Skeena Nations prohibit all recreational and sport fisheries this season due to salmon crisis

[wildmanyeah]

https://globenewswire.com/news-rele...sheries-this-season-due-to-salmon-crisis.html


PRINCE RUPERT, B.C., June 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eight First Nations along the Skeena River watershed stand together to close the freshwater and marine recreational fisheries, and oppose recent actions by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Province of British Columbia, in response to an emerging salmon crisis that threatens Skeena watershed salmon stocks.

The Skeena River is one of the largest freshwater systems in the Pacific Region of the north coast of British Columbia. The Skeena Watershed First Nations [Skeena Nations] are signatories to the Skeena Nations Fish Forum Protocol, and have territories, traditional fishing sites and rights along the Skeena River. The Skeena Nations accept the work and recommendations of the Skeena First Nations Technical Committee [SFNTC] which developed fishing plan recommendations for the recreational and commercial fisheries intended to protect Skeena Chinook. The SFNTC requested that DFO close all freshwater and marine recreational fisheries impacting Skeena Chinook, with no catch and release option. DFO did not follow this recommendation, and the result is a management regime that will exacerbate the crisis on the Skeena and allow for overfishing.

“We oppose the actions of DFO allowing the recreational fishery to harvest Chinook in this salmon crisis, and BC issuing guide outfitter permits and individual licenses to allow the recreational steelhead catch and release fishery to remain open,” stated Bruce Watkinson, Co-Chair of the Skeena Nations Fish Secretariat. “If Canada and BC are serious about their commitments to Indigenous Peoples, then the Skeena watershed and marine waters should be closed to all recreational salmon fishing for the 2018 season.”

DFO’s actions appease the recreational fishery but fail to live up to its obligations to protect the Skeena fishery and the interests of First Nations. “The Skeena Nations support conservation, however our Constitutional Aboriginal rights must be recognized and respected – to ensure this, we will engage in a collaborative process and dialogue with DFO and BC.”

About the Skeena Nations
In November 2015, eight First Nations signed the Skeena Nations Fish Forum Protocol, establishing the Skeena Watershed First Nations [Skeena Nations] and the Skeena Nations Fish Secretariat. Collectively they coordinate their respective governance on the Skeena River watershed. The First Nations’ signatories comprise of leadership from Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Lake Babine, Metlakatla, and the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs.

Media Contact
Bruce Watkinson, Co-Chair
Skeena Nations Fish Secretariat
Work: 250.624.3339
Cell: 250.600.6106
watkinson@gitxaalanation.com

 

[wildmanyeah]

Skeena First Nations push for full closure of recreational fishery

https://www.thenorthernview.com/new...ush-for-full-closure-of-recreational-fishery/

A group of eight First Nations are pushing for a full closure of all recreational fisheries in the Skeena River Watershed, both freshwater and marine.

The group, part of the Skeena Nations Fisheries Fish Forum Protocol, said they oppose the recent actions by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the B.C government to allow some recreational fishing.

DFO temporarily closed recreational fishing May 8, and then on May 30 announced that there would be a 25-30 per cent reduction in exploitation rates for chinook this year due to conservation concerns. Recreational anglers are allowed to catch one chinook per day in marine waters near Prince Rupert, and Kitimat to Haida Gwaii.

READ MORE: Sweeping salmon closures for recreational fishing

READ MORE: DFO implements chinook restrictions

But the Skeena Nations Fish Forum released a press release today saying that’s not enough.

The Skeena First Nations Technical Committee requested that DFO close all freshwater and marine fisheries impacting Skeena Chinook, with no catch and release option, but DFO did not follow that recommendation, it says in the press release.

“We oppose the actions of DFO allowing the recreational fishery to harvest Chinook in this salmon crisis, and BC issuing guide outfitter permits and individual licenses to allow the recreational steelhead catch and release fishery to remain open,” said Bruce Watkinson, co-chair of the Skeena Nations Fish Secretariat.

“If Canada and B.C. are serious about their commitments to Indigenous peoples, then the Skeena watershed and marine waters should be closed to all recreational salmon fishing for the 2018 season.”

The release goes on to state that the DFO actions appease the recreational fishery but do not live up to its obligation to protect the Skeena fishery and the interests of First Nations.

“The Skeena Nations support conservation, however our Constitutional Aboriginal rights must be recognized and respected – to ensure this, we will engage in a collaborative process and dialogue with DFO and B.C.,” it said.

READ MORE: Salmon closures a devastating blow to businesses

First Nations’ signatories include leaders from Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Lake Babine, Metlakatla, and the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs.

 

[wildmanyeah]

 

[Floater]

Don’t get me wrong, I despise people who utilize “racism” to further their own agenda.

What I tend to do though, when asking myself “is this racist?”, is to swap whatever groups around and see if it feels right saying it.

Put a group identifying themselves as White (or Asian for that matter) as the author of this demand against First Nations and see how well that sits in your stomach.

Hasn’t the culture war of the last few decades been about “equal rights”? These agitators need to go away.

 

[Whitebuck]

Ha.....as there is nets out everyday from the hogline all the way up to new hazelton....