Call to Action – Help Save BC’s Public Fishery

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Super secret draft SFAB meeting notes love how a commercial troller get them before people that show up to SFAC meetings. That's awesome glad I show up to meetings.

This whole system is defunct

guess you have to be in the super secret club

Wow did you ever turn 180 in opinion. Got a lot to learn there my friend. I agree its so super secret. As I write this my eyes roll.
 
Wow did you ever turn 180 in opinion. Got a lot to learn there my friend. I agree its so super secret. As I write this my eyes roll.

So share them??

Edited: For the record I did not turn 180. I still think the process has merit and is good. That people should take part and grill DFO at every opportunity. Tho the way information gets around needs work.
 
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Correct in that I was basically unaware of that letter.
I hazard a guess that this was one of the two letters I referred to above, which formed the basis of the first synopsis on where the "negotiations" stood.
I am aware that a good number of subsequent letters were sent in, and that many followed my suggestion of softening our stance towards the rec sec.

I am also completely aware of the discussion within the SFAB, and what was said regarding the troll fishery directly to DFO in those meetings.
As those minutes are still in draft, I will not post what they entail... yet.

I do strongly agree that we best be getting everyone on the same page in this regard.
DFO's standard tactic of divide & conquer has worked so well for them, for so long, they know no other way.
United we would blow them right out of the water methinks.
Looking forward to that day...

Cheers,
Matt
Thanks Matt, unfortunately there must be a lot of super secret meetings going on because you know more about what was supposedly said at SFAB/DFO meetings than people who sit on the SFAB Executive...seems that Area G has secret meetings and letters that their members don't know about also. I sat in the 5 Nations forum and listened carefully to what Area G had to say about the recreational fishery...it was considerably more pointed than the letter....and left me with a bad taste, and safe to say now that trust is at an all time low. ...which is sad given the real answers for reconciliation is for all stakeholders to work collaboratively. What I see quite frankly is Area G must somehow be seen as the bad boys of the commercial troll sector, and Area F are quietly pushing you out. Luckily for you Area G guys you have a buy-out option, and $17 million still sitting there...the same can't be said for the rec sector. The way things are looking some of us sporties would be happy to have that kind of buy-out option so we can take the money and exit the fishery.

Look closely at those Shuswap Chinook ER numbers I posted for you - here it is again for easy reference:


I should also point out that Area G really should have a chat with Area F Troll, whom harvest the highest number of Shuswap Chinook, and whom also would be part of what DFO needs to consider when determining the fisheries reductions of other users such as Area G Troll, Recreational and FN's. Yes, other stakeholders also contribute to ER, but we should be looking at the outliers for larger "proportional" contributions...not Area G at only 5.6% of total ER.

Exploitation Rate on Total Run ER ............ Share of ER
Northern BC Commercial Troll 7.0% ........... 25.8%
WCVI Commercial Troll 1.5% ......... 5.6%
Juan de Fuca Recreational 2.8% ............ 10.5%
Strait of Georgia Recreational 3.0% ............ 11.3%
Johnstone Strait Recreational 1.1% ........... 4.3%
WCVI AABM Recreational 1.2% ........... 4.6%
WCVI ISBM Recreational 0.1% ............ 0.5%
Northern BC recreational 2.5% ............ 9.1%
Fraser Recreational 2.2% .............. 8.1%
Fraser Indigenous FSC 4.4% .............. 16.4%
All other 1.1% ............... 3.9%
CDN Fishing Removals 27.0% ............. 100.0%
 
[QUOTE=" The way things are looking some of us sporties would be happy to have that kind of buy-out option so we can take the money and exit the fishery.

[/QUOTE] Who is asking for a sporty buy-out option? First I've heard of it and I am not interested in a buy-out.
 
[QUOTE=" The way things are looking some of us sporties would be happy to have that kind of buy-out option so we can take the money and exit the fishery.
Who is asking for a sporty buy-out option? First I've heard of it and I am not interested in a buy-out.[/QUOTE]


Good thing you're not interested because only Area G Troll has that option....not the sporties
 
I'm an outsider in this discussion, but I would think businesses who primarily serve saltwater recreational fishing in the affected area(s) would have a leg to stand on when making a claim for buyout dollars.
 
As many of you might know, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation is hosting a meeting where some of the focus will be on closing down the South Coast Chinook Fishery. There will be a protest in support of our fishery at the event. I am including a copy of the ad so that you can see what they are going to be addressing .
Please try to come, the more people who show, the bigger the message to Ottawa will be. I am thinking we should be outside of the Sunset Labs by 6:15 Please be respectful of their opinions and don't get into public name calling as the media will seize on this and try to use it against us


Home // What's new // Events //

Panel: the future of killer whale recovery
Join us this April, in Victoria or online, for an expert panel and discussion.

Published on 2019 · 03 · 12 by Raincoast

future-of-killer-whales-02.6.jpg

Join us this April, either in person or on online, as we discuss the challenges ahead in the recovery of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.

With the Southern Resident population now at only 75 individuals, their survival is clearly threatened under current conditions. Additional noise from vessel traffic, further reductions in food availability, or random events such as disease and oil spills would significantly increase their risk of extinction. Our research has helped to outline the viability of this population, given existing threats and those on the horizon. The same research also outlines that we can put them on a path to recovery if we take necessary action.

Expert panel discussion, April 18th
7pm to 9pm Pacific
Sunset Labs, 400 Herald Street, Victoria

Book your in-person ticket

Raincoast has been working with an international team of scientists, as well as our partners at the David Suzuki Foundation, Georgia Strait Alliance, WWF Canada, and the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC), to compel governments in Canada, and the US, to support bold recovery measures. We are calling for the closure of marine commercial and recreational Chinook fisheries, an end to commercial and private whale watching on Southern Resident killer whales, and the establishment of targets for reducing noise from commercial vessels travelling in critical habitat.

Register to access the live streamed event

Through the support of Stream of Consciousness you can join us on April 18th, either in person or by streaming the event free online. Hosted by CBC’s Bob McDonald, the evening will feature a panel of experts who will be open to questions from the live audience and viewers online.

Misty MacDuffee, Wild Salmon Program Director, Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Misty has been working on salmon conservation as a biologist for more than 15 years. She has also led Raincoast’s efforts to protect the Southern Residents. As well as publishing research on both wild salmon and killer whales, Misty works with government and industry on fisheries management and sits on various committees focused on wild salmon and killer whale conservation.

Dr. Peter S. Ross, Vice-President of Research at Ocean Wise
Peter currently oversees eight research programs at Ocean Wise that deliver conservation science to the international community. He is Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria. He served as a Research Scientist with the Canadian government between 1996 and 2013. He is an international authority in the area of ocean pollution, having published over 150 scientific articles, with a focus on the source, transport, fate and effects of priority pollutants. He discovered the region’s killer whales to be the most ‘contaminated marine mammals in the world’ in a groundbreaking study in the year 2000, and more recently reported on the widespread distribution of microplastics in the NE Pacific Ocean.

Michael Jasny, Director of Marine Mammal Protection, Natural Resources Defence Council
Michael is a widely published expert on the law and policy of ocean noise pollution. For over ten years, he has directed high-profile litigation, lobbying efforts, science-based policy development, and public advocacy to improve the regulation of this emergent global problem. His work also focuses on securing protection for endangered marine mammals and their habitat, opposing development projects that threaten marine mammals off the U.S. and Canadian coastlines, and improving management of fisheries, whale-watching tourism, and other sectors that impact these vulnerable species.

The recovery of Southern Resident killer whales is something we can all contribute to. Learn about issues and be inspired this April 18th.
 
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I'm not sure where this is posted, so I am re posting it here..
Please try to come, the more people who show, the bigger the message to Ottawa will be.

ENGO Groups Take Aim To Advocate Closing Public Fishery

As many members know, there are several ENGO groups aiming to close the public fishery. They are being effective utilizing social media to apply their narrative of fishery closures as the best solution to recover Fraser Chinook and SRKW. Its time for the Public Fishery to stand up and be counted.

We remind members that on April 18, Raincoast Conservation Foundation will host a forum in Victoria - the purpose of which is to advance their agenda to close recreational, commercial and whale watching marine based activities. We are calling on members to make plans to attend the event. If you were unable to obtain tickets to attend the actual event, we still encourage members to show up and stand in solidarity and speak for the Public Fishery. We are working to have T-Shirts available for supporters to wear that carry our message to Save Our Public Fishery. Details of the event location, timing etc are below:

Home // What's new // Events //

Panel: the future of killer whale recovery
Join us this April, in Victoria or online, for an expert panel and discussion.

Published on 2019 · 03 · 12 by Raincoast
86e6a7c26ea956d664ec302ebd2858b60472e507


Join us this April, either in person or on online, as we discuss the challenges ahead in the recovery of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.

With the Southern Resident population now at only 75 individuals, their survival is clearly threatened under current conditions. Additional noise from vessel traffic, further reductions in food availability, or random events such as disease and oil spills would significantly increase their risk of extinction. Our research has helped to outline the viability of this population, given existing threats and those on the horizon. The same research also outlines that we can put them on a path to recovery if we take necessary action.

Expert panel discussion, April 18th
7pm to 9pm Pacific
Sunset Labs, 400 Herald Street, Victoria



Marine First Aid Course

If you need to renew your Marine First Aid, there will be a course in Port Alberni on April 17 & 18. If interested, contact Paul Dore at 250-720-7870 for further information


There is already a group on here planning to protest it. Bob Macdonald is CBC radio science guy, but far from an expert on SKRW or Chinook salmon. It's all smoke and mirrors. Notice that Dr Andrew Trites the UBC expert is not a speaker.
 
There is already a group on here planning to protest it. Bob Macdonald is CBC radio science guy, but far from an expert on SKRW or Chinook salmon. It's all smoke and mirrors. Notice that Dr Andrew Trites the UBC expert is not a speaker.
Thanks Cohochinook. I couldn't find that post anywhere, at least not in the places I would think to look. I also figured a couple of cross postings on busy related threads couldn't hurt either.
 
... Luckily for you Area G guys you have a buy-out option, and $17 million still sitting there...the same can't be said for the rec sector.

I'll leave your secret meeting insinuations alone, for now...

The "buyback" you refer to is a travesty, and you are likely aware of that.

The original $ 30 million US was sent to DFO from the US to compensate Area G for staying off the water through some rather troubling years (same program the US engaged in). DFO of course publicly stated they would be happy to administrate that funding. Of course once it was in hand, they decided there were other, better options where it should be spent. Despite US insistence, they carried on with their own program in this regard until legally challenged (the US has formally noted it will NEVER enter into this kind of agreement with Canada again as a direct consequence of DFO's behavior). Although the legal action was lost due to the government getting the matter in front of a sympathetic judge, it did stop them from spending it in unrelated areas.

Today, if you look at what they now offer, it represents around ten cents on the dollar value of the License worth, and zero for the boat. Think they understand the term "desperation"? Desperation they directly caused?
The so-called offer is an insult. But of course DFO simply isn't embarrassed by any such travesties. Business as usual...

I will get around to addressing a couple of your other concerns, just not today. Turning 60 (who woulda thunk) and going to try and avoid anything that makes my stomach rumble for at least one day.

I strongly agree in that trust between all in in the sewer, that this was and is an intentionally created situation by the department, and that we'd best get over it. Far past time we buried all the hatchets, and get on with unification...

Cheers,
Nog
 
Thanks Cohochinook. I couldn't find that post anywhere, at least not in the places I would think to look. I also figured a couple of cross postings on busy related threads couldn't hurt either.
Searun might be able to provide more information on the planned protest?
 
For guys in the LML, if we can organize a protest at the minister’s constituency office and get some media attention to it I think it would be more helpful than spending time on our keyboards.
I like the way that High Water had put a different pitch to their message and highlighted our ongoing support of conservation and habitat protection.
This delayed announcement by the DFO could be an opportunity for us to re-caliberate our messaging and put more pressure on them. This whole thing is a PR game at this stage.
 
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News Release
EMBARGOED TO 2:00pm, April 16/19


Government of Canada takes action to address Fraser River Chinook decline

April 16, 2019 Vancouver, BC Fisheries and Oceans Canada


Over the past 50 years, the world’s wildlife populations have declined by 60%. In Canada, 521 species have been identified as being at risk under the Species at Risk Act and the list is growing. Recent assessments by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada for Chinook salmon from the Fraser River systemhave found Chinook are also in danger of disappearing from Canada.


Chinook salmon populations have been in decline for years as a result of a number of factors including habitat destruction, harvest, and the effects of climate change. Of the thirteen wild Fraser River Chinook salmon populations assessed, only one is not at risk. The science is clear. The loss of these Chinook populations would be disastrous not just for wildlife that depend on them as a food source, but also for the many BC communities whose jobs and ways of life depend on Chinook salmon. That’s why the Government of Canada has taken, and is taking, urgent and concrete actions to ensure that at-risk Chinook salmon are protected for future generations.

However, the challenges facing at risk Fraser River Chinook salmon stocks are multi-faceted. The road to recovery requires a long-term view and the collaboration of all interested parties. To this end, DFO is announcing today that it will engage with First Nations, the Province of BC and stakeholders over the next several weeks to explore establishing a process to address a broad range of issues that are impacting Chinook stocks. These issues include:
· conservation issues, including land and water use issues,
· fish habitat issues,
· the role of hatcheries to support rebuilding and the potential for marked fisheries,
· how seals and sea lions may be affecting Chinook salmon, and
· other relevant topics.
Establishing a process to have these important discussions will play a vital role in determining how best to steward this resource going forward and what options may exist to further address the social, cultural and economic importance of these Chinook stocks.


Fisheries management measures for 2019 will support the recovery of at risk Fraser River Chinook populations and protecting the jobs and communities that depend on Chinook survival. These measures were developed following consultation with Indigenous communities, recreational and commercial fishing organizations and environmental organizations. These measures are one component of a larger strategy intended to place at risk Pacific salmon populations on a path towards sustainability.
Fisheries management measures for the 2019 fishing season will include:
· Commercial fishing: Commercial troll fisheries for Chinook will be closed until August 20 to avoid impacting Fraser Chinook stocks and to support conservation priorities.
· Recreational fishing: The 2019 management measures for recreational fisheries where at risk Chinook stocks may be encountered are designed to maximize returns of these at risk Chinook to their spawning grounds. Opportunities to harvest Chinook will be provided later in the season to support the long-term viability of the recreational industry. The 2019 measures include:

· Non-retention of Chinook in Southern BC (including West Coast Vancouver Island offshore, Johnstone Strait and Northern Strait of Georgia) until July 14; a daily limit of one (1) Chinook per person per day after July 15 until December 31.

· Non-retention of Chinook in the Strait Juan de Fuca and Southern Strait of Georgia until July 31; retention of one (1) Chinook per person per day as of August 1until December 31.
· West Coast Vancouver Island offshore areas will have non-retention of Chinook until July 14 followed by a limit of two (2) Chinook per day from July 15 to December 31. West Coast Vancouver Island inshore waters will remain at two (2) Chinook per day for the season once at-risk Chinook stocks have passed through, to support the long term viability of the salmon and of the recreational fishery.

· Fraser River recreational fisheries will remain closed to salmon fishing until at least August 23, and opportunities will be informed by any other conservation issues (coho, steelhead, etc).
· Retention of two (2) Chinook per day continues to be permitted in Northern BC and inshore areas of the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Other opportunities may be identified and announced in season where abundance permits.
· An overall reduction in the total annual limit for Chinook that can be retained per person in a season from 30 fish to 10. Recreational fisheries for other species will continue. Please see the Department’s web-site for local regulations.
· First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries: these fisheries, which have a constitutionally protected priority, will not commence until July 15 – concurrent with the opening of the recreational retention fishery.
These new measures are difficult, but they are necessary to address Fraser River Chinook decline. A continued decline would irrevocably harm species that depend on the survival of Chinook salmon, such as the Southern Resident killer whale. In addition, it would permanently affect the culture, heritage and livelihoods of Indigenous communities and permanently eliminate many jobs in the recreational and commercial fishing industries.
These measures are part of a comprehensive approach to restoring the health of wild salmon stocks. Other key elements of this comprehensive approach include:
· Habitat protection – the proposed Fisheries Act, - if passed would restore lost protections to our waterways and specifically to fish habitat.
· Habitat restoration – we, in collaboration with the Government of BC, recently announced the establishment of the $142M British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund. As well, the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk, provides $55 million fund over five years to support projects that help recover aquatic species at risk; the Fraser Watershed is one area identified for priority action.
· Science – the Government of Canada is making significant investments in science to enhance fish stock assessments and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. This includes an additional $107 million to support the implementation of the Fish Stocks provisions of the proposed Fisheries Act. These resources, committed in the Fall Economic Statement,will increase scientific capacity for stock assessment of Canada’s fish stocks, including Pacific salmon stock assessments.
· Predation – DFO, in partnership with research partners in Canada and the U.S., is convening a forum to discuss and assess scientific evidence relating to population dynamics of seals and sea lions, their diet and their impacts.

The Government of Canada is taking significant action to ensure that our Chinook salmon survive for future generations. The measures announced today highlight the government’s commitment to working collaboratively to ensure the sustainability of Chinook stocks as a means by which to ensure the health of our ecosystems and the long term prosperity of Indigenous and coastal communities.

Quotes

“The science is clear: Pacific Chinook salmon are in a critical state. Without immediate action, this species could be lost forever. As the Minister responsible for the health and sustainability of our oceans, I want to ensure that we do not knowingly put these stocks on a path to extinction. The measures I am announcing today, as part of a comprehensive plan to protect wild Pacific salmon, are significant, necessary and difficult. They are critical to the future of Chinook stocks and to the futures of Indigenous and coastal communities who rely on them for sustenance, jobs and economic prosperity.”


The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard


Quick Facts
· In November 2018, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed 16 southern BC Chinook salmon stocks, 13 of those originating in the Fraser River. Seven of the Fraser Chinook populations were assessed as endangered, four as threatened and one as a population of special concern. Only one stock was deemed not at risk. Insufficient data was available to assess the two remaining stocks.

· In 2018, a WWF Living Planet Report showed that around the world, wildlife populations have declined 60% over the past 50 years. The 2017 report by the same group indicated that half of all species in Canada were in decline. In Canada there are 521 plant and animal species at risk that are listed under SARA.

Related products
· Backgrounder: Action to protect Fraser River Chinook salmon


For more information:

Jocelyn Lubczuk Media Relations

Press Secretary Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans 613-990-7537

and the Canadian Coast Guard Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

343-548-7863

Jocelyn.lubczuk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 
Does this mean non-retention or no fishing for chinook?

Non-retention of Chinook in the Strait Juan de Fuca and Southern Strait of Georgia until July 31; retention of one (1) Chinook per person per day as of August 1until December 31.
 
That's pretty bad. I wonder if there will be knock-on effects on other species due to higher than normal pressure on them. People are still going to fish.
 
That's pretty bad. I wonder if there will be knock-on effects on other species due to higher than normal pressure on them. People are still going to fish.

Down here in southern Oregon out bottom fish and ling were absolutely wiped out during the 2 year closure we had. Sad part is those are long living fish and will take a couple generations to recover.
 
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