Poacher Observers?

[seascene]

A lot has been posted lately about disregard for fishery regs ...particularly from crabbers. Just wondering if sportsmen in other jurisdictions have set up full time paid "observers" to record and report on violators to authorities and could it be done here in BC? There are a lot of us fishing and hunting out there and I am betting a pretty impressive funding could be had for this (or has this already been discussed here)... if so could you send me the thread which I searched and could not find.

 

[Big Green Machine]

Paid observers would work, as long as they are not identified, but training volunteers to help DFO in enforcement like a volunteer fire department is not a good idea. Puts too many people at risk.

 

[jeffywestcoast]

Here is an idea, everyone has two eyes it is all of our jobs to Observe Record and Report poaching violations..i think tryin to designate people to do it is kinda passing the buck.. everyone has a cell phone and a voice.. use it, the resource is all of ours to protect.

 

[fish stalker]

if you are going to volunteer you are going to know the risk of intercepting these assholes. Mabey they could work in a group of no less then 5. Not be aloud to confiscate gear but will take your pic and license plates of new by cars and let people know there being watched.

 

[Big Green Machine]

Here is an idea, everyone has two eyes it is all of our jobs to Observe Record and Report poaching violations..i think tryin to designate people to do it is kinda passing the buck.. everyone has a cell phone and a voice.. use it, the resource is all of ours to protect.

Yes, yes! X2

 

[Big Green Machine]

if you are going to volunteer you are going to know the risk of intercepting these assholes. Mabey they could work in a group of no less then 5. Not be aloud to confiscate gear but will take your pic and license plates of new by cars and let people know there being watched.

We all can take a pic now, record license plates, etc. We can do everything you are suggesting right now.

 

[seascene]

I would say that few would take precious rec hours off to follow reg breakers back to the dock or from out in the bush. Not doubting that many of us would seize the moment so to speak with poaching/possession etc observable at hand. Trained, full time paid (stealth) observers would serve notice by us fishers and hunters that poaching will no longer be without consequence. Actually, getting the money would be easy. Setting this up would require some regulation authority experience. This must have been discussed at some level of organized sports groups in this province.... no?

 

[dfrase]

main question from me would be what happens after you take their pic and call them in.... is there any consequences whatsoever? Do the resources exist to follow up on that or is that just a waste of our time... would be interested to hear from someone who is knowledgeable

 

[seadna]

I would say that few would take precious rec hours off to follow reg breakers back to the dock or from out in the bush. Not doubting that many of us would seize the moment so to speak with poaching/possession etc observable at hand. Trained, full time paid (stealth) observers would serve notice by us fishers and hunters that poaching will no longer be without consequence. Actually, getting the money would be easy. Setting this up would require some regulation authority experience. This must have been discussed at some level of organized sports groups in this province.... no?

It sounds to me like you're talking about game wardens or at least what should be a game warden's job. But with gov't job cuts (in both Canada and the states), regulatory enforcement is down. It's especially bad here in the states where people are happy to complain about the problem but aren't willing to pay the taxes necessary to fix it. Worse yet, the elected officials (who should take responsibility and actually fix things) run around talking about how bad government is and further undermine the system.

 

[Seafever]

Right on SeadNa.....couple of days ago there was a blurb in the local paper where a lady who lives on the beachfront was bitching about the illegal clamdiggers....but if it cost money to patrol the beaches then she wasn't interested.......

 

[Revenge]

I have called a bunch of times about guys fishing in RCA's ! One day the RCMP showed up in the zodiac and all they did was slow down look at all the boats(19) and moved on . Never said a word.
Two weeks later i was there ( pulling my prawn traps) and saw first hand the DFO zodiac drive by 23 boats that were all fishing in a closed area and all they did was stop and talk to one boat and off they went.
Kinda made me think whats the point in calling in.

 

[seascene]

Sad.... about dfo just motoring on past rca fishing. Just wondering how zealous they would be if there was a provision that money obtained from fines would partially go towards their pensions or annual bonus?

 

[Gong Show]

Not sure why you guys are surprised at any of this.

DFO operates on the Peter Principle aptly summed up by, "employees tend to rise to their level of incompetence."
Numerous enforcement officers could be hired for the salary of one senior (mis)manager in Ottawa.
This unfortunately gets lost in the peter principle.

Gong Show

 

[Theb55]

To rephrase that. You are promoted on past successes. When you cease getting promoted you have messed up too much. I wouldn't have most of those cleaning toilet bowls for me.

 

[nicnat]

page 8 in the regulation booklet, observe, record, report. it's been there for years for crying out loud. use it, I have a few times, obviously they don't have the resources to deal with everything. I can't believe some people on here don't know it's already part of the regulations.
cheers nicnat

 

[Gear'n'beer!]

I will personally turn in anyone poaching. Just sayin'. I have my phone with me and I have no probs turning in guys who don't follow the rules. Dudes like island fish lifter keeping sox make us all look bad

 

[profisher]

What bugs me is that the known poachers who just happen to be some of the top rods and guides are still put on a pedestal by other rec fishermen even with their past convictions and continued illegal behavior. Myself from a business perspective I have nothing to do with these individuals anymore and have lost all respect for them. Any trophy fish they catch is not recognized by myself. I'll be cordial in a social situation outside of fishing but have no time for them around the docks or on the water. If others did the same they might start to get it as their ego's would be hurt.

 

[Gear'n'beer!]

You know Rollie, you are a totally above board guide with a lot of respect on here. You work hard to be an ambassador for us all.... Call these dicks out. We as sport fisher people ( for the gals deserve your support. You know these "top rods" why put up with the disrespect of all of us? We follow the rules, why are they exempt?

Gnb

 

[sammyslabber]

talk about ego strokers

 

[Gear'n'beer!]

Not stroking any egos, dude did an awesome job with the derby, just saying call these Dix out