SFI Update:
CHINOOK RESTRICTIONS IMPACT SURVEY
As all are aware, on April 16 the DFO announced new management measures—non-retention fishing restrictions to address conservation concerns for particular runs of Fraser River Chinook. The broad application of those measures and an unwillingness to consider options that would allow opportunity for the public fishery while not impacting the stocks of concern is causing unnecessary and significant damage to BC's reputation and, more importantly and critically, to the economies of small coastal communities and small businesses around the bottom end of Vancouver Island and the entire length of Juan de Fuca and Georgia Straits in particular.
Appreciating the serious impacts and to better characterize, understand and convey what the restrictions mean to British Columbians, the BC Chamber of Commerce is reaching out to all sectors who are affected by this decision with a quick six question survey.If your business is impacted by the restrictions placed on Chinook salmon, please take a few moments to complete the
BC Chamber of Commerce - Chinook Restrictions Impact Survey.
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE - SRKW FEEDBACK NEEDED BY MAY 3rd
As many will recall, measures to help protect SRKW were to be announced by Ministers Wilkinson and McKenna on time with the approximate return of the whales to our waters. This means that a first round of measures are in the process of development and will soon be implemented. Over the past few months, DFO and Transport Canada led a number of Technical Working Groups. The SFI and SFAB representatives were invited to participate. And, as some will have noted or perhaps even attended, there were three public consultation sessions, in Victoria, Sooke and in Richmond. There is also an opportunity now and until
May 3rd to provide feedback on two proposals that have been developed as a result of the TWG sessions and public consultation.
The government has consolidated feedback from the Technical Working groups and from scientific publications and produced a
consultation paper that outlines two approaches. Your feedback and response to these proposals is needed. Express your support for Option A as it proposes much less impact on recreational fishing and boating activities than Option B.
The consultation process closes this Friday, May 3rd and the measures will be implemented shortly after that. The
consultation paper is here and provide comments in support of Option A to
DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
For more information and details about SRKW please visit both
SRKW.org or the
SFI SRKW page.