From what I hear the WW have put at least as much $ into this Sooke Chinook project. I believe without their support it would not have gotten off the drawing board. Profisher may be able to confirm this. From that angle, they would have the right to get big credit for this project. So please spare us your unjustified frustration, searun.
But if you read their social media posts, they are taking full credit for the program as a strategy to make themselves appear to be the great conservationists, pushing the rec community aside. Last time I checked it was rec anglers who are doing all the work, fundraising etc. When the WW buy their way into claiming the project as their idea, and we are
just "administrators" that is extremely disingenuous.
When I saw their posts, I went onto their websites to see what else they were saying about us. They are saying that physical and acoustic disturbances are an issue to find ways to push aside not embrace. They write things like "shift the conversation back where it belongs - improving salmon stocks and habitat." Sounds good on the surface, but if you read further they want to promote
ignoring one of the most significant scientifically agreed upon threat pillars - physical and acoustic disturbance.
I started looking more closely at many of the people who are involved with the Green ENGO groups - the one's suing the government to stop rec fishing - funny how many are employees or former employees of WW companies. Hmmm. The more I dig, the more connections I'm seeing between those who would seek to do the rec community harm. I'm suggesting you take a look and dig yourself.
I sure would like to be wrong on all this, but where there is smoke there is often fire. Time will tell.
We are advancing the 400m bubble zone as a strategy that helps address physical and acoustic disturbance. The bubble would
apply to all vessels under 60 gross tonnes, would require them to leave slowly under 7 knots when whales are inside that range, and require (if safe) the operator turn off sounders.
I would call my concerns "unjustified" if there was proof like the WW coming on side with this strategy - it would allow us to work as a united front to speak with DFO to
implement the bubble in place of Area Closures. The only exception to that being, in areas where we have strong science indicating a specific location is highly utilized for foraging etc., that we implement Special Management Zones (refuge areas) where no vessels are allowed - especially when whales are present.
So time will tell if the WW do indeed come on side to truly support the rec community - proof will be in their actions not words or money being used to distract us.