Safety concerns with Port Alberni Commercial Sockeye nets

[searun]

The past summer there were concerns expressed regarding navigation conflicts with the commercial gill net and seine nets during the Port Alberni sockeye fishery. We heard several incidents where the entire canal was blocked by nets making safe navigation almost impossible. Some of the nets are not well marked, and in rough seas are almost impossible to see by approaching boaters.

We are placing this topic on the agenda of the upcoming Area 23 SFAC meeting to gather feedback and determine what steps can be taken to reduce these conflicts and improve safety.

Anyone have observations and ideas on improving safety they wish to share, I will do my best to collect and incorporate into the SFAC discussions.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[baddogg]

Maybe it's just me, but we had a difficult time finding the ends of the gill nets when navigating, even at very slow speeds. Is it not possible for the ends to be marked with a flag or something that plainly identifies the end of the net. Sometimes the buoy they are using just doesn't stand out. Thanks

 

[searun]

Thanks, good recommendation. Another part of the problem is they overlap nets making it very difficult to transit the area. This summer 4 nets got caught up in a large commercial freighter - they didn't pull the nets in time to allow safe passage. I'm sure there are other suggestions/observations to help address these issues.

 

[Olde School]

This is a problem. Twice this past June I was up on a net, despite going slowly and having another set of eyes helping. Fortunately I was able to reverse before getting my prop tangled. My dad had the same thing happen returning from Chatham in August, wasn't able to stop in time, but didn't suffer damage to his prop or leg.

I wonder if there can't be a rule in place regarding non-encroachment of a navigation channel. Perhaps such a thing already exists and simply needs to be enforced?
As to the lack of visibility of nets; in this age of cheap LEDs it shouldn't be difficult to expect better lit nets.

 

[searun]

Thanks, more good ideas. So true, there can't be a lot of cost to placing some LED lights on the nets. Also agree there should be rules in place aimed at keeping the middle section of the canal open for safe vessel transit. Totally crazy having someone placed into a situation where they are not able to see the nets until they are right on it. Someone is going to get seriously hurt, its just a matter of time.

 

[eaglemaniac]

I totaly agree searun, they have to have a safe navigational channel. This total blockade of the inlet is not acceptable. Either limit them to one side of the inlet or open up down the middle as you suggested. They must create a safe passage. I can't believe the powers that be allow it to happen. eman

 

[CVmike]

Let it happen, as so it's not law to allow too happen?

 

[WILDSALMON]

For those who would like to learn how to navigate effectively on the waters we share in Alberni Inlet, there is a pamphlet that was produced by recreational and commercial fishers called "On Common Waters" that describes the best ways to locate and navigate around commercial nets. Bob Cole or Paul Dore would be good resources for this information. We should find a way to post this information on line.
A quick rule of thumb if in doubt is to head towards the commercial vessel as they are usually on the end of the net. Twenty years ago there were up to 500 gill-netters in the canal, now the fleet is approx. 40-100.
Fishing on the canal this year most recreational fishers were excellent at finding our nets and throttling back when necessary. We appreciate those who take the time to navigate appropriately.
Regards

 

[Klob]

Perhaps there should also be a pamphlet on how to commercially fish the canal with clearly visible net sets and so as not to completely block off safe passage. JMHO

 

[Rockfish]

You should be impressed boys. This is high quality professional spin doctoring; press release quality really. It is always nice to see a pro at work.

 

[searun]

With respect, the suggestions in the pamphlet only work when the commercial operators also follow them. Many times they were sitting in the middle of their nets, or worse on the shoreward end which is totally not helpful! When you pointed your vessel at theirs they started running the net towards the open end of safe passage. Normally a good and helpful practice. Problem though...some seemed to wait until you are right on them and have to come to a complete stop. I actually had one guy going completely mental because I pointed my boat right at him until I could figure out where the end of the net was in rough seas. So, it appears some commercial guys need to read the pamphlet too, or maybe I just need glasses to see his tiny corks bobbing around in the waves.

Regardless, no informational pamphlet is going to solve the issue of situations where the nets are strung completely across the inlet in an over-lapping manner - as they were this summer. Its a total hazard to navigation, and is especially compounded in rough seas with inexperienced boaters.

Hell, even experienced boaters could not avoid conflicts... we had 4 nets caught up in a commercial freighter. IF that isn't a major hazard to safe navigation what is?

I'm not suggesting for a minute that the commercial fleet doesn't have an equal right to be on the water, just that there needs to be a better way to avoid conflicts.

What would be wrong with requiring flags to mark the end of the net, plus some larger floats at regular intervals aimed to improve visibility in choppy conditions? If flags work for marking hali long lines, why not gill netters? Or how about requirement that nets cannot impede the center of the channel?; or requirement to fish only one side of the inlet leaving a portion open for safe transit?

There's probably a lot of other great ideas - and yes we will be discussing them at the Area 23 SFAC meeting, which Paul Dore will be chairing - and this IS one of the main complaint issues that kept his phone and email ringing off the hook.

There were a lot of unhappy boaters, many of whom have been calling for the Minister of Transportation to weigh in on solving the problem.

 

[Birdman]

how about different coloured floats besides white? bright colours of some sort. Trying to see some gillnetters stupid tiny white corks in a 3 foot chop pounding through Nahmint in the afternoon - good luck.

 

[seadna]

On the bright side, a rep from the commercial fishermen showed up and attempted to offer some useful information. While that clearly does not completely address the situation, I think he should be commended for at least making an attempt (as opposed to be crapped on for "spin doctoring"). I liked SeaRun's reply. Just my two cents worth.

 

[Redfisher]

Following some of this logic perhaps we should stop all commercial salmon fishing and just use weirs in the river. And if you think Alberni is hard navigating during a gillnet opening try the Fraser or the Skeena. There is a lack of awareness that these are international regulations pertaining to navigation regulations. As someone who fished with the "white corks" in Alberni and elsewhere if no one stands up for the independent gillnet fisherman trying to make a living then the old adage from Martin Niemöller comes in to play: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

[searun]

Well red fisher, its good to hear from some gill netters. I'm not saying we need to rid the waters of gill netters, rather we need to come up with some ways to minimize the conflicts. That said, if the commercial fleet doesn't want to make this work out then IMO safety has to trump how anyone wants to fish. I'm thinking the Minister of Transportation might have a few things to say about safety if someone gets hurt. I would rather that we work together to find workable solutions than wait around for an accident to happen. To do anything else is simply irresponsible.