Aboriginal Fisheries FR opening this past weekend
- Thread starter Peahead
- Start date
fish4all
Well-Known Member
The attached was sent to the Province paper following a couple of articles regarding Fraser Sockeye by columnist Brian Lewis. (I have made a couple of small additions so I have resent to the Province). This isn’t a shot at the local Natives. Given the ability to intimidate, harass and exploit the Federal and Provincial Governments, I won’t speculate on who amongst us wouldn't make the most of the situation. From start to finish the bad guys in this crisis are DFO and the people you all vote for.
The fact that we have a biased media is no surprise to anyone. Clearly this bias affects public opinion and makes it easier for DFO to cover-up and abandon their obligation to protect the fish. Again, not a surprise to anyone. What we can’t forget is how the whole corrupt process affects the fish. This is one of the ingredients in the process that has seen a tragic depletion of the fish runs. When we all stand by and watch it happen we are another ingredient.
If you think we get a fair shake from the press, do nothing. If you agree or disagree with our position please tell the Province at:: wmoriarty@png.canwest.com
________________________________________
September 8, 2009
Brian Lewis
Vancouver Province
By email: blewis@theprovince.com
Brian,
What you chose to not write in your articles tells more of a story than what you do write. Trying to tell the story of the lack of fish without telling the whole story goes a long way down the road of being intentionally misleading.
You don't seem to have any problems quoting Ernie Crey's conclusion that the fish runs are diminishing because of the impact of ocean fisheries but you refuse to point out that there have been no commercial fisheries (ocean) on this cycle since 1997. You're quick to quote Alex Rose that we are all to blame "we've done this collectively" but you won’t point out that the only people to kill sockeye on this run since 1997 are Natives (82% of catch), DFO in test fisheries, and recreational fisheries. No problem publishing Rose's statement that "this is all about greed because fish equals money" (conjuring up visions of a bunch of money hungry commercial fishermen hell-bent on killing the last Fraser River Sockeye for a few bucks). But you won’t write that the only money that has been made from this run in the last 12 years is from the sale of Native foodfish.
You’ll identify the white race as the culprit ("when will the white man learn") but you wouldn’t dare infer that Natives as a RACE share the blame. You’ll write that "Crey and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs are calling for a total ban on all Salmon fishing on the Fraser" but you won’t write that on the same day Native leaders were demanding another opening for the coming weekend. (DFO managers confirmed they would like to have all those fish on the spawning grounds). You’ll quote Ernie when he says "the First Nations fishery has had just one two day opening" but you won’t write about Lorrie Muench’s emails to you pointing out that there has been a targeted sockeye fishery going on all summer "Probably the biggest error you made was not looking into the Native chinook fishery and its impact on the sockeye. A Native friend of mine caught and kept over thirty sockeye last weekend (August 8) as bycatch in the targeted chinook fishery" and "That Native friend of mine caught seven chinook and a bycatch of sixty sockeye last weekend (August 15 - 16) in a targeted chinook fishery".
You’ll write that Rose recommends a "full inquiry – one armed with supeona powers" but you won’t write that our Fraser River fishing association has been demanding a judicial inquiry for 15 years (see one of our many letters below). You’ll write that Ernie is calling for a summit but you won’t point out that Chief Doug Kelly lobbied the government to kill our requests for a judicial inquiry.
This whole process goes completely off the tracks when you publish misinformation. In your article Ernie says, "The aboriginal total catch has been about 18,000 fish, compared to a normal year of 400,000 to 500,000". Here is the average Native catch by decade since the 40’s.
1940’s = 58,607 sockeye on average annually
1950’s = 83,993 sockeye on average annually
1960’s = 135,903 sockeye on average annually
1970’s = 208,461 sockeye on average annually
1980's = 420,615 sockeye on average annually
1990’s = 699,907 sockeye on average annually
2000’s = 735,376 (Up to 2006) sockeye on average annually
You may think your articles will somehow help the fish. I know it is difficult to publish anything inferring that Natives could be a part of the problem. Maybe even tougher to destroy the popular myth that greedy commercial fishermen are the problem. I can assure you, printing a bunch of half-truths and politically correct rhetoric isn’t helping the fish.
I assume your paper has told you to avoid writing anything that could be construed as Native criticism. Just a reminder that the journalistic courage and integrity in your articles (or lack of) doesn't only reflect on your paper. It speaks to the kind of journalist and person you are.
The fact that we have a biased media is no surprise to anyone. Clearly this bias affects public opinion and makes it easier for DFO to cover-up and abandon their obligation to protect the fish. Again, not a surprise to anyone. What we can’t forget is how the whole corrupt process affects the fish. This is one of the ingredients in the process that has seen a tragic depletion of the fish runs. When we all stand by and watch it happen we are another ingredient.
If you think we get a fair shake from the press, do nothing. If you agree or disagree with our position please tell the Province at:: wmoriarty@png.canwest.com
________________________________________
September 8, 2009
Brian Lewis
Vancouver Province
By email: blewis@theprovince.com
Brian,
What you chose to not write in your articles tells more of a story than what you do write. Trying to tell the story of the lack of fish without telling the whole story goes a long way down the road of being intentionally misleading.
You don't seem to have any problems quoting Ernie Crey's conclusion that the fish runs are diminishing because of the impact of ocean fisheries but you refuse to point out that there have been no commercial fisheries (ocean) on this cycle since 1997. You're quick to quote Alex Rose that we are all to blame "we've done this collectively" but you won’t point out that the only people to kill sockeye on this run since 1997 are Natives (82% of catch), DFO in test fisheries, and recreational fisheries. No problem publishing Rose's statement that "this is all about greed because fish equals money" (conjuring up visions of a bunch of money hungry commercial fishermen hell-bent on killing the last Fraser River Sockeye for a few bucks). But you won’t write that the only money that has been made from this run in the last 12 years is from the sale of Native foodfish.
You’ll identify the white race as the culprit ("when will the white man learn") but you wouldn’t dare infer that Natives as a RACE share the blame. You’ll write that "Crey and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs are calling for a total ban on all Salmon fishing on the Fraser" but you won’t write that on the same day Native leaders were demanding another opening for the coming weekend. (DFO managers confirmed they would like to have all those fish on the spawning grounds). You’ll quote Ernie when he says "the First Nations fishery has had just one two day opening" but you won’t write about Lorrie Muench’s emails to you pointing out that there has been a targeted sockeye fishery going on all summer "Probably the biggest error you made was not looking into the Native chinook fishery and its impact on the sockeye. A Native friend of mine caught and kept over thirty sockeye last weekend (August 8) as bycatch in the targeted chinook fishery" and "That Native friend of mine caught seven chinook and a bycatch of sixty sockeye last weekend (August 15 - 16) in a targeted chinook fishery".
You’ll write that Rose recommends a "full inquiry – one armed with supeona powers" but you won’t write that our Fraser River fishing association has been demanding a judicial inquiry for 15 years (see one of our many letters below). You’ll write that Ernie is calling for a summit but you won’t point out that Chief Doug Kelly lobbied the government to kill our requests for a judicial inquiry.
This whole process goes completely off the tracks when you publish misinformation. In your article Ernie says, "The aboriginal total catch has been about 18,000 fish, compared to a normal year of 400,000 to 500,000". Here is the average Native catch by decade since the 40’s.
1940’s = 58,607 sockeye on average annually
1950’s = 83,993 sockeye on average annually
1960’s = 135,903 sockeye on average annually
1970’s = 208,461 sockeye on average annually
1980's = 420,615 sockeye on average annually
1990’s = 699,907 sockeye on average annually
2000’s = 735,376 (Up to 2006) sockeye on average annually
You may think your articles will somehow help the fish. I know it is difficult to publish anything inferring that Natives could be a part of the problem. Maybe even tougher to destroy the popular myth that greedy commercial fishermen are the problem. I can assure you, printing a bunch of half-truths and politically correct rhetoric isn’t helping the fish.
I assume your paper has told you to avoid writing anything that could be construed as Native criticism. Just a reminder that the journalistic courage and integrity in your articles (or lack of) doesn't only reflect on your paper. It speaks to the kind of journalist and person you are.
Why is it so hard to criticize native bands? Are they not human too with the same faults as the rest of us, or are they somehow special and immune to all the human short comings? If any native person claims he or she is special or different then the rest of the human population...THEY ARE THE RACIST!!!!
H
HOOTEY
Guest
X10---you said it!!!
FISH LEGIT OR GET THE **** OFF THE RIVER!
FISH LEGIT OR GET THE **** OFF THE RIVER!
S
SnapperAttacker
Guest
You dont have to pay 10$ for a sockeye from the natives anymore...You just wait by thier stands untill dusk when they toss the remaining fish in a ditch, then grab one.
T
The Fish Assassin
Guest
Do you not know about FN'S priority access? All you guys have to do is tell DFO you will hang up your rods, then perhaps we could all work together at rebuilding the stocks. Something has to give, the ball is in your court.
Take only what you need.
H
HOOTEY
Guest
Pretty sure the bottom line here is"ANYONE FISHING ILLEGALLY GETS THE BOOK THROWN AT THEM...BUT IF THE DFO ISNT OUT ENFORCING THE LAWS,,,,NO ONE WINS!!!"
Another point if you buy the fish from the FN then were condoning there reckless use of ceremoinial fish for a bottle or what ever!!! Its true have seen it in Chilliwack to the Island...Laws are made for a reason but DFO has to get off their collective asses and do the job!
ITS OUR PASSION TO FISH AND GET OUT OF DOORS...PLEASE...FISH LEGAL OR GET OFF THE RIVER!
Another point if you buy the fish from the FN then were condoning there reckless use of ceremoinial fish for a bottle or what ever!!! Its true have seen it in Chilliwack to the Island...Laws are made for a reason but DFO has to get off their collective asses and do the job!
ITS OUR PASSION TO FISH AND GET OUT OF DOORS...PLEASE...FISH LEGAL OR GET OFF THE RIVER!
H
HOOTEY
Guest
Pretty sure the bottom line here is"ANYONE FISHING ILLEGALLY GETS THE BOOK THROWN AT THEM...BUT IF THE DFO ISNT OUT ENFORCING THE LAWS,,,,NO ONE WINS!!!"
Another point if you buy the fish from the FN then were condoning there reckless use of ceremoinial fish for a bottle or what ever!!! Its true have seen it in Chilliwack to the Island...Laws are made for a reason but DFO has to get off their collective asses and do the job!
ITS OUR PASSION TO FISH AND GET OUT OF DOORS...PLEASE...FISH LEGAL OR GET OFF THE RIVER!
Another point if you buy the fish from the FN then were condoning there reckless use of ceremoinial fish for a bottle or what ever!!! Its true have seen it in Chilliwack to the Island...Laws are made for a reason but DFO has to get off their collective asses and do the job!
ITS OUR PASSION TO FISH AND GET OUT OF DOORS...PLEASE...FISH LEGAL OR GET OFF THE RIVER!
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