Sushihunter
Active Member
http://www2.canada.com/westerly/news/upfront/story.html?id=b7e66c6e-ccd7-4726-9656-267a1b41deb4
Conservation must trump all other halibut concerns
Westerly News
Published: Thursday, January 13, 2011
Dear Editor,
It is interesting to see charter fishermen trying to pressure the department of fisheries into changing the conservation measures which are, according to the research, necessary to prevent halibut stocks from further diminishing and perhaps going into critical decline.
Clearly the halibut is not the property of charter fishermen. Without doubt they may argue about inter-allocations within the system (yet some of these allocations and quotas are actually conservation measures), however the overall catch and area specific measures needed for conservation should remain the domain of Fisheries and Oceans.
Let us not repeat the cod disaster on the East Coast or the disasters that befell the salmon in Washington and Oregon. The destruction of ocean species seems to move up the coast of North America with perhaps Alaska being the last redoubt.
Some fishermen it appears move northwards just ahead of the various closures and restrictions that accompany the failures of the fisheries.
Fishermen may point to the erroneous estimates of returning salmon last year, where the estimates were far exceeded on certain runs. However, species in dire trouble often attempt "das Gross Schlag" or a final massing to overcome exctinction. We have yet to see how this one anomoly year plays out.
Clearly, First Nations should have a major say in protecting this species from the seeming free-for-all of the past few years; afterall, it is a traditional staple of their diet and part of their birthright to fish halibut.
Fisheries officers and research should be respected yet heed First Nations with priority and not become unduly hindered by industry lobby groups.
How can an industry of often highly leveraged operators, often catering to foreigners and appealing to their bigger is better sensibilites, be entrusted to have any sort of unbiased input into the setting of limits on halibut fishing or any other kind of fishing for that matter.
They are in it for the money, (like most of us) and unfortunately that is mostly short term. Few charter fishermen have the resources to think long-term, yet this is not their fault; it's more likely the banks' fault for lending on the strength of finite resource incomes.
The reason we have government is for order and to protect our resources -- and I stress 'our' resources.
Many people recognize the halibut we see landed are getting markedly smaller. Halibut has become the fish of preference as the salmon decline.
Oceanographers all agree the fish in the oceans are in trouble. It is said, if everyone in the world had a piece of fish to eat every two days or even once a week, the oceans would be empty inside of six months and take hundreds of years to recouperate. Fish it seems are becoming like oil -- there is just not enough to go around.
The fisheries department has, in the past, bordered on corrupt behaviour by letting political, and thus industry, concerns for more dictate policy. Conservation must trump all other concerns or there will be no industry in a few years time.
Finally, charter fishermen should stop complaining and pushing for more and own up to their responsibilities to protect what is left. Yes, there may be a legitimate argument for rearranging the quota among users, however the overall harvest must be based on best science, rather than interest group politics and the irresponsible undermining of our trusted public servants.
Mike Wright, Tofino
© Westerly News 2011
Conservation must trump all other halibut concerns
Westerly News
Published: Thursday, January 13, 2011
Dear Editor,
It is interesting to see charter fishermen trying to pressure the department of fisheries into changing the conservation measures which are, according to the research, necessary to prevent halibut stocks from further diminishing and perhaps going into critical decline.
Clearly the halibut is not the property of charter fishermen. Without doubt they may argue about inter-allocations within the system (yet some of these allocations and quotas are actually conservation measures), however the overall catch and area specific measures needed for conservation should remain the domain of Fisheries and Oceans.
Let us not repeat the cod disaster on the East Coast or the disasters that befell the salmon in Washington and Oregon. The destruction of ocean species seems to move up the coast of North America with perhaps Alaska being the last redoubt.
Some fishermen it appears move northwards just ahead of the various closures and restrictions that accompany the failures of the fisheries.
Fishermen may point to the erroneous estimates of returning salmon last year, where the estimates were far exceeded on certain runs. However, species in dire trouble often attempt "das Gross Schlag" or a final massing to overcome exctinction. We have yet to see how this one anomoly year plays out.
Clearly, First Nations should have a major say in protecting this species from the seeming free-for-all of the past few years; afterall, it is a traditional staple of their diet and part of their birthright to fish halibut.
Fisheries officers and research should be respected yet heed First Nations with priority and not become unduly hindered by industry lobby groups.
How can an industry of often highly leveraged operators, often catering to foreigners and appealing to their bigger is better sensibilites, be entrusted to have any sort of unbiased input into the setting of limits on halibut fishing or any other kind of fishing for that matter.
They are in it for the money, (like most of us) and unfortunately that is mostly short term. Few charter fishermen have the resources to think long-term, yet this is not their fault; it's more likely the banks' fault for lending on the strength of finite resource incomes.
The reason we have government is for order and to protect our resources -- and I stress 'our' resources.
Many people recognize the halibut we see landed are getting markedly smaller. Halibut has become the fish of preference as the salmon decline.
Oceanographers all agree the fish in the oceans are in trouble. It is said, if everyone in the world had a piece of fish to eat every two days or even once a week, the oceans would be empty inside of six months and take hundreds of years to recouperate. Fish it seems are becoming like oil -- there is just not enough to go around.
The fisheries department has, in the past, bordered on corrupt behaviour by letting political, and thus industry, concerns for more dictate policy. Conservation must trump all other concerns or there will be no industry in a few years time.
Finally, charter fishermen should stop complaining and pushing for more and own up to their responsibilities to protect what is left. Yes, there may be a legitimate argument for rearranging the quota among users, however the overall harvest must be based on best science, rather than interest group politics and the irresponsible undermining of our trusted public servants.
Mike Wright, Tofino
© Westerly News 2011
