Fisheries minister ignored advice from own scientists

[Whole in the Water]

Sad but true

Fisheries minister ignored advice from own scientists

By Kristian Secher
Published February 22, 2014 01:54 pm |

When federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea approved the reopening of commercial herring roe fisheries on First Nations' territories in British Columbia, she ignored the recommendations of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) scientists. This was revealed in an internal DFO document released yesterday during a court hearing of five Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations' injunction against DFO's proposal to reopen the west coast of Vancouver Island to commercial herring roe fisheries in 2014. In a memorandum addressed to the minister on Dec. 9 2013, DFO scientists recommend maintaining the closure of the areas around the west coast of Vancouver Island, the central coast and Haida Gwaii for the 2014 fishing season. Despite the advice, Shea announced on Dec. 23, 2013 that the three areas would be reopened to commercial herring roe fisheries at a harvest rate of 10 per cent in 2014.

"The minister clearly ignored the advice of her own internal experts," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo during a press conference in front of the Federal Court Building in Vancouver. "There is a pattern of decision making within governments where advice is offered to a minister and then ignored just as in this case." Atleo remarked that the current legal action is but another example of the federal government overruling concerns of First Nations, which then results in conflicts that have to be settled in courts. "This is about upholding the Nuu-chah-nulth nations' rights and it is also about a relationship that must change between First Nations and the federal government," he said.

A minister should not overstep the advice of science and he stances of first nations, Atleo said. "That's a pattern that absolutely must end. That's what being sought here in court." The west coast of Vancouver Island and the central coast have been closed for commercial herring roe fisheries since 2006. In early February 2014 Don Hall, fisheries program manager with the Nuu-chah-nulth Fisheries Department, told The Tyee that herring populations are still too small and spread out to make commercial herring roe fishing viable.

"I don't understand why the minister is not listening," said Deb Foxcroft, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, during the press conference. "We've asked for numerous meetings with her but she doesn't want to meet with us."

Kristian Secher is completing a practicum at The Tyee.

 

[ziggy]

Wonder how Atleo would feel if those same scientists recommended a complete closure of salmon harvesting in the spawning rivers? Two wrongs don't make a right , however more and more it seems, conservation, is something the other guys should practise.

 

[Aces]

The Ahousats are hypocrites in my opinion. They are trying to shut down sportfishing in Clayoquot Sound while they don't contribute much to enhancement and net the rivers mercilessly

 

[J-GLOBAL]

The Ahousats are hypocrites in my opinion. They are trying to shut down sportfishing in Clayoquot Sound while they don't contribute much to enhancement and net the rivers mercilessly

http://www.vancouversun.com/technol...ision+open+herring+fishery/9541803/story.html

Everyone seems to look out for their own selfish interests. There are 5 million people in BC, 3 million opinions, and probably just a few well informed opinions on any/all openings.
I'm not sure why the Ahousats are singled out as the only hypocrites. Seems to be each/every side could say the same about each/every other side and could find evidence to support their opinion. Unfortunately.

Because of the competing intere$ts, it unlikely that all will be able to work together to achieve a universally accepted plan/approach.

Too bad our governments, who should lead, are not independent from the proce$$. But "the government" is just a collection of people with their own intere$ts.

 

[Aces]

http://www.vancouversun.com/technol...ision+open+herring+fishery/9541803/story.html

Everyone seems to look out for their own selfish interests. There are 5 million people in BC, 3 million opinions, and probably just a few well informed opinions on any/all openings.
I'm not sure why the Ahousats are singled out as the only hypocrites. Seems to be each/every side could say the same about each/every other side and could find evidence to support their opinion. Unfortunately.

Because of the competing intere$ts, it unlikely that all will be able to work together to achieve a universally accepted plan/approach.

Too bad our governments, who should lead, are not independent from the proce$$. But "the government" is just a collection of people with their own intere$ts.

Well......at the roundtable meetings the last few years the Tla-o-qui-aht band was very cooperative and progressive. They were quite receptive to enhancement and conservation ideas that were put forth and didn't blame everything on the sportfishers as opposed to the Ahousats. The tone coming out of those meetings is very disheartening to say the least.

Now i have friends that are Ahousats that don't agree with the stand that their council is taking. Hopefully a more moderate approach from their side is forthcoming with the next generation otherwise there is big trouble coming.

 

[Sangstercraft]

Well......at the roundtable meetings the last few years the Tla-o-qui-aht band was very cooperative and progressive. They were quite receptive to enhancement and conservation ideas that were put forth and didn't blame everything on the sportfishers as opposed to the Ahousats. The tone coming out of those meetings is very disheartening to say the least.

Now i have friends that are Ahousats that don't agree with the stand that their council is taking. Hopefully a more moderate approach from their side is forthcoming with the next generation otherwise there is big trouble coming.

Yes we are going to have to find common ground with others who enjoy this resource, and work together against the government's relentless pursuit of short-term economic progress.

 

[eaglemaniac]

I'm just glad that at some level, Harper and his fish farm cow have been told no. Hopefully this will lead to more push back from other sectors. One can only hope. eman

 

[Foxsea]

... Hopefully this will lead to more push back from other sectors. One can only hope. eman

Conservation groups call on Auditor General due to lack of action on $26 million salmon inquiry recommendations funded by taxpayers

On Behalf of Watershed Watch Salmon Society/SOS Marine Conservation Foundation on Monday 24th of February 2014 11:34:17 AM
Media Release
February 24, 2014

Vancouver--Watershed Watch Salmon Society and SOS Marine Conservation Foundation today filed Environmental Petitions with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. While the federal government is to be commended for initiating the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Fraser River Sockeye, the call to the Auditor General was prompted by a dire concern around government’s failure to meet deadlines and take action associated with this Inquiry’s recommendations.

Nearly 16 months have passed since Justice Cohen’s Final Report and recommendations--hailed as a “blueprint for salmon conservation”--were publicly tabled. Despite government claims of action “consistent with Justice Cohen’s recommendations,” it’s inescapable that, to date, 18 recommendation deadlines have lapsed without any clear action or response from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) or the Minster of Fisheries and Oceans.

Another significant recommendation deadline looms in just over a month. By March 31st, 2014, an independent body, such as the Office of the Auditor General, is to report to Canadians on the federal government’s progress in implementing the Wild Salmon Policy--a progressive federal initiative geared towards protecting British Columbia’s wild salmon which has seemingly fallen to the back of the line, in terms of DFO priorities.

The two Environmental Petitions filed today include specific questions posed to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and other federal agencies on various aspects of the Cohen Inquiry such as:

•Can DFO provide evidence that it has taken action on the Inquiry’s recommendation to remedy its conflicting bureaucratic mandates between conserving wild fish and promoting industries such as the open-net salmon farming industry?

•Has a specific timeline been developed for implementation of the six strategies of the Wild Salmon Policy and if so, at what date(s) does DFO plan that its strategies will finally be implemented?

•What work, if any, has DFO and any other federal departments done to review the Cohen Inquiry Final Report and implement its recommendations?

The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans must reply in written form to the 36 questions filed in the two environmental petitions within 120 days of receiving them.

Dr. Craig Orr, Executive Director of Watershed Watch Salmon Society, expressed deep concern over the lack of meaningful action from the federal government on the Cohen Inquiry recommendations. Dr. Orr said, “We are left with no choice but to call on the Auditor General of Canada to investigate exactly what the federal government has done to review the Cohen Commission recommendations and report back to Canadians. British Columbia’s wild salmon are at stake here.”

Stan Proboszcz, Fisheries Biologist with Watershed Watch Salmon Society, spent several years as a participant and following-up on the Cohen Commission and was pleased to see the high calibre of work outlined in the Final Report. He was hopeful it would lead to improved protection for salmon and habitat. Fast forward almost 16 months, Mr. Proboszcz now fears the federal government is side-stepping the Commission’s work with slick communications that commit only to “acting consistently with the recommendations.” Mr. Proboszcz said, “Wild salmon are a precious icon integral to the fabric of Canadian society. Disregarding these recommendations is sadly reminiscent of the East Coast cod collapse, when federal bureaucrats were accused of ignoring the recommendations of scientists--and we all know what effect that collapse had on Canadians.”