Lots of ground you have covered here Seafever and quite a challenge to cover it all but here goes*:- (NOTE: this is my understanding of what is happening but I do not speak for SVIAC as I am not on the Board.)
I see what you mean, Roland.......
but...
Either a coalition would cover entire B.C....or..it would be composed of many smaller groups united under one banner.
If it's the second...that's when the fun will start. One faction opposed to the agendas of another.
Exactly how to organise and manage a BC wide anglers coalition is probably the biggest challenge anyone has in attempting such a thing. The BC recreational anglers community is notoriously fractured as the posts on this Forum attest!!.. My understanding is SVIAC recognises exactly the sort of scenarios you describe and understands that any initiative heading in the direction of unification can only proceed incrementally. A BC wide coalition will have to evolve bit by bit, with other chapters or units getting going over time. Just how the whole thing would organised and run constitutionally is anybody’s guess right now but Rome was not built in a day and an anglers coalition has to start somewhere and it started with SVIAC.
Why do people start these groups?.....because they are dis-satisfied with choices by DFO basically, plus a smattering of opposition to power projects, stream disruption, closures, environmental corporate decisions etc etc.
My understanding is the SVIAC founders believed the only way forward was to harness the collective power and wisdom of the recreational angling community and form a powerful lobby group that would pro-actively advocate and educate for policies on behalf of the recreational fishing industry that put wild fish first.
Take south island (Sooke ) for example.....and I mean no disrespect here........but it was just a few short weeks ago when, during the slot restrictions there, the finger was immediately pointed at mid ECVI with much gusto insofar as Sooksters felt that it wasn't fair that we were allowed to catch big fish and that we should be punished with the same restrictions.
Fast forward to now.......every Sooke report is a gushing testimonial to how good the fishing is and how blessed everyone is with such an abundant resource etc etc......
If a coalition is made up of smaller groups , you are going to get this type of grade-school bickering ad nauseum.
Bit of a digression this one but it is very illustrative of the fractures in the recreational community that exists and the challenges going forward. My understanding is SVIAC aspires to be one the unifying umbrella for these apparently competing interests, but achieving that goal is some way down the road yet. (And at least one name change away!!)
Was SVIAC formed because they were unhappy with SFAB?
Did you feel that SFAB wasn't meeting your needs?
SFAB is an advisory body that does not carry any real weight with DFO and is often asked to comment on decisions after the fact. It is not a lobby group nor is it structured to be pro-active.
SVIAC was created and organised to meet different emerging needs. In particular the need for pro-active lobbying in high places.
Do you feel that SVIAC should be the "governing body"?
Not sure where you are heading with this one. SVIAC understands there are several different groups already doing excellent work and recognises that strong alliances will be very beneficial to the whole recreational angling community.
By it's own vision statement SVIAC is concerned only with south V.I.......why would they be addressing anyone else's issues?
The material you are reading is the starting point. But that vision when translated to actions and efforts will still be addressing issues of concern to the whole recreational angling community. One example is the halibut allocation situation and the experimental quota “purchasing” program. Another are the Fraser stream and tributary stocks, the health of which affect a great deal more than just Southern VI.
As FA mentioned....there are not too many "revolting" fishermen on the mainland it seems.....moreso Van Isle is the hotbed of unrest.......
Well my personal hope is we can eventually arouse a lot more “revolting” anglers on the LM. For only together can we hope to lobby and influence the ultimate powers that be and senior decision makers to pursue policies which support and protect the wild fish populations and the entire recreational angling industry which depends on those stocks.
