How do you feel about the future?

[Mike Mitchell]

Hello Guys

Its been a while since I have been on the site and after browsing for a while, I believe that this is one of the most passionate forums around and it seems there are quite a few knowledgeable people as well
a couple things I wanted to get your option on

#1 Who do you feel about the future of salmon fishing in our province (I know it is a broad question)
#2 what do you feel we as anglers can do to ensure that there is future fisheries


I am always looking for new writers and cover images especially if they are gear related articles and saltwater related
Mike Mitchell
BC Outdoors Sport Fishing

 

[chris73]

Hey Mike. I know that you said in your latest editorial that you would like to stay out of the politics and just focus on the fishing. Quite frankly, Mike, if we all acted like that there would not be much to focus on for you very soon. Our BC sportfishery is seriously threatened by a government that does not recognize the value of sportfishing to this province and this country and in times of cost cutting within government rather transfers management and responsibilities for fisheries to less numerous and diverse stakeholders. And unfortunately those stakeholders do not have the public intetest in mind but rather their own profits only.
Unfortunately, the sportfishing community is unorganized and often complacent and therefore an easy target to be stripped of all rights and access to a public resource. With influential positions such as you withdrawing from the fight for our passion and lifestyle certainly makes it that much harder to get our messages out loud and properly. Think about that, Mike. Many of us would rather be fishing in peace than fighting with politicians and stakeholders for our cause but someone needs to bear the flag.
I truly believe that if we don't wake up very soon and stand up for what we believe is ours then we won't recognize our BC fishery anymore soon.
And since sportfishermen are the backbone of restoration and enhancement projects, I see our salmon and steelhead stock looking into a bleak future as well.
I do not want see all gloom and doom but we are certainly at an important junction: do something or be done.

 

[chris73]

Hey Mike. I know that you said in your latest editorial that you would like to stay out of the politics and just focus on the fishing. Quite frankly, Mike, if we all acted like that there would not be much to focus on for you very soon. Our BC sportfishery is seriously threatened by a government that does not recognize the value of sportfishing to this province and this country and in times of cost cutting within government rather transfers management and responsibilities for fisheries to less numerous and diverse stakeholders. And unfortunately those stakeholders do not have the public intetest in mind but rather their own profits only.
Unfortunately, the sportfishing community is unorganized and often complacent and therefore an easy target to be stripped of all rights and access to a public resource. With influential positions such as you withdrawing from the fight for our passion and lifestyle certainly makes it that much harder to get our messages out loud and properly. Think about that, Mike. Many of us would rather be fishing in peace than fighting with politicians and stakeholders for our cause but someone needs to bear the flag.
I truly believe that if we don't wake up very soon and stand up for what we believe is ours then we won't recognize our BC fishery anymore soon.
And since sportfishermen are the backbone of restoration and enhancement projects, I see our salmon and steelhead stock looking into a bleak future as well.
I do not want see all gloom and doom but we are certainly at an important junction: do something or be done.

 

[reelfast]

the basic problem the rec angling community faces is a lack of focus and organization. the commercial sector is clearly focused and knows exactly what it wants from the resource, big dollars.

that translates to very large dollars being spent to down play the extent of the damage being done to the resources by overharvest. its quite an easy excersize in PR to cast doubt on the rec anglers painting them in the corner of rapists while all along the vast majority of fish at sea are caught for a profit. it is this PR problem that should be addressed with thoughtful writing, correct numbers and an aggressive attitude to setting the record straight as to where the province makes the big bucks, that would be rec angling and tourism from folks like me coming north to fish.

mike, i won't be doing that this year, i won't be purchasing a nonresident license, i won't be staying at hotels/motels, i won't be eating at van isle restaurants, i won't be purchasing fuel for truck or boat, i won't be coming north at all. what i read is happenning is all about big business, aquaculture, commercial fishing and gas and oil destroying your province and all it HAD to offer. the word is spreading down this way and folks are, and will continue, to change their travel plans looking further north or for many of us further south. british columbia is now taking on the role of destroyer of our environment on any number of fronts and i will not be supporting that with my dollars.

you have a big job in front of you mike to start setting the record straight and calling out those whose only focus is taking what they can as fast as they can to make as much money as they can while it lasts. good luck.........................

 

[Seafever]

Why do politicians and corporations do what they do? Because we let them.

 

[Foxsea]

Welcome, Mike!

Hello Guys

I believe that this is one of the most passionate forums around and it seems there are quite a few knowledgeable people as well.

There is a great deal of enthusiasm here, for sure. Some of it is expressed as frustration at the current conditions, some of it is hopeful that we will find a way forward. All of us are dedicated to the future of our fishery but it's going to take a monumental effort to help it recover.

#1 Who do you feel about the future of salmon fishing in our province (I know it is a broad question)

If you read throught he thread "What can we do to save our salmon" you'll get a pretty good idea of the feeling here. The entire coastal fishery is threatened. Why: poor management; too many competing stakeholders; the tragedy of the commons unfolding in technicolor; lip service from politicians around conservation and enhancement; unbridled greed;... and the list goes on.

#2 what do you feel we as anglers can do to ensure that there is future fisheries

Many of us feel that we need organization, coordination and a single focus. Some of us feel that transitioning from open net pens to closed containment will address the biggest threats to our salmon: viruses and parasitic attack. We have followed and engaged with Dr. Alexandra Morton on the research information that has been developed by her and other professional biologists. The results are unequivocal to all but the management of the fish feedlots - they are contributing to the collapse of wild salmon stocks.

I am always looking for new writers and cover images especially if they are gear related articles and saltwater related

We would all like to return to the halcyon days of abundance. Gear related discussion is still found here and we all enjoy that diversion. However, if we would like to see opportunities for our grandkids, we may need to reset the norm for what sport fishing is: fewer fish taken, allocated more equitably and a primary and sincere focus on conservation and enhancement. Perhaps then the halcyon days will return with the salmon.

 

[Englishman]

Mike,
On the on hand, one might sympathise with a position of “don’t get involved in politics”. Politics is a dreadful business, as it deals with perception and not reality, and especially tries to ignore the reality as described by science and the law.
On the other hand, taking that position is a “head in the sand” stance.

Right now there is perfect storm brewing in the ocean recreational fishing arena and it cannot be ignored.

1. The halibut allocation issue, whereby 400 commercial licence holders have been gifted in perpetuity, access right to a common resource. This violates English common law precedents that go back to the Magna Carta. The DFO is then promoting the idea that we recreational fishers should buy the right to fish from these privileged commercial licence holders!!
2. The salmon feed lots are undoubtedly killing the wild salmon. The evidence is huge and mounting, and much came out at Cohen Commission and in the special late session the justice Cohen called. The recent virus infestation being revealed by Dr. Alexandra Morton is even more devastating evidence. http://alexandramorton.typepad.com/Briefing – three viruses.pdf These feed lots must come out of the ocean and off the migration routes or there will be no salmon for anyone.
3. Then there is the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline proposal. This pipeline is going to rip through 1000 kms of BC wilderness and “cross” more than 700 streams and rivers. The impacts of a major rupture in the wilderness on a tributary of a significant salmon bearing river like the Skeena are going to be incalculable. Enbridge has a terrible record; just look at what happened with the Kalmazoo river in the U.S!! If that were not enough, 250 tankers per year going through Douglas Channel and the Queen Charlotte strait places an enormous risk on all coastal B.C. ocean life and everything and everyone that depends on it. A tanker wreck is inevitable eventually in those waters. It is just a matter of time.

I believe the future looks bleak and we need everyone in the recreational sector to pull together to fight these problems, including a magazine with the reach and influence of BC Outdoors!!

 

[profisher]

The bleak future has already arrived on southern Vancouver Island and is slowly but steadily moving northward. I'm now at a point when I'm seriously contemplating my continued existence as a salt water guide. To be honest I'm mentally preparing myself for the soon to be day when I hang it up. To help me deal with the anger I feel towards DFO (and government in general) I'm dedicated to becoming more involved in the fight to save salmon on our coast. That is what I believe will help save salmon more than anything else. A genuine interest by sport fishers to save salmon and putting that ahead of their desire to go out and catch them. I see BC outdoors having the ability to reach the sport fishing community and could play an important role in changing our sectors attitudes and priorities. However I'm not sure your corporate advertisers would continue to support your magazine if you started promoting such ideas.

 

[saveoursalmon]

Hello Guys

Its been a while since I have been on the site and after browsing for a while, I believe that this is one of the most passionate forums around and it seems there are quite a few knowledgeable people as well
a couple things I wanted to get your option on

#1 Who do you feel about the future of salmon fishing in our province (I know it is a broad question)
#2 what do you feel we as anglers can do to ensure that there is future fisheries


I am always looking for new writers and cover images especially if they are gear related articles and saltwater related
Mike Mitchell
BC Outdoors Sport Fishing

Hi Mike glad your back but like others I wonder about some of your advertisers.

The link below has been posted before but never generated much discussion. In my opinion BC is now in the same position Alaska was 60+ years ago and only the same sort of drastic action will save us.
All levity aside, in my opinion the only hope for BC Salmon is for the USA to take us over because our politicians are so corrupt and it would take a revolution to change anything.
And of course they would get rid of all those open net fish farms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_salmon_fishery

 

[Lipripper]

Heya Mike...

Fishaholic on your board.

I would like to sell some pics to ya. Swamp Donkey can call me on the facebook. Lets chat.

 

[Mike Mitchell]

great feed back

Hey Guys Thanks for the welcome back

I guess what I mean by not getting involved in the politics is I am not up on all the current agendas, mostly due to my hectic schedule ( parenting and job) . I don't think I am burring my head in the sand but rather than state my view for fear I may be wrong I choose to stay silent and let people in the industry place their views I.E (SFI, FFF,FFSBC,PSF and so on)
I realize since we lost Mr Otway our weighing in section has become less political and I am hoping that in the near future we will address this, but we need more people to step up and submit articles and the best part you ven get a little cash if we run your piece .

now here is where I step up on the soap box .
As far as the government goes i dis agree with the way the fisheries minister position is set up. The way It should be is we on the west coast should have a fisheries minister all to our selves one who will be able to spend 100% of his or her time dealing with our issues . There should also be one on the east coast to deal with the issues there as well. I think it is ridiculous that someone from the east coast , is in charge of what is going on out here if your are not directly involved with this fishery how can you expect to govern it ?


I am a passionate Saltwater angler I have three kids under the age of 10 and I am scared as well that they wont be able to enjoy the same fisheries we have now ,I get it Trust me I Do

This just came across my email as I was writing this

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/npress-communique/2012/hq-ac12-eng.htm

 

[Foxsea]

I am a passionate Saltwater angler I have three kids under the age of 10 and I am scared as well that they wont be able to enjoy the same fisheries we have now ,I get it Trust me I Do

This just came across my email as I was writing this
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/npress-communique/2012/hq-ac12-eng.htm

Agreed: a Minister from this coast would be helpful if s/he had any clout in the tyrannical Harper government.

"...the Harper government will introduce changes to protect the productivity of recreational, commercial and Aboriginal fisheries. This means focusing protection rules on real and significant threats to these fisheries and the habitat that supports them."

So now we debate the obvious? Fish feedlots are a real and significant threat to the wild fishery but DFO and the cadre of Harper and industry yes-men will continue to lie and deny, casting doubt on the compelling science that has unequivocally proven them to be so.

 

[Englishman]

You have hit the nail on the head Foxsea. So long as the politicians get to decide what is "a real and significant threat", instead of science, we are in trouble with our wild salmon. This goes double for this Harper government!

 

[Gunsmith]

Hello Mike, I used to be a regular subscriber to your publication and I loved Mr Otway's section and waited avidly for each monthly to arrive. Since his passing I have lost interest in your publication and find it lacks in salt water input. I do not subscribe to it anymore and have not seen much of interest to me. I am not saying your publication is bad, it just does not have what I am looking for as it is now. I find that publications that cater to sportsfishers should be more upfront and vocal about issues that threaten sportsfishing. Personally I would really like to see a voice that reaches more ears to say what the sportsfishers feel threatened about.
I do not like to bring out negative but I think you should be aware of my feelings.

Hey Guys Thanks for the welcome back

I guess what I mean by not getting involved in the politics is I am not up on all the current agendas, mostly due to my hectic schedule ( parenting and job) . I don't think I am burring my head in the sand but rather than state my view for fear I may be wrong I choose to stay silent and let people in the industry place their views I.E (SFI, FFF,FFSBC,PSF and so on)
I realize since we lost Mr Otway our weighing in section has become less political and I am hoping that in the near future we will address this, but we need more people to step up and submit articles and the best part you ven get a little cash if we run your piece .

now here is where I step up on the soap box .
As far as the government goes i dis agree with the way the fisheries minister position is set up. The way It should be is we on the west coast should have a fisheries minister all to our selves one who will be able to spend 100% of his or her time dealing with our issues . There should also be one on the east coast to deal with the issues there as well. I think it is ridiculous that someone from the east coast , is in charge of what is going on out here if your are not directly involved with this fishery how can you expect to govern it ?


I am a passionate Saltwater angler I have three kids under the age of 10 and I am scared as well that they wont be able to enjoy the same fisheries we have now ,I get it Trust me I Do

This just came across my email as I was writing this

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/npress-communique/2012/hq-ac12-eng.htm

 

[spring time]

I guess what I mean by not getting involved in the politics is I am not up on all the current agendas, mostly due to my hectic schedule ( parenting and job)

if you don't get involved then you won't have a job. who isn't busy these days. gunsmith is right I find that publications that cater to sportsfishers should be more upfront and vocal about issues that threaten sportsfishing.

 

[Charter Tofino]

The problem with fishing politics is that both sides are normally quite biased and bend the truth to their favour. It's a pain to always sift through the garbage to find the truth that lies somewhere in between. I rarely dabble in fisheries politics for this reason and frankly don't want to read articles that are written in this manner. If an article is well written, gives all of the facts and lets the reader form their own opinion then that might be more reasonable. That said politics will make or break our fisheries but I still feel a more realistic approach needs to be taken.

Ps Mike I have a few questions for you. I hope you don't mind me sending a pm or email.

 

[profisher]

I agree Kelly...the government puts out enough BS for all of us, lets not add more ourselves. Keep it reel, put the fish first and stay on the right side of all issues so when the cards fall we walk away with heads held high and someone else has some "splaining" to do.

 

[Gunsmith]

The issue on the table is Pacific Wild Salmon and it will not go away until we have lost them all.

 

[Evenweight]

How do I feel about the future?

Threatened, like many on this board my bread and butter is this industry and has been for over 20 years. In my opinion as with many others politicians have no right to make decisions that scientists have answers to. In this political climate in Canada where scientists that we as citizens are muzzled and the loudest wallet wins the only losers will be the quiet majority and the resources affected.

Continual exposure or questioning in loud and public ways is seemingly the only effective way of making any headway with the current regime. This is what our late friend Mr. Otway excelled in he had the past logged away in his brain and could point out the twists and turns in past policy and how it was being manipulated to govern today. Alas he is gone and so is his magnificent mind.

Another problem I see is literacy of governing policy and a full background of the issues. Very often I hear or read someone going off half-cocked in regards to one issue or another often unknowingly supporting the very people who are lobbying hard against the sport fishery. Perhaps articles that are well timed that would help educate the public as to what the back ground is and where we are now would help sharpen some arguments in the future. For instance catch accounting the salmon head recovery program. This is a very important statistical resource for managing the fishery. The less sporties participate the more cautious the management regime will be.
There are other topics such as Halibut bio mass, herring migration and harvest, harbour seal population, Lack of enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to the DFO and several department of the provincial government that have lethally effected the Juan de Fuca Chinook fishery (see Coldwater, Spius and Nicola rivers).
Mike you hold a very unique, very public, and powerful position as a as to what information can get out to the general fishing public. I believe that it is you and wisely you advertisers that need to get the word out that these issues are very important to every citizen of BC and Canada. In the form that you produce and forum that you reach. Your articles can be vetted for accuracy by some of the best minds around outside of the DFO to make sure your message is correct and timely. Other media outlets are constantly being led astray and never getting the whole message out or move to an obvious lean to the oppositions message. You have an opportunity to publish a clean concise fact based account of the facts positive or negative to the sport fishery that will help form poicy in the future.

In short get you head in it or slowly we all loose our jobs and our beloved past times.


Richard

 

[Sculpin]

nice post evenweight......i also agree that the magazine can be used partly as a tool in order to help force change in political policy and deffinately be a tool to educate the public and influence public perception in the proper manner...there are magazines out there that accepted the money to advertise for the stupid leasing of hali quota, i will never touch one of those magazines ever again and when i do see them, they go straight into the garbage, not everything has to be about making money, some ppl have no principles , ethis or morals, that's fine, but i wont be a part or associate with them.....holmes*

Why don't you post up those magazine's titles that you threw out holmes?