Thought I’d try the friendly approach before it’s too late. Hope others send there thoughts as well:
Dear Honourable Minister Wilkinson,
I am extremely exited that the west coast has a fisheries minister from our own backyard. I am 30 years old, a professionally engineer, avid recreational fisherman, and believe I represent the demographic that won the liberals a majority government in B.C.
Recent fisheries management actions have reduced opportunities to go salmon fishing on the west coast and have had a negative economic impact to small business. Many of these actions seem to have been politically motivated, specifically in regard to Southern Resident Killer Whales. Finfish closures and Chinook salmon closures failed to address factors harming SRKWs and associated Chinook salmon abundance. Significant investments in salmon enhancement, hatcheries and habitat are required to increase prey availability for SRKWs, not further recreational fishing closures.
In addition, pollution from in adequate effluent treatment is severely impacting the reproductive health of the orcas. Over the long life killer whales bio-accumulate toxins in there muscle tissues and will not be healthy enough to re-populate unless underlying issues are addressed.
When I’m not fishing fishing I spend most of my time volunteering at salmon hatcheries, conducting stream walks and working on habitat restoration projects. Sport fishing provides unrivalled opportunity to educate people of all ages on the importance of salmon on the west coast. Sport fishing can be part of the solution, not the problem.
While I am not in support of the pipeline, a significant investment in salmon hatcheries would buy my vote and that of my friends and family. I encourage you to preserve Chinook salmon fishing opportunities and invest in habitat and salmon enhancement.
I wish you the best of luck with an challenging and rewarding portfolio and look forward to real change.
