SFAC Victoria & Area Mar. 16/20 Mtg Minutes & Motions Part 2 of 2

Whole in the Water

Well-Known Member
Part 2 of 2

Motions
VICTORIA SFAB COMMITTEE MOTION 1 – 16MARCH2020
DFO IFMP PLANNING TIMETABLE

Whereas the SFAB has a meeting schedule that is now out-of-sync with the DFO salmon
IFMP planning process and is resulting in lost fishing opportunities for Canadians;
And whereas DFO does not have certain scientific data, stock assessment information
and run reconstruction results to help plan for the IFMP until as late as mid-March of
the year that the IFMP will come into effect;
And whereas there are important Public Salmon Fisheries in parts of Southern BC that
have restrictions commencing March 1st and/or April 1st of each year, where fishing

opportunities that have no impact on any stocks of concern, are overlooked due to the
out-of-sync DFO planning process for that year;

And whereas DFO is required to take into consideration the socio-economic aspects of fisheries when planning fisheries management

And whereas DFO under a Minister’s variation order can change fishing regulations
under exceptional circumstances at any time should the need arise;

Therefore, be it resolved that DFO institute a system where the salmon IFMP is a two year
plan allowing public fisheries in the period between January 1 and May 30th, thus
avoiding loss of fishing opportunity for Canadians every year.
Moved: Chris Bos Seconded: Tom Davis Passed: Unanimous

VICTORIA SFAB COMMITTEE MOTION 2 – 16MARCH2020
PUBLIC ACCESS TO CHINOOK FISHING IN SAANICH INLET

Whereas DFO annually implements fisheries management specifically for the avoidance
of certain Fraser Chinook stocks of concern in Southern British Columbia;

And whereas historic DFO CWT and DNA data indicate zero presence of these Fraser
Chinook stocks of concern in FMA 19-7 through 19-11 (Saanich Inlet);

And whereas there is no science-based reason to restrict angling opportunities to
Chinook non retention;

And whereas DFO is required to take into consideration the socio-economic aspects of
fisheries when planning fisheries management;

And whereas the DFO Salmon Head Recovery Program gathers valuable stock
information from hatchery marked Chinook heads that are returned by anglers who can
keep a hatchery-marked fish;

Therefore, be it resolved that DFO opens the Saanich Inlet for the public to retain one
hatchery marked Chinook per day and have a total possession of two, while fishing for
salmon during the period April 1st to July 31st each year.
Moved: Chris Bos Seconded: Tom Davis Passed: Unanimous

VICTORIA SFAB COMMITTEE MOTION 3 – 16MARCH2020
PUBLIC ACCESS TO ABUNDANT HATCHERY CHINOOK IN THE SPRING

Whereas DFO annually implements fisheries management specifically for the avoidance
of certain Fraser Chinook stocks of concern in Southern British Columbia;

And whereas there is no CWT or DNA evidence showing the presence of Spring or
Summer Fraser 5-2 Chinook prior to June 1st in the Public Salmon Fishery in FMAs 19-1
to 19-4 and 20-5 (Victoria and Juan de Fuca South areas);

And whereas there is insignificant risk to wild Nicola 4-2 Chinook through their very low
presence throughout April and May, especially as they would ALL be released by anglers if encountered

And whereas there is an abundance of hatchery-marked Chinook salmon greater than or
equal to 70% of all Chinook present during March, April and May.

And whereas the Victoria SFAB Committee believe there is no science-based reason to
restrict angling opportunities of hatchery-marked Chinook to non retention during
March, April or May each year;

And whereas DFO is required to take into consideration the socio-economic aspects of
fisheries when planning fisheries management;

Therefore, be it resolved that DFO open FMAs 19-1 to 19-4 and 20-5 (Victoria and Juan
de Fuca South areas) to the retention of one hatchery-marked Chinook only per day,
with a total possession limit of two, from April 1st to May 30th this year (2020).
Moved: Chris Bos Seconded: Tom Davis Passed: Unanimous

VICTORIA SFAB COMMITTEE MOTION 4 – 16MARCH2020
JUAN DE FUCA SRKW CLOSED AREA CHINOOK RETENTION CORRIDOR

Whereas the fisheries in Southern BC, especially those for Chinook salmon, have been
altered to support recovery of endangered SRKW;

And whereas recent scientific data has emerged that indicates SRKW forage for large
Chinook on the deep canyon wall offshore in the Juan de Fuca Strait SRKW closed area
not close to shore;

And whereas DFO is required to take into consideration the socio-economic aspects of
fisheries when planning fisheries management;

Therefore be it resolved that DFO and Transport Canada implement an open to salmon
fishing corridor consistent with local salmon regulations within the existing Juan de Fuca
SRKW closed area during that time while it is in effect; And be it further resolved that
this open corridor be the waters from the shoreline to one mile offshore between
Sheringham Point (Town of Shirley, near Sooke) and East Point (Port Renfrew).
Moved: Ryan Chamberland Seconded: Chris Bos Passed: Unanimous
 
Good question, not sure how anyone could definitively or accurately answer it without just providing their opinion on it. If one is wondering if the current Liberal govt. with their emphasis on reconciliation will prioritize certain sectors over others, we can all come to our own reasonable conclusion on that. However, the SFAB still has a very important role to play to represent the public fishery. we can still hold politicians to account by their responses, or lack thereof to any SFAB recommendations.
 
Good question, not sure how anyone could definitively or accurately answer it without just providing their opinion on it. If one is wondering if the current Liberal govt. with their emphasis on reconciliation will prioritize certain sectors over others, we can all come to our own reasonable conclusion on that. However, the SFAB still has a very important role to play to represent the public fishery. we can still hold politicians to account by their responses, or lack thereof to any SFAB recommendations.
Absoluteley! I also believe the SFAB process is our best representation
 
SFAB cant lobby, it has limitations. SFAB is a procedural advisory body that DFO uses to get information out and to get the opinion of rec anglers.

Without Groups like SFI we would have nothing, There the ones in Ottawa lobbying for change.
 
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