-fisheries-officer-sounds-alarm-over-lack-of-dfo-enforcement

[Derby]

Subject: ‘It’s disgusting, it’s inexcusable’; former fisheries officer sounds alarm over lack of DFO enforcement | CFJC Today Kamloops





https://cfjctoday.com/2024/11/04/it...er-sounds-alarm-over-lack-of-dfo-enforcement/

 

[Whole in the Water]

So very true - so very sad! Good for this guy speaking up for the truth of what is going on here!

Bottom line IMO is that DFO does not care about this issue as their political master's don't care. Has been going on for decades and the Libs and Cons have both proven in the past that all they care about is cutting costs. Sadly no political party is going to clamp down on this as politically it is more trouble than it is worth. Why would they want to risk angering the groups responsible for this poaching and harm your public perception when they can continually cut back on the recreational fishing sector until we are completely forced off the water!! If that doesn't work then they just blame it on climate change, landslides, poor ocean survival, pollution, gravel removal, low water supply, habitant destruction and foreign fishing fleets, etc...

The only thing that I can think of that will change this is a well organized, well funded multi-media public education and communications plan that shames the govt. into action. Time for the public fishery sector to unite on this issue and push for change!

 

[wildmanyeah]

enforcement is stronger under the cons, especially when dealing with the natives. environmental enforcement tho was cut under the cons.

More fishery officers is not gonna solve the problem in that area. There is one group that's been having a protest fishery harvesting over 10k sockeye for a few years now. Some on here have argued before that its not an issue and probably consitiutally protected.

it's also a drop in the bucket compared to what is being poached below boston bar.

 

[Whole in the Water]

I agree the lower Fraser river poaching is totally out of control! IMO the Cons. will only up enforcement action if they somehow benefit politically - so we in the public fishery sector need to make it more of a political priority for them!

 

[wildmanyeah]

The current mandate of Lower Fraser Fisheries officers is focused not on salmon fisheries, but rather on public health and the increasing poaching of bottom fish and shellfish. Direction and resources comes from the top.

 

[wildmanyeah]

Liberals are also incharge if the justice system and laws. If crown console is not willing to press charges why would anything change.

Anyone can go to the fraser sfac meetings they are posted here https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/consultation/smon/sfab-ccps/local-locales-eng.html and are vertiual. Might give some a better understanding of things, saying no matter who is leading the country does not matter nothing changes is cope IMO

 

[Whole in the Water]

Well, if the Cons get into power again (can't imagine they won't) I will be the first to congratulate them IF they reduce salmon poaching in the lower Fraser. I sure as hell hope they do as something desperately needs to be done before it is too late!

Unfortunately, Harper didn't do much but cut costs & water down habitat protection to benefit big business - so I will wait and see... Past lack of performance with politicians in this area has made me a glass half full kinda guy.

But this aside, the public fishery needs to unite to fight hard to make needed changes - in this I put my future hope in - not politicians ever changing, ephemeral good will. My 2 bits.

 

[wildmanyeah]

not politicians ever changing

who makes the policy

 

[wildmanyeah]

we know the play book, under the liberals, will see continued loss of recreational fishery access, more pie will be given to first nations, They will look the other way to illegal salmon fisheries, tell crown counsel not to press charges etc...

personally don't think lobbying the liberals has made much of a difference for the rec fishery, despite great returns in many areas they have remained closed for what DFO staff at meetings has said is political reason and also that's what out rec leaders has said as well. There is no indication that increased returns will lead to Ottawa policy changing under the liberals.

 

[Whole in the Water]

Policy is made by the members of cabinet of the party in power via input from the senior public servants that work for them. Not sure what your point is?

I agree the Libs have NOT helped the Public Fishery (PF) in any way. I will try to remain hopeful that the Cons under Poilievre will help us out, but I still think the PF sector will need to keep the pressure on them to make much positive change. That's just how it works - the squeaky wheel gets the limited amount of grease there is.

Anyway I'm not interested in debating the pros and cons of our political parties - I think I have made my point. Peace out.

 

[wildmanyeah]

my point is when we go to Ottawa and ENGO's to Ottawa, Liberals listen to the ENGO's they don't listen to us.

SRKW, Mark Selective Fisheries ect...