and marketing. A majority of Yellow perch in Ohio markets today originated in Ontario or were processed there. Perch and Walleye will continue to be readily available in Ohio markets.

Commercial netters removed 1.6 million pounds of Yellow Perch for Lake Erie in 2005. 430,000 pounds of White Perch were also removed. There is no information regarding mortality of by-catch of sports fish such as Walleye, Small Mouth Bass, and Steelhead that were killed by the netters in Lake Erie.

Sport Fishing in Ohio generates $1.8 billion dollars of economic impact through the sales of equipment, fuel, food, lodging, etc.

Ohio will continue to receive its annual fair share of Yellow Perch Quota. However, the quota will go to sport fishermen. O.C.B.S. supports this buyout and asks that you contact your State Representatives and tell them that you support the Commercial Buyout Bills.

Joe Moravec