Protest/Rally outside Vancouver DFO Office July 6th 12 to 1:30 PM

UkeeDreamin said:
Emphasis on rec fishing/harvesting is NOT going to play well with the general public, who won’t bother reading the details of % incidence of encounter with those stocks in the myriad of locations up and down the coast. However, the rec sector has two “Slam Dunk” issues that we could/should be protested that would have general public support and would lead to better access in the future: 1) the lack of a meaningful recovery plan for these stocks and 2) the ongoing use of gill netting, which is an indiscriminate killer of not just these endangered stocks but also endangered stocks of coho, steelhead and sturgeon.

On the latter issue, no one in DFO, the government, FN or commercial sectors can pretend that gill net harvest is consistent with, or supportive of, conservation. While FSC harvest may be acceptable, depending on return #s, last time I checked it is 2020 and we have known for decades how destructive and non-selective gill net harvest is. There are also no shortage of alternatives: traps, fish wheels, dip net and beach seine to name a few that can be employed with minimal impact on non-harvest spp or individuals (say Chinook over 80cm). If our sector could make progress on this single issue, ie permanent removal of in-river gill netting (by any sector), it would have immediate benefits to escapement of all weakened stocks and thus the future of rec fishery access. There simply is no rationale for the on going use of gill nets in 2020, particularly in mixed-stock fisheries where weak and endangered stocks co-migrate with target stocks!

The first issue is a no-brainer, how can you shut down a sector under the theme of conservation on one hand but on the other have no real recovery plan and thus the destruction of freshwater habitat capacity and mismanagement of water resources continues? Even the uneducated general public can grasp that is a recipe for guaranteeing the loss of these spp and these fisheries.

Anyway, right now I feel the general public’s perception of our sector is that we want to keep killing endangered stocks (I know that’s not our message, but it’s what many are perceiving). Would be so much more powerful if we got behind a gill net ban and recovery plan and emphasized we want strong stocks that support fisheries (rather than ways to keep fishing on weak stocks)!

My two-cents.

Cheers!

Ukee
Click to expand...
I would be a huge supporter of fish wheels on the Fraser for FN selective fishing. If the FN's are truly all about their FSC fishery then this should satisfy those needs. Unfortunately as someone who has spent the last 50 years fishing the Fraser between Mission and Hope I can tell you that there is more motivation to catch salmon for selling whether it be through FSC fisheries or illegal fishing. everyone in my area knows that illegal fish sales by the FN's has been going on for years and that includes Sturgeon. There's plenty of nets on that river at night and other times outside the posted openings. Our government has cut back DFO funding for enforcement so much that the FN' know that there is little or no chance of being caught.
 
I couldn't agree more Ukee, the other issue to push is the devastation of tourism and all the other
rec. fishing support businesses that have seen large declines due to the political, unscientific ban
of Chinook hatchery retention.
 
wildmanyeah said:
We hunt we fish we vote!
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I really don't think voting will change anything unfortunately. Not that I'm a fan of the current government. The real issues that are at play won't be discussed publicly.

Great job by all the speakers today. I think the new message of a REAL PLAN from DFO can get legs. Keep pushing for clipping fish. To be honest though I thought the turnout was kind of weak. Felt like there were more guys last year. We need more support! You don't need to hold a sign or shout things. Just show up and stand there. Come on guys do your part.
 
We had a head count of 145 people. Thanks to everyone who showed up. We did manage to get or TV networks out. Hope to see some stuff on the news tonight!

This needs to be the first of more action to come. For those who couldn't make it this time make sure you get involved for the next one!
 
Good job gentlemen I sure wish I was closer to the event you can be guaranteed I would have been there. Just want to say a huge, huge thank you from out here in Alberta for your guys efforts, it does not go unnoticed or unappreciated by those of us out here that enjoy the fishery as well.

Thank you and keep up the hard work.
 
cohochinook said:
We had a head count of 145 people. Thanks to everyone who showed up. We did manage to get or TV networks out. Hope to see some stuff on the news tonight!

This needs to be the first of more action to come. For those who couldn't make it this time make sure you get involved for the next one!
Click to expand...
About what I counted as well. With the 40 or so "industry guys" and organizers that's a pretty weak effort from us sporties. There's more guys out on a rainy weekday at the cap mouth in August. Oh well it seems the news will show up for a 12 person protest like in Delta over that cops wife and her hose :rolleyes:.
We looked good for the camera.
 
I was called this aft by Global and asked to give an interview...shot it 30 mins later at Fisherman's wharf in Vict. They said it should be on with the protest story at 6pm. Always interested to see how they edit what was said and what they use. Often very little of the interview.
 
profisher said:
I was called this aft by Global and asked to give an interview...shot it 30 mins later at Fisherman's wharf in Vict. They said it should be on with the protest story at 6pm. Always interested to see how they edit what was said and what they use. Often very little of the interview.
Click to expand...

Chris bos was at the protest in Vancouver and talked for SVIAC. Thanks to him for giving a speech .

It was nice to see multiple angling groups come together
 
The organisation and the speakers today were all very good but the turnout on a sunny, summer’s day was disappointing – less than at the Rally in North Vancouver last year. There were more anglers fishing South Bowen some weekend days a month ago. If you are really wanting change you need to make time to show up and support.
 
Rain City said:
I really don't think voting will change anything unfortunately. Not that I'm a fan of the current government. The real issues that are at play won't be discussed publicly.

Great job by all the speakers today. I think the new message of a REAL PLAN from DFO can get legs. Keep pushing for clipping fish. To be honest though I thought the turnout was kind of weak. Felt like there were more guys last year. We need more support! You don't need to hold a sign or shout things. Just show up and stand there. Come on guys do your part.
Click to expand...

great work today everyone. I hope I can get to the next one.

I agree with RC, the message of DFO accountability and actual recovery plans instead of smoke and mirrors management is a good one. Will hopefully resonate with the non fishing population.
 
Yeh I new Chris made his way to Van for the protest. He knows his stuff on the issues so he usually does well at hitting the mark on message.
 
Well just watched the 6m Global news...only a very short clip with one speaker. Maybe more extensive coverage tonight...otherwise I wasted my time this afternoon.
 
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