Here is some information and context for the SFBC forum readers to understand about this issue:
Below is the actual motion wording from the Cowichan/Nitnat/Renfrew Sport Fishing Advisory Committee about the Nitnat cutplugging only area that came to the South Coast SFAB meeting this weekend:
Whereas to protect a low entry and low cost traditional fishery in the Nitnat Bar area of area 21 we purpose the following motion.
No person shall angle with a fishing line or downrigger line to which is attached a weight that is greater than 168 grams [6 ounces] or and attracting device that is not affixed directly to hook in Nitnat special management Zone in area 21 from July 15th to September 30 in those waters of Nitnat Bar inside a line between fishing boundary signs located at Nitnat Bar [Flat Rock 48*40.100N &124*51.629W] to [48*39.900N & 124*50.679W] then north to shore and up to a line at Whyac narrows [48*40.260N & 124*51.075W] to [48*40.240N & 124*51.115W]
It should be noted the local committee vote went 26 in favor , 1 against and 2 abstained - motion carried on 16th November.
As reported earlier on this topic this motion was voted down at the South Coast SFAB meeting </u> so it will not go to the Main Board SFAB in January for consideration and will not be given to DFO for consideration either. However, that vote to reject was not unanimous as the 2 local committee reps voted to support their committees motion (as they should have). At the South Coast meeting no one obstained from voting, only two were in favour and something like 24 against this motion. Thus it's dead.
The following provides some context to the decision of the SFAB to reject the motion and what future motions like this may be viewed as.
The South Coast Board heard that there are already far too many regulations (we should be working to reduce them not increase the number) and adding special angling regs of this sort of request should not be considered unless there is a very valid reason to do so.
The motion was presented as an issue of "safety" and a traditional fishery that should be given special treatment. It was noted that safety issues are matters for Transport Canada; DFO would pass them off to Transport Canada for action. When they have done this in relation to other SFAB motions on crab traps being a hazard to navigation Transport Canada have done absolutely nothing anyway.
It was also pointed out that there is no conservation issue </u> related to salmon fishing in that area, hence delving into 'tackle box" solutions to alleviate some anglers concerns about safety and preserving their exclusive right to an area are not justifiable.
Additionally, the existing areas open exclusively to cutplugging on this coast are the Tyee Pool in CR and Rivers Inlet. These are special areas and were only agreed to for their special reasons. In the case of Rivers Inlet someone reminded the members that the area would have been closed to angling by DFO if 'cutplugging only' had not been adopted exclusively. At the time that the Rivers Inlet cutplugging reg came by the SFAB for consideration, they discussed clearly this was not supposed to open the flood gates for many more 'special regs' areas.
My humble opinion is that in any area where there is a conflict emerging over use of that area or some individuals spoiling the fishing opportunities for others, there should be someone champion bringing the groups together to discuss a solution and develop a use protocol. The local SFAC chair could be that champion or someone respected locally in the fishing community who agrees to take it on. We do all have to learn to get along out there in the big wide ocean but where we seek to fish in close proximity to eachother a behaviour protocol may help, especially if it is agreed to by most folks plus posted on local notice boards and available as a paper hand out.
We are as a sector facing some major threats now and in the future to our fisheries from declining salmon abundance, to the government developing no-fishing Marine Protected Areas, to struggling over allocation and access. Let's try to come together as a group and stand shoulder to shoulder rather than bicker amongst ourselves and be divided. My $0.02
Question: Is this explanation to the forum about the motion and the voting outcomes as well as the reasoning helpful?
Gov
God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling - Izaak Walton
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