Conservative Fisheries plan

[dradons]

To be fair to all of you guys... every government has not been are friends... we can dig up a pile of Rubble on all parties... Have any of you guys gone to your local party's and asked them the questions? Im betting not...

ELECTION QUESTIONS

Many issues are competing for the attention of voters and candidates. Asking key fish and fishery questions during the coming weeks is critical to keep our issues being discussed and considered by politicians and the public. Regardless of who or which party is elected, ensuring that the government understands, supports and is willing to invest in the future of our fishery and the resources that it depends upon has never been more important.

It is critical that our elected officials are made aware of and and asked to support initiatives that maintain and, where necessary and possible, rebuild salmon populations in order to avoid a repeat of the harmful and, in many cases, unnecessary restrictions that were imposed on fisheries on the South Coast in 2019.

Healthy, abundant salmon stocks and the fisheries they support are vitally important to many British Columbians. With over 300,000 individuals who purchase recreational fishing licenses each year, the effects, impacts and benefits to small communities and businesses from access to sustainable resources is socially and economically vital to BC.

Here are some key points that every potential MP should be asked to address and provide a position for.

Ask your local candidates: Do you and your party:

• Support the use of hatchery-based enhancement to either maintain or rebuild salmon populations at a level that will support vibrant, healthy, sustainable fisheries?
• Support the use of Mass Marking and Mark Selective Fisheries as a way to provide access to abundant stocks of hatchery produced salmon and avoid wild stocks of concern?
• Support the need for government to enforce existing laws and regulations that protect salmon habitat, and invest in habitat rehabilitation initiatives to promote long term sustainability?
• Support the idea of science-based predator control in specific areas to address the impacts that predators are having on juvenile and adult salmon stocks?
• Understand the importance of the public fishery to your riding, and the impact that a lack of certainty and stability in regulations and access has on businesses and citizens who either support or participate in the fishery?
• Understand that fishery resources are a common property resource, managed by the Federal Government at tax-payers expense for the benefit of all Canadians, and are willing to support the idea that all Canadians should be able to benefit from those resources in a meaningful way?

A Commitment to Move Open Net Pen Salmon Farms to Closed Containment by 2025
Some excellent progress has been made in making the case for the importance of salmon and salmon habitat. Three of the four main parties have agreed that a plan will be developed to transition from open net pen salmon farming in coastal waters to to closed containment by 2025. While it is an election time promise, it is a positive step and should be commended. For more details about open net salmon farming issues and where candidates and parties stand please visit Wild First and the Pledge Tracker.

Perspectives on Public Fishery and the Election
Please see the Island Fisherman Magazine election poll for some perspectives on how the public fishery issues are being or should be addressed in the election dialogue. Provide your thoughts and perspectives too.

LET THEM KNOW!
Please take the time to make candidates understand that the public fishery is important to you and your community. Get out there, ask about Marked Selective Fisheries and other fishery questions too. Make sure local politicians understand that the public fishery is important to their riding, that their feedback on these important issues is vitally important, and that their responses will be held to account following the election.

The SFI questions are good ones and can be asked to all candidates. I was at an event on the north shore last month (not in my riding) and a bunch of the candidates came out. It is good to chat with them in person. Unfortunately, not all really understand the issues.

 

[wildmanyeah]

Harper did not effect the ocean survival of sockeye AA.

I expect more from you then that

 

[agentaqua]

Although I never stated that - you think there was no effect to cutting both enforcement and habitat protections?

I expect more from you then that

 

[Derby]

The SFI questions are good ones and can be asked to all candidates. I was at an event on the north shore last month (not in my riding) and a bunch of the candidates came out. It is good to chat with them in person. Unfortunately, not all really understand the issues.

This is the first time I have really been active except during that Hali Quota allocation battle years ago.... It takes time for candidates to get up to speed...to activate change we as individual need to put this front & center, asking the hard question.. We need to let them know that the public spot fishery is import & generates a lot of jobs & revenue . In fact i believe touches most coastal folks in BC

 

[GLG]

Canada’s Conservatives announce plan to support fisheries

https://www.conservative.ca/canadas-conservatives-announce-plan-to-support-fisheries/


October 6, 2019

A new Conservative government would engage new strategies, partnerships and provide funding to support critical industry

Alfie MacLeod, Conservative Candidate for Cape Breton – Canso, and Eddie Orrell, Conservative Candidate for Sydney – Victoria, were in Glace Bay today to speak with local fish harvesters about Andrew Scheer’s plan to promote and support Canada’s fisheries by adopting new strategies and partnerships to strengthen relationships and build consensus on how to restore fish stocks. Similar announcements were made by Conservative candidates across the country.

“The Trudeau Liberals have failed to consult fish harvesters over the past four years and this has had a real impact on our coastal communities,” said Alfie MacLeod. “Livelihoods throughout our province depend on the fishery. Conservatives will work with Nova Scotians to strengthen this vital resource.”

To renew engagement and consultation to support our fisheries, a new Conservative government will:

• Create advisory panels with fish harvesters and anglers, Indigenous groups, and other experts as appropriate, to rebuild critical stocks and ensure that everyone is working together.
• Enhance and rebuild wild Atlantic and Pacific salmon stocks by increasing support for community-led conservation and enhancement projects and increasing the price of the Salmon Conservation Stamp for non-residents to benefit the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
• Complete new recovery plans for all of Canada’s critical fisheries and develop strategies for managing predators and invasive species where necessary.
• Repeal measures that bypass community consultations for Marine Protected Areas while ensuring that the process is robust and timely. Justin Trudeau’s changes have short circuited important community consultations for Marine Protected Areas.
• Work with industry to develop a strategy for preventing seafood fraud.
• Create a modern aquaculture act.
• Support the advancement of technology and practices that reduce contact between wild and farmed salmon.

“It is so important to note the important role that fisheries play in our local economies,” said Alfie MacLeod. “To maintain infrastructure and support communities, a new Conservative government will provide $250 million in additional support for small craft harbours.”

Supporting our fisheries is also an important part of A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment. As part of our efforts to combat oceans plastic, a new Conservative government will work with international partners to reduce the prevalence of “ghost gear”, or abandoned and lost gear, which entangles marine wildlife and contributes to the world’s oceans’ plastic problem. We will work to protect our oceans against one of the deadliest forms of marine litter.

“A new Conservative government will support our fishing industry to ensure our local communities and economies continue to thrive,” said Eddie Orrell. “These are necessary measures – strategies, partnerships, and funding – to make sure this critical industry continues to thrive.”

Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives: “Justin Trudeau is not as advertised. This election, Canadians have a choice. Between the poor judgement of Justin Trudeau, and a new, positive Conservative government that will take immediate action to give you more help at home.”

Supporting Document:

Backgrounder

In the background pdf it says this.

Enhance and rebuild wild Atlantic and Pacific salmon stocks by:

• increasing support for the Salmonid Enhancement Program with a focus on partnerships with community groups;
• restoring the community-led Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program (RFCPP), which was cancelled by the Liberals; and
• doubling the price of the Salmon Conservation Stamp in B.C. for nonresidents, with the proceeds going to the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

The RFCPP program is not your friend if you do salmon enhancement. Their is a good reason why this program was cancelled and why nobody screamed when it went away. Speaking from experience as one of the few volunteer salmon enhancement societies here in BC that got funding with this program. I can tell you that you need very deep pockets to get any money. You also need someone that has lots of time on their hands to jump through the hoops that come with participating in this program. He also needs to have a high threshold for pain and aggravation. Sure it sounds good and there is some good cash that comes with it, but to benefit, consider spending north of 50K of your society money to play the game.

Great that they consider doubling the salmon stamp from $6 to $12 for our friends down south but that's chump change and the real problem is the law that the Cons passed call the "User Fee Act." This law has tied the hands of all (SFAC/SFAB) that have tried to increase to pay our own way when it comes to salmon enhancement. I'll remind everyone that this is a basic principle that goes back to Conservative values. They screwed the pooch with that one and so far the remedy has been to take, out of general revenue, an amount to compensate and given it to PSF.

It would be far better to take the funds and expand PSF funding to handle larger projects and fund smaller projects that normally don't get funded due to lack of funds. I seem to recall that there are hundreds of projects that are submitted to PSF each year that are turned down just because of lack of funding. Fix that and you would see many happy enhancement societies that are willing to work hard to "bring salmon back one stream at a time".

 

[Derby]

in the announcement yesterday.... I believe u would see they are proposing that the conservation stamp would go up from out of Canada residents and the moneys would got to PSF..so there would be more moneys available for those projects

 

[cracked_ribs]

Another excellent post, dradons. Also - changes in the landbase and riparian areas would also affect salmon habitat - so the Provincial government & regulatory changes there would also have a potential impact. Harper went from 6 February 2006 to 4 November 2015.

Here's an interesting report on salmon production: https://www.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/coastal/Connors_Speaking_for_salmon.FINAL.pdf

This is an interesting graph from it:
View attachment 48453

So from the same document, are we concluding that this graph in which the numbers are improving after Harper was in power for a while is actually an indicator of something else?

What is the specific number of years that it takes for policy changes to take effect? Would run crashes follow a government, or would they be delayed by X number of years? What is that number of years?

Once again we're looking at conclusions with really questionable data to support them. Confirmation bias is very common...if you start with the belief that Harper harmed salmon it's easy to conclude his policy changes must have done so but I'm not seeing any clear indication that that's the case.

And finally:

Thanks for the opportunity to revisit the last Conservative government

That is not an opportunity you received from me; that is something you have, as usual, chosen to do because you want to. You brought them up, and you choose to continue discussing it. I have no control over what you feel is appropriate to post in any given thread and take no responsibility for your posts.

 

[wildmanyeah]

There is no correlation between salmon stocks and our governments and if there is the liberals would be to blame since they have held the balance of power for most of this countries existence .

Harper did have some destructive fresh water habitat policy’s and yes gutted DFOs science. He was not well liked by many in the end and got voted out.

AA has previously pointed out that the smoking gun for salmon crashing has been fish farms and ocean survival.

Now because it’s helps his argument he’s now pointing to fresh water habitat issues:

The cuts to stock assessment started way before harpers government. The freeze on salmon enhancement budget also happened before harpers time.

DFO stoped enumerating small streams in the lower mainland wayyyyyy before Harper.

The major issue is access to the resource that the liberals have restricted the last 4 years. That’s only going to get worse if they stay in power.

 

[agentaqua]

For those whom either understand and/or study the life histories of the different salmon species - it's fairly well accepted what species are the most likely to be affected by what fresh- and/or saltwater impacts.

All species are affected at regional scales by marine mortality.

However, in the freshwater - coho and Chinook are the most likely to be impacted from lotic freshwater habitat - esp the juvies - in addition to the marine mortality. The further interior and the further North one goes in BC - this becomes more critical. The reason for this is that the length of time that the juvies spend in FW increases - and the % of 2+YO juvies increases for sockeye and coho.

IN contrast and at the other end of the spectrum are pinks and chums - who outmigrate @ a very small size and don't utilize FW except for egg incubation. Due to their very small size - they are most @ risk for impacts in the early marine environment - esp. things like sea lice loading from adjacent FFs.

You might benefit from a better understanding of wild salmon, WMY - esp. the juvie end of things.

 

[searun]

in the announcement yesterday.... I believe u would see they are proposing that the conservation stamp would go up from out of Canada residents and the moneys would got to PSF..so there would be more moneys available for those projects

Ha ha ha....careful, next they will be trying to tell you the PSF is causing climate change. Re-hashing the former Harper government's record is patently unfair and misleading in terms of what we could expect from a new Conservative government. Particularly when we have a whole new set of Conservative leaders who have been actively listening to issues, and I would venture to say learning from past mistakes and amending their policy platform. To at least not closely examine their new policy is simply being narrow minded.

Comparing the actual fisheries platforms of the parties, and lets be realistic here...there are really only 2 choices if you want to influence who will be the next Minister of Fisheries. So under the Liberals we know their agenda will be more protection measures that have a direct impact on your fishery by closing it down....rather than investing into rebuilding. The Conservatives are promising a shift in that thinking towards a positive agenda that rebuilds, engages stakeholders, and sets a realistic goal for MPAs at 10% as opposed to 25%, which in effect basically closes down your access to the areas you fish. Just asking folks to fair-mindedly think about what and whom you are voting for based on their current (modern) election platforms.

 

[wildmanyeah]

For those whom either understand and/or study the life histories of the different salmon species - it's fairly well accepted what species are the most likely to be affected by what fresh- and/or saltwater impacts.

All species are affected at regional scales by marine mortality.

However, in the freshwater - coho and Chinook are the most likely to be impacted from lotic freshwater habitat - esp the juvies. The further interior and the further North one goes in BC - this becomes more critical. The reason for this is that the length of time that the juvies spend in FW increases.

IN contrast and at the other end of the spectrum are pinks and chums - who outmigrate @ a very small size and don't utilize FW except for egg incubation. Due to their very small size - they are most @ risk for impacts in the early marine environment - esp. things like sea lice loading from adjacent FFs.

You might benefit from a better understanding of wild salmon, WMY - esp. the juvie end of things.

hey you do pay attention to things @Dave says. Good to see you are evolving. By the time fish farms are removed you will have a whole set of new things to complain about.

 

[searun]

For those whom either understand and/or study the life histories of the different salmon species - it's fairly well accepted what species are the most likely to be affected by what fresh- and/or saltwater impacts.

All species are affected at regional scales by marine mortality.

However, in the freshwater - coho and Chinook are the most likely to be impacted from lotic freshwater habitat - esp the juvies. The further interior and the further North one goes in BC - this becomes more critical. The reason for this is that the length of time that the juvies spend in FW increases.

IN contrast and at the other end of the spectrum are pinks and chums - who outmigrate @ a very small size and don't utilize FW except for egg incubation. Due to their very small size - they are most @ risk for impacts in the early marine environment - esp. things like sea lice loading from adjacent FFs.

You might benefit from a better understanding of wild salmon, WMY - esp. the juvie end of things.

I would not agree with you on Chinook, especially ocean type whom spend only 3 or so months in FW...and BTW also appear to be fairing remarkably well in recent times as compared to their Stream-Type cousins. Funny too, because the Chum run is the worst on record for a great deal of the rivers on South Coast (a few exceptions). I think the ocean survival mystery is far too complex for generalizations that we (myself included) often like to make. But to blame salmon performance generally on any sitting or otherwise government is unfair....even if I disagree with the Liberals and their approach to implementing the Wild Salmon Policy. Investments into habitat and enhancement to offset human-caused impacts of climate change does in my view appear to be the only reasonable thing we can do to ensure there is a future for salmon. To sit back and take the do nothing approach that the Province used for managing steelhead is a recipe for slowly managing to extinction.

 

[Derby]

The Thompson river steelhead come to mind as great example ..sadly

 

[agentaqua]

and the further North and further inland - that "race" of Chinook changes from "Ocean-type" to "river-type", searun. The Skeena has Ocean-types up to the limit of the tide in the lower tribs and river-types upstream of that - while the Nass is all river-type as far as I know... Southern and Coastal BC - the other side of that spectrum...

chum... ya lots of theories on that one. Some say that the seiners that sat off the mouths of the creeks in the inlets creamed off most of the stock in the 80s since chum ripen outside the creeks - unlike coho & Chinooks. Others say climate change has caused the juvies to ripen from eggs way too early in the spring (due to the elevated temps jumping-up the ATUs) causing them to hit the estuaries too early for the harpactacoid growth. Others blame the FFS. Likely a combination of any of the above - dependent upon where one is discussing. And the runs on the South Coast are generally later than elsewheres in the province, as well.

 

[agentaqua]

hey you do pay attention to things @Dave says. Good to see you are evolving. By the time fish farms are removed you will have a whole set of new things to complain about.

Dave who? never heard of that guy...You're welcome by-the-way on increasing your understanding of juvie salmon.

 

[wildmanyeah]

and the further North and further inland - that "race" of Chinook changes from "Ocean-type" to "river-type", searun. The Skeena has Ocean-types up to the limit of the tide in the lower tribs and river-types upstream of that - while the Nass is all river-type as far as I know...

Pretty sure South Thompson are also ocean type chinook. A Little far away from the tideline tho. They experienced great returns this year.

 

[agentaqua]

Pretty sure South Thompson are also ocean type chinook. A Little far away from the tideline tho. They experienced great returns this year.

Ya - I noticed that too. Thought it was odd. Bit of an outlier wrt salmon life history generalities. Glad they are doing well - but the South Thompson steelhead are not. Got any pet theories why that is?

 

[wildmanyeah]

someone in DFO told me a long time ago that the only way steelhead were going to survive is if they learned to migrate outside of salmon fisheries window. I think that attitude in the department is the reason why they ended up where they are.

Guess the Thompson Steelhead never learned how to do that.

Thompson chinook were down to 2k individual spawners in the early 1980 from over exploitation in sockeye fisheries and bounced back to over 100k in 2015.

 

[dradons]

I would not agree with you on Chinook, especially ocean type whom spend only 3 or so months in FW...and BTW also appear to be fairing remarkably well in recent times as compared to their Stream-Type cousins. Funny too, because the Chum run is the worst on record for a great deal of the rivers on South Coast (a few exceptions). I think the ocean survival mystery is far too complex for generalizations that we (myself included) often like to make. But to blame salmon performance generally on any sitting or otherwise government is unfair....even if I disagree with the Liberals and their approach to implementing the Wild Salmon Policy. Investments into habitat and enhancement to offset human-caused impacts of climate change does in my view appear to be the only reasonable thing we can do to ensure there is a future for salmon. To sit back and take the do nothing approach that the Province used for managing steelhead is a recipe for slowly managing to extinction.

We are where we are and yes, hard to direct any specific blame at the parties as no one or two decisions got us to where we are.

I agree one of the most direct things we can do is habitat restoration in the rivers and estuaries. The open ocean survival is so complicated and we can't really control that at all. We can help the streams and the estuaries though. It can and should be a win/win for sports fishers and other people concerned about the environment.

 

[agentaqua]

Canadian Conservative Party’s fisheries plan more gentle on net-pen aquaculture
https://www.undercurrentnews.com/20...ries-plan-more-gentle-on-net-pen-aquaculture/