Evaluating the recreational fishery management toolbox: Charter captains' perceptions of harvest controls, limited access, and quota leasing in the guided halibut fishing sector in Alaska

Examining the reasons why individuals choose to participate or comply with certain fishing regulations is a key part of successful fisheries management. This paper presents a case study that evaluates fisher perceptions of multiple recreational fishery regulations, including traditionally used methods of bag and size limits and a novel regulation involving quota leasing, in the for-hire (i.e., charter) recreational fishing sector for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in Alaska. This study examined responses from open-ended and Likert-scale questions from semi-structured interviews with 45 charter operators in Homer and Sitka. Our results highlight that controls on individual harvest can be perceived to have unintended consequences for charter businesses, such as effects on profitability and distance traveled. In response to open-ended questions on a voluntary quota leasing program, participants discussed themes of inequity reflecting broader perceptions of conflicts with the commercial sector and the management system. Perceived inequities that have not been fully addressed can shape how stakeholders feel about current management institutions and affect compliance. Therefore, it is important to understand the historical and political contexts of fishery systems to better anticipate support for future management approaches.