So, when earlier this week
The Dino announced the overturn of the controversial ruling that the recreational sector was limited to one spring over 77cm and one under in the terminal areas of The Alberni Inlet system, many jumped for joy. There really isn't a significant presence of the "under" sized jacks, so this meant that catching a daily 2 fish limit became a much more feasible possibility.
I read that announcement with both a feeling of relief (as I felt that the rule as it stood would likely have the exact opposite effect of that which it was designed for) and yet a stronger feeling of dread. The announcement began with the line "
Stronger than anticipated chinook returns to Alberni Inlet..." To me that implied the distinct possibility
The Dino was about to announce it's old Buddies in the Bag Fleet were about to be unleashed once again on a barely minimal run yet again...
Thus, when I returned home for a brief day down this morning, that feeling of dread once again came over me as I opened my Emails. aYup, there it was, the
VERY thing I had been hoping that some smattering of common sense might prevail and avoid. For your reading displeasure:
quote:Subject: FN0644-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine - Area B - Alberni Inlet Chinook Opportunity - August 24
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0644-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine - Area B - Alberni Inlet Chinook Opportunity - August 24
Stronger than anticipated chinook returns to Alberni Inlet have presented an
opportunity for expanded terminal fisheries targeting the enhanced Robertson
Creek hatchery stock. The pre-season forecast of Barkley Sound chinook was
upgraded from 47,000 chinook to 57,000 chinook, which provides a commercial
allocation of approximately 7000 chinook. The Area B seine TAC is 2800.
A seine opening is scheduled for upper Alberni Inlet on Monday August 24 and
Tuesday August 25. The fishery will end when the TAC is achieved. It is
anticipated that a maximum of three seine vessels will participate in this
opening. Vessel participation in this fishery is being coordinated through the
Seine Working Group process by the Area B Harvest Committee.
Area 23 - Alberni Inlet
Seines open from 06:00 hours until 19:30 hours Monday, August 24 and from 06:00
hours until 19:30 hours Tuesday, August 25 in that portion of Subarea 23-1
bounded in the north by a line from a boundary sign at the Harbour Quay clock
tower in Port Alberni harbour to a boundary sign on the opposite shore of
Alberni Inlet and in the south by a boundary line from the Dunsmuir Pt. light
to a boundary sign on the opposite shore at 49°09.66#146;N latitude, 124°47.72#146;W
longitude (approximately 0.75km north of China Creek breakwater). Minimum bunt
mesh size is 70 mm. The target species is chinook; incidentally caught coho
may be retained. Sockeye, pink, chum and steelhead may not be retained.
All catch must be brailed and the use of power skiffs is approved.
V.O.# 2009-SAL-23-SN-03, V.O.# 2009-SAL-23-SN-04
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
DFO Port Alberni (250) 720-4440
No surprise really I guess. The Bag Fleets have oft carried the day with
The Dino, who obviously prefers their favor over that of the troll fleet, the recreational sector, and most unfortunately the health of the resource itself. Given their propensity to miscalculating nearly every run they attempt to forecast (see the related threads regarding the "missing" Fraser sockeye) one would think that erring on the side of caution would be warranted. And even though earlier this year
The Dino was publicly considering "
conservation measures" to address the low forecast numbers, somehow an additional 10,000 fish have
magically appeared in their forecast model. Computer fish that is. The reason the numbers are depressed this year can be traced back to exactly the same type of opening 4 years ago - the brood year for this year's run, combined with unleashing the gillnet fleet as well. And so it is with no surprise again that we witness:
quote:Category(s): COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
Subject: FN0645-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net - Area D - Alberni Inlet Chinook Opportunity - August 24
Stronger than anticipated chinook returns to Alberni Inlet have presented an
opportunity for expanded terminal fisheries targeting the enhanced Robertson
Creek hatchery stock. The pre-season forecast of Barkley Sound chinook was
upgraded from approximately 47,000 chinook to 57,000 chinook, which provides a
commercial allocation of approximately 7000 chinook. This allocation will be
split between gill nets (4200) and seines (2800).
Area D gill nets will open for 4 hours commencing 20:00 hours Monday August 24
until 00:00 hours Tuesday August 25 with a possible 4 hour extension. A second
opening is possible on Tuesday at 20:00h if the available TAC has not been
reached.
Area 23 - Alberni Inlet
Gill nets open, 20:00 hours until 22:00 hours in that portion of Subarea 23-1 bounded in the north by a line commencing at a boundary sign situated at 49°14.19 north latitude and 124°50.23 west longitude thence through the southern most point of Hoik Island thence to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River thence due east to a boundary sign on the opposite shore and in the south by a boundary line from Lone Tree Point to a boundary sign on the opposite shore of Alberni Inlet, and then, from 22:00 hours until 00:00 hours in that portion of Subarea 23-1 bounded in the north by a line commencing at a boundary sign situated at 49°14.19 north latitude and 124°50.23 west longitude thence through the southern most point of Hoik Island thence to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River thence due east to a boundary sign on the opposite shore and in the south by a boundary line from Dunsmuir Pt light to the light on the northern end of the China Creek marina breakwater.
The maximum gill net length is 183 meters. Maximum depth is 60 meshes, minimum mesh size is 171 mm, maximum hang ratio is 3:1, corkline to web distance minimum 0 cm, maximum 2.0 m. Alaska Twist and or Multi-strand web may be used. The target species is chinook, incidentally caught coho may be retained. Sockeye, pink, chum and steelhead may not be retained.
Variation Order Numbers 09SAL-23-GN-03
Time after time, run after run, this Department strongly appears to be "managing" our salmon stocks right out of existence. It becomes increasingly apparent that incompetence, zero accountability, and a definite favoring of the harvesters well politically connected rule the day. How long can the resource stand up under these pressures? And the bigger question, how long will we, as citizens concerned with the health of the resource, stand idly by wringing our hands in frustration?
If there ever was a reason for impeaching nearly an entire Federal department, methinks we have realized it now.
More and more, the intended humor in the logo for the T-shirts that are upcoming appears to be not so funny, and actually a rather befitting description of this Beast.
Political Mismanagement at it's finest.
You can sign me off: Disappointed, PO'd beyond belief, and in fact downright
ANGRY!
Nog
you have to put some time in learning.
