Halibut Wars and Town Councils

IronNoggin

Well-Known Member
Gentlemen, a Thought...

Osama starting this off by approaching the Bamfield Town Council to let them know the issues, and just what is at stake for their Community should the situation we are in today not change. Fishing Guide then followed up on the same idea by approaching Nanaimo's Mayor with the same thought.

Given that the many people that come specifically to fish into most Coastal Communities almost always end up spending some serious coin (lodgings, fish processing, restaurants, pubs, fuel and more) they directly contribute to the economic well-being of each. The loss of that their input will greatly and negatively effect each Community's Balance Sheet, and unless corrected, has the potential for very long-lasting effects of the same.

I would suggest that any significant loss of income to the vast majority of these Communities should be of great concern to their governing bodies. And I suspect that most Town Councils would feel exactly the same were they to be enlightened to the issue we are attempting to directly deal with ourselves.

So, I am wondering if we are all on the same page in this understanding, would it not be very much worth our while to contact each and every one of the effected Town Councils to ensure they understand the issue, and what exactly is at stake?

If this makes sense to you, and you are willing to tackle such an undertaking in your home port, a show of hands might well get us started in that direction. I am of course willing to help with wording of letters and whatever else this might entail.

It would seem to me that individually our letters can make something of an impact. However I also believe that were these to be backed by a series of the same, expressing the concern from Town Council levels, that impact might be significantly magnified.

I am uncertain if the SFI has considered this option, or has an action plan to address the same. Any that could enlighten would be most appreciated!

Wondering,
Matt

PS: With this thought in mind I have already sent Emails to the Mayors and Town Council's of Ucluelet and Tofino encouraging them to attend tonight's meeting In Ucluelet. Will letcha know if there is a response...
 
I have already received an answer from one of the Tofino Councilmen:

"Hello Matt,
I also definitely received your e-mail at my job at the Chamber and sent it out to our membership.

I am definitely concerned for your industry and the impact this may have. Unfortunately, due to the short notice of this event, there is no way I can attend due to previous family commitments. Could you possibly keep me informed as to what we can do as council and citizens to support you through this challenging time.
Yours Truly,

Gord Johns
"

Methinks there may well be some merit to running with this one!
Anyone from SFI that can help with his last request would be very much welcomed!!

Cheers,
Nog
 
By all means get the municipal councils involved and hopefully they can be informed to the point
of writing a letter to the Minister of Fisheries, Gail Shea, in support of our position. In the Victoria
area efforts are underway to approach the individual municipalities through their representation on
the Capital Regional District. We should also be contacting MLA's, MP's and regional districts who
are likely to be negatively impacted by the possibility of a shortened recreational halibut season.
 
Nice Talking to you- I have send a couple e-mails and will digg the info up. :)

If anyone is looking for more info please go to the website www.sfibc.com
Look under Act now tool kiT & Learn what you can do
If you have any question PM me
Thanks Deryk
 
I just got back from the Ukee meeting. Pathetic showing with only 63 people attending with only 5 people from Tofino that are in the charter business - about the same # of commercial fishers. No punches thrown but i hope the other meetings are better attended. Martin Paish did a great job and deserves all the kudos he receives.
 
I just got back from the Ukee meeting. Pathetic showing with only 63 people attending with only 5 people from Tofino that are in the charter business - about the same # of commercial fishers. No punches thrown but i hope the other meetings are better attended. Martin Paish did a great job and deserves all the kudos he receives.

Agreed, Poor Turnout of Tofino guides and others. Martin did an excellent job to not only present the situation in detail, why it does not work for recreational Halibut anglers, but also to help ensure the numerous Commercial Fishermen present that we respect the ACTIVE Commercial Halibut Fisherman, and the problem is the allocation, and what it has done to create the platform for the NON ACTIVE quota owners.
See you in Campbell River.
 
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