Cheers Bob Cole (SFAB),
RE: Bob Cole asked….”Does anyone have an explanation of the almost "flat line" of (Somass) Chinook escapement or have we messed up big time?”
What is this WE? The only WE I know is the recreational fishery which is an economic engine that drives much of the tourism of BC’s West Coast. Report after report places the economic contribution of the recreational fishery solidly in first place with second place a very distant consideration. It really is a tourism fishery. This fishery has evolved based on DFO’s stated ‘priority access’ to Chinook, coho and, in certain situations, sockeye. However WE don't set the limits! WE don't put the commercial boats on the water! WE don't put the commercial native fishery on the water! WE don’t allow the FSC fishery to become another major commercial slaughter with no intestinal fortitude to manage it for what the courts intended. Shall I continue?
I was under the impression that the ‘precautionary principle’ was first and foremost DFO’s prime directive, and that DFO’s priority was conservation of the target escapement for the river and hatchery before all others.
I am mad as HELL! Year after year DFO mismanages this valuable recreational fishery trying to please everyone, in spite of the economics, without an integrated Barkley Sound Salmon Production and Harvest Plan. To watch ten thousand Chinook harvested the week before the Port Alberni Salmon Festival in 2009 and 2008 defies comprehension, especially by my clients who cancel only to rebook elsewhere. As the other resource industries recede, the recreational fishery, along with the Port Alberni Salmon Festival, have became vital economic events yet now find themselves threatened.
Some people need to lose their jobs! Not that this will solve the problem, but it may put a renewed responsibility and possibly a more responsive management/data regime in place.
This appears to be a singular opportunity for the Sport Fish Advisory Board process to speak forcefully that we are mad as hell and will not repeat this situation. Where is the media?
Either WE scream bloody murder for immediate change, then help make significant steps that will ensure that the precautionary principle and a new business model is embraced or, WE simply give up as WE are truly wasting everyone’s time and squandering a fabulous Canadian asset. There simply may well be no fish left for us to protect. “WE” CAN DO BETTER!
Sincerely,
Gerald Rupp
www.invictuscharters.com
www.fishingvancouverisland.org
