Dr. Morton: Thanks very much for taking the time to share your experiences and insights on this forum. As Chris mentioned, an in-person conversation would be a great way to start. I'm personally wondering if, in your opinion, there is a viable possibility for several thousand conservation-focused sport-fishers to initiate a class action naming DFO?
DFO Mission and their mandate:
Through sound science, forward-looking policy, and operational and service excellence, DFO employees work collaboratively toward the following strategic outcomes of:
•Economically Prosperous Maritime Sectors and Fisheries;
•Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
•Study, conservation and protection aquatic ecosystems.
•Conducting (open, public and peer-reviewed) scientific research and related activities, which are vital to the understanding and sustainable management of Canada’s oceans and aquatic resources.
•Collaboration to manage the commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries.
•Creating the conditions to support a vibrant and sustainable aquaculture industry.
•Development and promotion of the wise use of technology to ensure the long-term health of Canada’s waters.
Our basis of claim: That DFO has seriously damaged the recreational fishery through action and negligence. That DFO has neglected adequate study, conservation and protection of the wild fishery. That DFO has supported and participated in the destruction of a valuable, viable and sustainable fishery. That DFO has repudiated their mandate to create (and sustain) the conditions necessary to support a vibrant industry.[I know the right people for you to speak about this with. It is not easy however. You have to prove loss and you have to prove it came from the salmon farms. A good start would be to sample chinook in areas important to you where there are salmon farms, like Clayoquot. Possible Discovery Islands, though so many fish pass through there I don't know how possible it would be to figure out. still trying to figure out the quotes here - so apologizing in advance if this post ends up in some random place.