Sushihunter
Active Member
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20090826209831/local/news/mla-fishing-for-a-summit-on-salmon.html
MLA fishing for a summit on salmon
Written by George T. Baker
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
North Coast MLA Gary Coons agrees that a B.C. Salmon Summit is needed to discuss dwindling salmon stocks.
The ever-acerbic MLA did not hold back on criticizing the provincial government for what he believes to be inaction at a time when something needs to be done.
“So far the only thing the B.C. Liberals have said on the salmon disaster is ‘it’s a federal issue.’ Can you imagine a Maritime premier responding with such disinterest to the collapse of Eastern fish stocks two decades ago?
“Let’s not forget Gordon Campbell once said his fourth ‘great goal’ was to lead the world in ‘the best fisheries management, bar none.’ Now he has nothing to say,” said Coons.
“If the B.C. Liberals plan on taking the same approach to the collapse of our salmon fishery that they have shown forest resource communities, then British Columbians will pay the price through more job losses and possibly even a permanent loss of vital salmon runs in B.C.”
Earlier this week, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans confirmed there are between nine and 11 million fewer sockeye returning to the Fraser River than predicted.
The causes for the disappearance of the salmon have not yet been determined, but scientists are considering a number of possibilities, including poor adaptation caused by climate change and rising water temperatures, and the proliferation of open-net Atlantic salmon farms on the coast.
Gillnet fishermen along the North Coast were not allowed to participate in any fisheries at all this year and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs is calling for a complete closing of the Fraser River sport fishing industry.
Coons noted that, while the province has been silent on the near total collapse of the Fraser River sockeye run, B.C., it is First Nations leaders that have called on provincial and federal governments to stage a salmon summit.
Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250
MLA fishing for a summit on salmon
Written by George T. Baker
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
North Coast MLA Gary Coons agrees that a B.C. Salmon Summit is needed to discuss dwindling salmon stocks.
The ever-acerbic MLA did not hold back on criticizing the provincial government for what he believes to be inaction at a time when something needs to be done.
“So far the only thing the B.C. Liberals have said on the salmon disaster is ‘it’s a federal issue.’ Can you imagine a Maritime premier responding with such disinterest to the collapse of Eastern fish stocks two decades ago?
“Let’s not forget Gordon Campbell once said his fourth ‘great goal’ was to lead the world in ‘the best fisheries management, bar none.’ Now he has nothing to say,” said Coons.
“If the B.C. Liberals plan on taking the same approach to the collapse of our salmon fishery that they have shown forest resource communities, then British Columbians will pay the price through more job losses and possibly even a permanent loss of vital salmon runs in B.C.”
Earlier this week, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans confirmed there are between nine and 11 million fewer sockeye returning to the Fraser River than predicted.
The causes for the disappearance of the salmon have not yet been determined, but scientists are considering a number of possibilities, including poor adaptation caused by climate change and rising water temperatures, and the proliferation of open-net Atlantic salmon farms on the coast.
Gillnet fishermen along the North Coast were not allowed to participate in any fisheries at all this year and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs is calling for a complete closing of the Fraser River sport fishing industry.
Coons noted that, while the province has been silent on the near total collapse of the Fraser River sockeye run, B.C., it is First Nations leaders that have called on provincial and federal governments to stage a salmon summit.
Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250
