Hey Ukee, hi all,
Merry Christmas Happy New Year and such everyone.
Quotas and leave rest for sport fishing sounds good.
So lets get a good debate going to close this forum off for the year!@
So why stop at Halibut? What about ALL the ocean-faring the species, shellfish included?
By what the conservationists are saying, and from my personal observation; unless we seriously examine species conservation of ALL fisheries, there wont be a fishery for the children of our grandchildren.
And I have three grand-kids, and was a commercial fisherman in my youth - to give some perspective.
Certainly there are even some of our native brothers that might be willing to help as well , insuring that all humans adhere to the quotas? And switch to sports fishing ( low impact - high tourist dollar return as well all know) and strict all-encompassing quotas - no exceptions with serious consequences for poachers.
Maybe they could use their powerful public influence and political pull to sway the government and various departments into insuring the survival of our fisheries?
I know a solid native guy named Woody and Musqueam who has modern, realistic and educated views on the subject. There must be more like him.
I understand some people will lose their jobs, and may be forced to move to eco-tourism, and sport fish guiding, dropping their commercial fishing careers , with far more realistic and tight quotas in place.
I moved on, I am sure they can as well.
Personally observing a slow and steady decline ( and in some cases disappearance -like the colourful perch in Pender Harbour etc.) in all species in the last 50 years that saddens me to the core of my being.
It would just suck if more species die off and we cant take our grand-kids fishing - been some of the VERY best times of my life, and good eats as well.
Comments?
Willow-bee.