OldBlackDog
Well-Known Member
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This was passed along from an old friend . I re-post it here as a signal to those who may be involved in the federal government's process around listing Interior Fraser Steelhead (principally Thompson and Chilcotin stocks) as endangered under Canada's Species At Risk Act.
If ever you wondered where DFO is coming from on the consultation agenda they've developed to address the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada's recommendation that those steelhead be listed as endangered, wonder no more. For DFO staff to cite data known to grossly underestimate the real commercial fishery steelhead catches in Johnstone Strait and everywhere else up and down the coast for First Nations interests to exploit in their, by invitation only, private sessions with DFO is criminal. The listed conclusions from "DFO South Coast (Johnstone Strait) staff are outrageous. Heads should roll for such blatant evidence of bias.
Island Marine Aquatic Working Group
Yesterday at 11:56 AM ·
Steelhead (SARA Listing) Consultations: November 2 and 15
IMPORTANT POINTS FOR ATTENDING!
If listed, 60 day window closures will be implemented in:
• Strait of Georgia (including Areas 14-18, Area 28 and 29),
• Johnston Strait (Area 11-13 and Area 111),
• Strait of Juan de Fuca (Area 19 and 20),
• Fraser River
• West Coast of Vancouver Island (Area 21, 121-127, Area 26-27).
Conclusions from DFO South Coast (Johnston Strait) staff:
• “Even when steelhead abundance was high and fishery effort was at it’s peak, there were little encounters”.
• Encounters occur primarily July through September NOT October
• No DNA to determine if fish encountered are Interior Fraser or Vancouver Island stocks.
• Area 12 test fishery (Round Island) 30 years of data, only encountered a total of 190 steelhead
• Over 50 years, purse seine test fishery in Johnston Strait encountered a total of 497 steelhead.
• Area 12 seine average CPUE from 1990 through 2017 have been 0.015 steelhead.
• TWO (2) steelhead caught in historic guide look book data from Area 111 and 127.
• Sale slip data from period when steelhead were allowed to be retained indicates an average of 1300 steelhead encountered.
These closures, if steelhead are listed, will impact and restrict Section 35.1 and other fisheries. We highly encourage you to attend and put forward your wisdom, knowledge, experience and concerns.
IMAWG can provide you will data materials if needed.
November 2, Coast Discovery Inn, Campbell River 9:00am to 3:00pm
November 15, Vancouver Island Conference Center, Nanaimo 9:00am to 3:00pm
RSVP the SARA program at sara.xpac@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or call 250 -720-4445.