Cowichan
- Thread starter hemi57
- Start date
If I recall, back in the 80's, one CO mentioned that a shocking 80% of SH were caught by Indian nets on the Cowichan, and the Kokisilah was worse. That's when the runs were healthy. CO's or DFO could do little about it then or now. Where are the FN's own special police force? Why aren't the good FN peoples all over this. It makes them all look bad.
I had very similar opinions to those expressed here before spending considerable time working with First Nations in fishery management. As sport fisherman and someone who fishes the Cowichan I am obviously disappointed to think of a weak 2014 Steelhead run being impacted by a net harvest. However, I think it is important to keep the ethics of the situation in mind. Runs of all species to the Cowichan used to be healthy and were harvested in river by First Nations. Europeans came along and imposed the idea that harvest in-river was wrong and that salmon should be harvested in the ocean. Now, due to 100 years of that approach, plus water extraction, agriculture, development, logging, etc.. there are often not enough fish in the river for the Cowichan Nation to extract a harvest (of some species anyway) and for it to be sustainable. But sometimes they still do it, if you put yourself in their shoes, can you blame them?
History is full of people with strong opinions willing to call other people names. To a lot of First Nations people sport fishermen are an ethical aberration, taking animals that represent survival(food) and spirituality and turning them into objects for recreation. If you think about it you can see their point. In many ways recreational fishermen and First Nations have a lot of common interests, both want clean rivers, healthy oceans, and enough fish left in the sea to allow more than the bare minimum to return to the river. Where the two groups can collaborate great things can happen. The trick is to put yourself in the other guy's shoes for a bit, however uncomfortable that may be, and see how it feels. Maybe start by pretending to be a young Cowichan guy reading this thread from the beginning and see how you feel about cooperating with recreational fishermen by the time you get to the end.
History is full of people with strong opinions willing to call other people names. To a lot of First Nations people sport fishermen are an ethical aberration, taking animals that represent survival(food) and spirituality and turning them into objects for recreation. If you think about it you can see their point. In many ways recreational fishermen and First Nations have a lot of common interests, both want clean rivers, healthy oceans, and enough fish left in the sea to allow more than the bare minimum to return to the river. Where the two groups can collaborate great things can happen. The trick is to put yourself in the other guy's shoes for a bit, however uncomfortable that may be, and see how it feels. Maybe start by pretending to be a young Cowichan guy reading this thread from the beginning and see how you feel about cooperating with recreational fishermen by the time you get to the end.
NautiGirl
Well-Known Member
my point is that just because something was done in the past and was socially accepted, it doesn't mean it should be practiced now. conditions change and people need to change with the times to ensure the survival of themselves and their environment. We are not in the same world as when the treaties and the Indian Act were signed. The Cowichan Tribes along with the province and the feds should be taking some of their tax dollars and putting some towards fisheries enhancement using local labour to fix that river before anyone ever considers using a net again there.
I don't think these few individuals represent the majority of FN's, nor is anyone in this thread suggesting this. What I do think should happen is that the people within their own community go down there and sort this out. In this situation of depleted stocks a gill net (kill) fishery is ridiculous. This isn't a necessary subsistance food gathering.
A century ago natives had weirs and traps in the rivers which allowed a selective fishery. At least they knew 100% which river the fish are going, unlike some offshore commercial fishing. I'm all for that if conservation is given. No doubt back then you could walk on the salmon coming up the Cowichan. Times change. We must all move forward instead of squabbling about who owes who.
A century ago natives had weirs and traps in the rivers which allowed a selective fishery. At least they knew 100% which river the fish are going, unlike some offshore commercial fishing. I'm all for that if conservation is given. No doubt back then you could walk on the salmon coming up the Cowichan. Times change. We must all move forward instead of squabbling about who owes who.
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
2 wrongs don't make a right - horrible argument to justify this.
I can understand how this might appear to be a "horrible argument" to some, but I am not suggesting that two wrongs make a right. I am suggesting that the world views of recreational fisherman and First Nations are often very very far apart, and that both groups would benefit from trying to put themselves in each others' shoes. It is much easier to stick to your strongly held opinions than it is to step back and question them from time to time.
To put it in perspective, it is my understanding that for many First Nations the whole concept of catch and release fishing is an unforgivable wrong. They may be far more disgusted by recreational fishermen playing with a fish and risking its survival than in seeing it killed and eaten, even if there is a conservation concern for the population. Some of the things that people have written on this thread are highly offensive and divisive. I have been very disappointed to often find that First Nations people are much less sympathetic to recreational fishermen than they are to commercial fishermen and other groups. Reading this and other similar threads I am seeing where that lack of sympathy comes from. Imagine how you would feel if it was you
You can accomplish a hell of a lot more when you focus on what you have in common.
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
Even if a native thinks its unethical for me to catch and release, it does not give him the moral license to use a net in low water on a river with a dwindling stocks. What exactly is the argument you're making ?
Now may I ask Mr. bugs, do you think its a good thing or a bad thing for them to have a net out on the cowichan under the current conditions?
Now may I ask Mr. bugs, do you think its a good thing or a bad thing for them to have a net out on the cowichan under the current conditions?
As a Steelhead fisherman and conservationist I think it is a bad thing. However, as someone who has spent a long time reflecting on this subject I no longer feel that I have the moral right to pass judgment. And most importantly, as a realist who sees which way the wind is blowing I feel very strongly that this issue should be approached with understanding and tact rather than offensive statements if we expect to have any fish left to chase.
Tightlines1976
Member
Really? Wooooowwww....
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
Just curious, but why not? Why are you not allowed an opinion on what Natives do?
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
I agree.... This is so frustrating.
Any issue that comes up regarding FN is always sooooo painful. There needs to be clear cut rules! No more interpretations based on rights and how things used to be. It's the year 2014 not 1900. Very frustrating stuff.... You can't say a thing without being accused of misunderstanding certain beliefs and offending people.
Maybe all Canadians should just be equal?
just so crazy it might work, imagine everybody equal.
Dennis.t
Active Member
Give your head a shake man.
Please be advised...it was a team approach that saw the nets removed...including the Cowichan Tribes Guardians...DFO can not initiate or act on steelhead issues...only if they are asked for help from Provincial Fisheries Officers can they be part of the process. There was some leadership shown, a team was quickly assembled, and the nets were removed.
Derby
Crew Member
Is this a pre-typed response to any thread in regard to FN extracurricular "fishing"? This particular thread has actually been pretty civil. Heck, no ones pulled out the residential schools card yet. Glad that things on the river seem to be taken care off through the right jurisdictions and with co-operation.
FYI. I have exchanged greetings with a few FN sports fishermen that appear to value the recreation side of steelhead fishing and certainly don't think it's a crime to let them go.
Lipripper
Active Member
Thank You for the up-date..much appreciated...
For sure... that is the way it goes.
What irks me is....
Steelhead are the hot potato..... DFO has the mandate for anadromous fish, fresh or salt. DFO says its a trout and try to pass the buck to the province to take care of them.
Then the province passes back..
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