OldBlackDog
Well-Known Member
Steelhead Voices
24 mins ·
I'm sure I'm not alone in imagining different scenarios that may lie ahead. The message below instructs that fishing is an essential service. That news has been well received by the commercial fishing industry. One wonders how the (commercial) recreational fishing industry will react. I don't think it unrealistic to expect demands for similar treatment.
The looming question for me is will conservation be sacrificed on the alter of food safety and security and economic survival? Is there any group better at advancing its demands for government support than the unionists within the commercial fishing industry? Has conservation ever been a driving principle for the union spokespersons? I humbly suggest the word steelhead has never registered in their consciousness. Then there's "reconciliation" and the business of Food, Social and Ceremonial fisheries (not to mention demonstration fisheries and economic development fisheries) that have obviously superseded conservation in many situations.
Short days ago it occurred to me Covid-19 might not be a bad thing for fish conservation. Less people engaged and reduced harvest pressure from all sectors over the coming season seemed likely. Today, I'm not so sure. I wish no one any ill will over the circumstances we are all faced with in the world of the present. At the same time I'm thinking conservation standards that weren't doing the job pre-virus may be obviated by broader short term socio-political necessity.
Stay tuned.
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0020-000568…