What can WE do to help save the salmon?

[Dave S]

There has been a lot of talk lately on what DFO needs to do to save the salmon. They do NEED to step up and make changes to their management and they NEED to base their decisions on science, not money or politics. But I have rarely heard suggestions on what we can do to save the salmon. I am interested in hearing what others have to say regarding this. Here are my thoughts on things we can do:

-water quality is an issue in most streams, rivers, lakes, oceans.... and it is only going to get worse.... take care in what you flush down the drain, wash into the storm system, leave behind on the roads and in the water(leaks on your truck, boat, car). I imagine that water quality is a large contributer to declining numbers.

-take only what you need. I have heard the rationale that if we don't take it, it is just going to end up in a net or on a line of a commercial boat, but this is not the way to think. Just my opinion. Be reasonable with how much you take and package well to avoid waste. I know we complain about FN dumping tons of wasted fish into the river, but if every sporty that regularly fished our waters disposed of 1 freezer burnt fish per year, that would add up to a decent amount of fish. I hope that it is not that common, but I know it happens.

-give back whenever you can. If you harvest food from the ocean, I think it is important to do something to give back to the eco system. Even if it's just picking up a little trash at your launch, volunteering at a stream enhancement, donating money or time to a local anglers club. Anything helps and I know the large majority on here do a lot to help out, and it shows, but if you are a lurker on here and have a chance to help out in the future, take it.

-speak up and speak out. I think this may be the most important......Inform others of the issues that our wildlife and waters are faced with, and encourage them to spread the word as well. If the opportunity arises where you can teach someone a little about fish farms, water quality, over harvesting, etc, take it. There are many people out there who are unaware of the challenges ahead of us. If you witness any act that is illegal or harmful to wildlife and waters, record and report it. Even if it`s something as simple as talking to your neighbor about washing the paint can out in the sink, or your buddy who is flushing his radiator in the driveway, speak up. Don`t need to lay into him, just let him know where those chemicals are headed. Never support unsustainable or farmed fish and tell your sister why she shouldn`t either.

I don`t want to start any fights, just want to encourage forward thinking.

[Foxsea]

There has been a lot of talk lately on what DFO needs to do to save the salmon. They do NEED to step up and make changes to their management and they NEED to base their decisions on science, not money or politics. But I have rarely heard suggestions on what we can do to save the salmon. I am interested in hearing what others have to say regarding this. Here are my thoughts on things we can do:

-water quality is an issue in most streams, rivers, lakes, oceans.... and it is only going to get worse.... take care in what you flush down the drain, wash into the storm system, leave behind on the roads and in the water(leaks on your truck, boat, car). I imagine that water quality is a large contributer to declining numbers.

-take only what you need. I have heard the rationale that if we don't take it, it is just going to end up in a net or on a line of a commercial boat, but this is not the way to think. Just my opinion. Be reasonable with how much you take and package well to avoid waste. I know we complain about FN dumping tons of wasted fish into the river, but if every sporty that regularly fished our waters disposed of 1 freezer burnt fish per year, that would add up to a decent amount of fish. I hope that it is not that common, but I know it happens.

-give back whenever you can. If you harvest food from the ocean, I think it is important to do something to give back to the eco system. Even if it's just picking up a little trash at your launch, volunteering at a stream enhancement, donating money or time to a local anglers club. Anything helps and I know the large majority on here do a lot to help out, and it shows, but if you are a lurker on here and have a chance to help out in the future, take it.

-speak up and speak out. I think this may be the most important......Inform others of the issues that our wildlife and waters are faced with, and encourage them to spread the word as well. If the opportunity arises where you can teach someone a little about fish farms, water quality, over harvesting, etc, take it. There are many people out there who are unaware of the challenges ahead of us. If you witness any act that is illegal or harmful to wildlife and waters, record and report it. Even if it`s something as simple as talking to your neighbor about washing the paint can out in the sink, or your buddy who is flushing his radiator in the driveway, speak up. Don`t need to lay into him, just let him know where those chemicals are headed. Never support unsustainable or farmed fish and tell your sister why she shouldn`t either.

I don`t want to start any fights, just want to encourage forward thinking.

X2 Awesome post, Dave! There's the spirit.
Maybe we can also get behind people that work tirelessly for wild salmon, like Alexandra Morton and Dr. Miller. They take a huge amount of ridicule from the vested interests - corporate and government - and I'm sure they could use a bit more support from the rec side.
Yeah - enough fightin' - time for some serious nature lovin'.

[profisher]

We need to be organized and lead by some passionate and level headed people who can align us with existing parties with common goals, develop a strategy to inform the public and force government to act. This will also require money as I really feel that those who would lead this effort should be paid as so few people have the time and resources do put forth and sustain this kind of effort on a volunteer basis.

[Foxsea]

We need to be organized and lead by some passionate and level headed people who can align us with existing parties with common goals, develop a strategy to inform the public and force government to act. This will also require money as I really feel that those who would lead this effort should be paid as so few people have the time and resources do put forth and sustain this kind of effort on a volunteer basis.

Wow - a very impressive post continuing a good theme.
Profisher: you are entirely on task with your specification for a leader - level-headed and passionate = charismatic for the media effect and our public image - no loose cannons attacking other players or packing historical baggage. This person should also be well-connected and credible with the established stakeholders, like the D.F.O. (just suck that up) and the F.N.s. Like the Butch Cassidy clip said: "Who is that guy?"

As far as contributing, I'm totally in. Constant recycling of the same old issues and grievances is not helping. I'm willing to contribute money when I can - regular monthly credit card or debit withdrawals are easy to set up. I'll contribute my time to get our message out - take some pressure off the salmon stocks, too.

We need an Executive Director - somebody from industry with the necessary organizational, P.R. and advocacy skills. This job profile might suit a semi-retired guy that loves fishing, too.

[LastChance]

At the end of the day, we do need a well funded organization to speak to our interests, and ensure that our side of the truth gets out there.

Come on, more closures? Lets see:

The ENTIRE Chinook fleet got shut down in the 90's. There are a couple of boats fishing, but that's it.

The Rec fleet? Our catch has been slashed %60 in our area alone, let alone several other areas. Still declining fish.

The problem is getting an answer out of DFO, who, unless their name is "Denying Fishing Opportunities", can't name a single proactive management or enhancement program in the last 9 years.


DFO must be drug in front of Canada's version of a grand jury and made to answer as to why they have done NOTHING to protect our fishery. They saw thsi coming in 2003, that much was said at our last meeting. 9 years later, we are here with a "wild salmon only' polciy that clearly is not working.

The department must be held accountable, and must answer to someone. Regretably, the sport sector has no clout to enforce such an answer, we need a well funded group to speak on our behalf.

[Foxsea]

The problem is getting an answer out of DFO, who, unless their name is "Denying Fishing Opportunities", can't name a single proactive management or enhancement program in the last 9 years. ...DFO must be drug in front of Canada's version of a grand jury and made to answer as to why they have done NOTHING to protect our fishery. They saw this coming in 2003, that much was said at our last meeting. 9 years later, we are here with a "wild salmon only' policy that clearly is not working.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMt9oFkYx8g Listen to his comments on D.F.O. and how we should act...

The department must be held accountable, and must answer to someone. Regretably, the sport sector has no clout to enforce such an answer, we need a well funded group to speak on our behalf.

We have many committed sport fishers - in the thousands. If we consider that a $30 resident anglers permit is a gift, we might pay forward by donating $10 for every fish we take away - 5 cans of Lucky! That could be thousands of dollars very quickly - on the honour system. Then find the leader that we desperately need.

[profisher]

Just to be clear...my idea puts fish first, not any sectors wish lists. Otherwise credibility could be an issue. Obviously I wouldn't want anyone leading who is anti-fishing either.

[reelfast]

i sincerely recommend that you start reading all about what has happened in the PNW. you future is starting to look more and more like exactly what ours looks like right now. joining forces with conservation groups is in your long term best interests. you are in a position to bring information to these groups and help them shape whatever action they move forward with in defense of fish. labelling them is only going to hurt the fish and serve to identify yourself as a red neck not caring rapist of the resource. i strongly suggest you take a deep breath and join any and every conservation group in canada that you can identify focused on helping to preserve your environment and fish.

there are really hard lessons to learn and difficult pills to swallow with regard to anadramous fish. among them is the damage, many times irreversable, done by hatcheries and the genetic modifications that result. go on line and check our seasons in washington state if you want to see your future. you are not that far away from exactly where we are right now. keeping kicking that can down the road and see what hell breaks loose for yourselves. the rec angling community has far too many experts, thats you and me, for our own good. each of us knows exactly how to fix everything and that is exactly why nothing gets fixed.

best to turn over the reins and the dollars to big established groups who have an agenda you can agree with. we have a fine example of this right here on the pennisula of 4 small PNW conservations groups taking on the 500 pound goreillas, NOAA, NMFS, NPS, WDFW, Lower Elwha S'Klallam, and putting the breaks on yet another environmental disaster for our fish. it can be done, it takes the right mind set, dollars (yours and mine) and orginized groups willing to litigate.

when you identify canadian groups of such stature, please post their web addresses as many of us down this way are more than willing to send bucks to organizations who take action. your letters, phone calls, ass time in endless meetings are all 'feel good' activities for you as individuals, but at the end of the day you are going to discover exactly what we already know, litigation is required and only organized groups have the fire power to carry that off.

all the best, protect what you have and recognize that you too are going to have to sacrafice to save your resources.

[Foxsea]

... you are in a position to bring information to these (conservation groups) groups and help them shape whatever action they move forward with in defense of fish. labelling them is only going to hurt the fish and serve to identify yourself as a red neck not caring rapist of the resource. i strongly suggest you take a deep breath and join any and every conservation group in canada that you can identify focused on helping to preserve your environment and fish.

the rec angling community has far too many experts, thats you and me, for our own good. each of us knows exactly how to fix everything and that is exactly why nothing gets fixed.

best to turn over the reins and the dollars to big established groups who have an agenda you can agree with. when you identify canadian groups of such stature, please post their web addresses as many of us down this way are more than willing to send bucks to organizations who take action. ...you are going to discover exactly what we already know, litigation is required and only organized groups have the fire power to carry that off.

Many of us feel that Alexandra Morton's group is one of the best: http://www.salmonaresacred.org/
Another that's battling fish farms and the big oil lobby: http://wildernesscommittee.org/what_..._pacific_coast
Thanks R.F., for your enlightened observations and any support you can offer.

[Little Hawk]

Great post RF! Another sagacious Yank reaching out to us Canuck bro's. Thank-you!

I think you are right on the mark with reference to the litigation-bullet but would argue (with all due respect to the great work so many individuals & groups do for conservation) that the ideal front would not be "groups" but if at all possible - one cohesive lobby of recreational fisherman who put the long-term welfare of WILD-FISH-FIRST AND ARE WILLING TO PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTHS ARE!

Imagine for a minute if you will - nearly 500,000 united BC rec-fisherman and supporters taking a swing at the FED!

OUCH!