102 Fraser River Species at risk of extinction.

[OldBlackDog]

‘Death by 1,000 cuts’ for 102 Fraser River estuary species at risk of extinction

More than 100 animal species in the Fraser River estuary could be “functionally extinct” within the next 25 years, unless an overarching, multi-government plan is put in place to save them, a new University of British Columbia (UBC) study warns.

www.delta-optimist.com

 

[zurk]

"Key to the plan’s success is the implementation of an environmental co-governance body, made up of First Nations, federal and provincial governments, municipalities, NGOs and industry to implement the strategy."
gee i wonder what could possibly go wrong with this approach....

 

[Dave]

"Key to the plan’s success is the implementation of an environmental co-governance body, made up of First Nations, federal and provincial governments, municipalities, NGOs and industry to implement the strategy."
gee i wonder what could possibly go wrong with this approach....

How would you approach this zurk?

 

[zurk]

How would you approach this zurk?

how about starting with banning any netting on any rivers.

 

[Dave]

how about starting with banning any netting on any rivers.

Yes, that would be an excellent start and will only be done through collaboration and partnering with FN.

 

[terrin]

"Key to the plan’s success is the implementation of an environmental co-governance body, made up of First Nations, federal and provincial governments, municipalities, NGOs and industry to implement the strategy."
gee i wonder what could possibly go wrong with this approach....

What role exactly would the NGO's play? Don't really see how they are needed as thier agenda is to keep on keepin on for their own existance and livelihoods not necessarily what is the best course of action to solve the problem.

 

[agentaqua]

Ya, Terrin - many of the NGOs have an inflated position in terms of their representation on any official consultations processes (IMHO); and how did they become the official, recognized, accredited voice of anyone but themselves, really? Whom are frequently a small, select group of people. I say this recognizing that there is a spectrum of interests, funding, capacities, and collaboration between NGOs & users groups - with the PSF and T. Buck Suzuki NGOs partnering arguably the best and most frequent with fishing-related users groups and whose support many appreciate.

 

[zurk]

Yes, that would be an excellent start and will only be done through collaboration and partnering with FN.

or you could - you know - just impose a LAW and back it up with police enforcement. you dont need to partner with anyone.
governments should just govern.

 

[wildmanyeah]

or you could - you know - just impose a LAW and back it up with police enforcement. you dont need to partner with anyone.
governments should just govern.

Conservation comes first in Law. ITs already established and the Fisheries Minister used it to remove FN lobster traps on the east coast.

In practical terms tho, collaboration is the easiest long term solution for all parties involved and would likely involve alternative fishing methods and shifts to terminal areas/tributaries. The government is obligated to enter into good faith negotiations before they can really slame conservation/Law down anyone's throats.

As for adequate enforcement of negotiated fishing plans with FN's in season. That's really budgetary constraints put on C&P. Ottawa would need to approve more full time/part time positions. Then you combined that with the fact that no fishery officer these days want to work anywhere near the Fraser river and a lot of understaffed/turn over happens. Not that they are not doing anything over 300 nets were seized this season and that represents a few nets a day.

Also combined that with some freedom of information requests went out by FN's that resulted in an inquiry that said FO we're spending too much of their time on FN enforcement. As a result more enforcement time must be spent on sports and commercial interests so its not viewed as discriminatory.

Top it off poaching is a damn lucrative business with revolving door. At one point the department lawyers actually believed that FN's could not actually illegal fish. I was told recently that that opinion changed and for some repeat offenders they have been able to get condition sentences on them like not being able to be with X distance of a gillnet. Just being able to get that was a huge successes.

IT all comes down the politics though in the end and if everyone can get on the same page and collaborate together its far easier for the politicians to get on board.

 

[searun]

Success would start from whomever sitting at the table demands an open, honest assessment of the root causes of the declines and then identify what recovery action has the greatest actual benefit. Unfortunately the process is doomed from the start to follow politically driven agendas.