SFI-Week at A Glance

[Derby]

Halibut Closure Announced

As we feared, DFO announced last week that it planned to utilize an in-season management measure and close the recreational halibut fishery effective October 18th. The move is troubling for several reasons: First, it violates one of the key principles of the department's ill-conceived 2004 allocation policy which explicitly promised to not use in-season management measures; second it will curtail economic activity on the coast at a time when the federal government is desperately seeking to increase economic activity and employment; third, it will likely reduce the total recreational catch by less than 5,000 pounds; and, fourth, it occurs at a time when Canada still has over 750,000 pounds of TAC in the water.

To paraphrase Monty Python's famous pet shop sketch, the allocation policy isn't dead, its just resting. To say that we are frustrated by this latest development and the department's stubborn refusal to recognize how farcical the policy has become would be an understatement. But we will continue to press our case with the department and work through venues like the Stanyer Process to find a solution that will allow recreational anglers to continue to catch halibut in a measured and predictable way.

Enhancement Programs Questioned

A new study by researchers at Simon Fraser University suggests that salmon enhancement programs are undermining wild salmon stocks. According to fisheries management scientist Randall Peterman, the total number of salmon inhabiting the North Pacific is at an all-time high...nearly double the level from 1950...and are posing distinct new threats to wild stocks. Peterman argues that the hatchery fish compete for food supplies and reduce the food available for wild salmon. As a result, wild stocks are often underweight when they return to their spawning grounds; interbreed and weaken the genetic diversity of wild stocks; and lead to increased fishing pressure which in turn can lead to overfishing of wild stocks.

While most anglers are mindful of the potential negative impacts of enhancement programs, we nonetheless believe that the benefits of well-managed enhancement programs for chinook and coho outweigh the potential risks. We hope that decision makers will consider this new report in that light.


Big Splash and Industry Policy Conference

Just a reminder that the SFI's industry policy conference will be held at the Delta Vancouver Airport
Hotel on December 1st. As always, the conference will be followed by the Big Splash Gala Fundraiser which is always a great opportunity to connect with friends and associates in the sport fishing industry. It's also a great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping at our popular live and silent auctions.

For more information on the conference or the Big Splash, please contact Sheila Connauton at
604-270-3439.


See you next time!


Team SFI,
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

 

[Derby]

Week at a Glance
Inside the hive....
Here is a brief update on some of our recent activities and on the issues we're tracking.



Team SFI







Halibut Closure



As we told you last week, DFO has decided to close the recreational halibut fishery effective October 18th, once again violating DFO's pledge that it would not implement in-season closures under the department's ill-conceived halibut allocation policy. We're frustrated, disappointed and, frankly, infuriated. While it seems futile, we nonetheless wrote to Minister Shea last week to register concerns and put voice to our anger. The text the letter can be found below.







Hon. Gail Shea, PC, MP October 15, 2010

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Parliament Buildings, Wellington Street

Ottawa, ON

K1A 0A6





Dear Minister,



I am writing today to express my profound disappointment with your decision to close the recreational halibut fishery effective October 18th, 2010. The measure is shortsighted and unnecessary and cannot be justified from an allocation policy, conservation, or economic perspective. Simply put, your decision serves as little more than a confirmation of the complete failure of the halibut allocation policy.



When your predecessor Robert Thibault implemented his halibut allocation policy in 2003, in addition to establishing a lopsided allocation of halibut between the commercial and recreational sectors, he explicitly promised that "there will be no closure of the sport fishery in-season". Government has now placed itself in the position of actively discriminating against the recreational sector by honoring one element of a ministerial policy commitment but ignoring other equally important elements.



Similarly, any attempt to portray the move as a conservation measure is undermined by the fact that more than 750,000 pounds of Canada's Total Allowable Catch remains uncaught. Thus in an effort to "save" the estimated 5,000 pounds of halibut the recreational sector would have been expected to catch had the season been allowed to run its course, you will effectively have denied much needed economic opportunities to a number of small business in Coastal BC. I am truly perplexed as to why government seems intent on reducing economic activity at a time when the National economy is struggling to rebound from a recession.



I have actively participated in the Stanyer Process established by your Deputy Minister for the past several months in the hope that Mr. Stanyer will be able to find a way to resolve the inequitable allocation of Pacific halibut. However, my colleagues and I are growing tired and disheartened but what we see as a lack of progress, and more importantly, a lack of political will. The in-season closure of the fishery simply adds to our frustration.



On behalf of the membership of the SFI, I beg you to show leadership, and use your authority under the Fisheries Act to resolve this issue.



Sincerely,






Robert Alcock

President

Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia




In closing, we regret to inform you that our friend Bill Otway passed away this weekend after a long battle with cancer. Bill was a fierce and tireless advocate for recreational anglers. His accomplishments are too many to list here. And while we relished Bill's passionate and often aggressive advocacy work, his considerable efforts to promote sport fishing to generations of younger anglers will truly be missed. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife Carol, his family and friends. His family has requested that instead of flowers, people make donations to the BC Wildlife Federation.





We'll see you next week




The SFI Team,
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

 

[Derby]

Week at a Glance
Inside the hive....
Here is a brief update on some of our recent activities and on the issues we're tracking.




Questionable Closures



Over the past several weeks, DFO staff on Vancouver Island have imposed some questionable closures on tidal salmon angling. In Nanaimo, DFO banned spin casting for pink salmon out of fear that some anglers might deliberately or inadvertently snag fish. The department proposed a similar closure to "protect" San Juan coho, but have since shelved the measures. We object to the measures because we believe that DFO should focus on conserving fish stocks rathan than prescribing fishing techniques.....to paraphrase the late P.E. Trudeau, in our view, government has no business in the tackle boxes of the nation. Below is a copy of our recent correspondence with the department.



Sue Farlinger,

Regional Director General

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

200 - 401 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 3S4

Canada



Dear Ms. Farlinger,



On behalf of the membership of the Sport Fishing Institute of BC, I am writing to voice our concerns over recent tackle-related closures imposed by some of your regional fisheries staff in Nanaimo Harbour and in the entrance to the San Juan River. In both cases your staff have either closed or sought to close the areas to certain types of recreational fishing in order to prevent what your staff viewed as "unethical fishing practices". I am unclear as to the policy basis behind these measures and seek clarification with respect to the department's changing views on the use of certain gear types.



It has long been our understanding that DFO is not in the business of regulating gear types unless their use had a direct and demonstrable negative impact on fisheries conservation. The three specific examples of these regulations are the ban on barbed salmon hooks, the ban on downriggers at the head of Rivers Inlet and the ban on powered trolling in the Tyee Pool. In each of these cases, recreational anglers (through the SFAB) agreed to gear restrictions as necessary conservation measures.



On September 30th, your department banned recreational fishing for pink salmon in Nanaimo Harbour with anything other than fly tackle. Your staff told me that the ban was imposed in order to prevent anglers from snagging fish with other types of gear. The ban is troubling in three respects.



First, it effectively prevents youngsters who lack fly fishing skills from participating in the area's purpose-built net-pen pink salmon fishery. Indeed the fishery was designed specifically as an introductory fishery for novice anglers, and it seems that at least some of your staff believe that eight year old children should only be able to try their first salmon if they have mastered the art of fly-casting.



Second, the ban amounts to an admission by some DFO staff that they are neither willing nor able to conduct enforcement measures in the area to penalize those who might violate the Fisheries Act. Your staff proposed a similar closure on the San Juan River but have since withdrawn the proposal. Banning the use of spin casting gear because a few individuals might snag fish is like banning motorcycles on Highway 99 because a few irresponsible riders might speed.



Finally, the measures amount to a circumvention if the SFAB and a repudiation of the integrated Fisheries Management Planning process. If DFO believes such measures are needed for conservation purposes, then they should be proposed through these channels before the season so that they can be discussed and debated more fully. Implementing these in-season measures suggests that DFO is either unable to engage in its mandated enforcement activity, or that individual staff are using regulations to promote the interests of specific gear types. In either case, the pattern is both troubling and unacceptable to the recreational sector.



I urge you to review these recent measures and provide us with some explanation of how your department believes that such measures are justified for conservation purposes.



Yours truly,

Robert Alcock

President

Sport Fishing Institute of BC




2010 Conference & Big Splash


Just a brief reminder that the Sport Fishing Institute of BC is pleased to be hosting their annual Big Splash Fundraiser at the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel on December 1, 2010. We would like to ask for your support for the annual "Big Splash" fundraiser for the Sport Fishing Institute, in the form of a donated auction item. With your continued support, the Sport Fishing Institute can keep up the good fight on behalf of the sport fishing industry and all those industry representative, like yourselves, who depend on a healthy sport fishery for the continued success of their business.



On-line Registration for both the Conference and Big Splash is now available. For more information please visit the SFI website at: www.sportfishing.bc.ca



We thank you for your generous support and look forward to seeing you at the SFI Conference and Big Splash Fundraiser!




See you next week!


The SFI Team,
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

 

[Derby]

Sport Fishing Institute of
British Columbia

2010 CONFERENCE & BIG SPLASH UPDATE


HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DEADLINE



A friendly reminder that November 19th is the last day that the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel will be offering the special room rates to those guests attending the 2010 Policy Conference and Big Splash Fundraiser.


To take advantage of these special rates, please visit the DVA's website at:
http://www.deltavancouverairport.com/1011bigs



ON-LINE REGISTRATION



On line Registration for both the Conference & Big Splash is up and running. Deadline for registration is November 29th and prices will be increasing effective November 25th. To register for these events please go to: www.sportfishing.bc.ca and click on the link provided.


DONATIONS

In support of the annual Big Splash fundraiser for the Sport Fishing Institute of BC, we are kindly asking for donations to help with the Silent and Live Auctions.

Donated items can be sent to the SFI Office:
8014 Webster Road, Delta, BC V4G 1G6
Contact: Sheila Connauton or Alison Obrecht
Phone: 604-270-3439
OR
Berry's Bait & Tackle
14651 Westminster Hwy. Richmond, BC V3V 1A4
Contact: Michele Dusterhoft
Phone: 604-270-3097


We thank you for your generous support and look forward to seeing you at the SFI Conference and Big Splash Fundraiser on December 1, 2010.

 

[Derby]

Sport Fishing Institute of
British Columbia


2010 Policy Conference and
Big Splash


LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER AT EARLY BIRD PRICES!


Just a friendly reminder that there are only two more days before both the Policy Conference and Big Splash registration prices go up.


To take advantage of these low prices before they increase on November 25th, please go to: www.sportfishing.bc.ca

POLICY CONFERENCE UPDATE

Our agenda for the day is coming together. Some of the issues that will be covered include: The Fraser River Fishery, Update on the 2011 Salmon Outlook, and of course the growing problem with Halibut. These are important issues that affect everyone on the coast and we look forward to seeing you at the conference.


SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE!

We are pleased to announce that "The King" Richard Brodeur will be attending the Big Splash and will conduct a special live auction.

 

[Derby]

Sport Fishing Institute of
British Columbia

Imortant Halibut Message!




Hello:

As you all know the recreational sector's access to Pacific Coast Halibut
been shut down twice in the last three years. If held to the current 88/12
allocation in 2011, we face an even shorter season.

The Sport Fishing Institute, British Columbia Wildlife Federation and the
Southern Vancouver Island Anglers Association have formed an alliance and
we are on a mission to right the imbalance and unfair allocation of Canada's
share of halibut.

I urge you to visit www.sfibc.com and learn more about this injustice that
has 436 select people getting 88% of Canada's Natural Resource and
profiting all while extracting economic value from B.C. Furthermore I can't express
how important it is that you get involved and join the effort. It is vital!!

Please pass this website on to all your friends, family and customers. Ask
them to take a few minutes to read the documents. You don't have to be a
fisherman to realize that this is just not right. As a tax payer you will
be appalled.

You have to act. You have to write letters.
This is not the hill that we will choose to die on!

www.sfibc.com

Please ensure that copies of all letters are sent to the SFI as well. We
need to track our pressure.

Yours in Unity...

Rob Alcock
President - SFI






We will be regularly updating the www.sfibc.com website with up to the minute information on Halibut! Please come back to visit often to keep apprised of any changes on this important issue!


The SFI Team,
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia


If you have time to contribute by volunterring on one of our very active and engaging committees, please let us know! We welcome your help and support!

 

[Derby]

Sport Fishing Institute of

British Columbia
Halibut Update - We Need Action Now!

Rob Alcock just returned from what appears to be the last meeting of the Halibut Allocation Transfer Committee. The ball is back in the Governments court. Rob has no confidence that the outcome of the process will favour the Recreational Sector. He will be providing a written report early next week. It has become even more apparent that this issue will be resolved with Political Will.
Please read below to see the actions that you can take to prevent our natural resources from privatization! Please contact the SFI Office if you require any further information.




What you can do to help:

1) Write a letter!
Have you written your letter to your local MP and to Minister Shea yet? If so, please forward it to SFI so that we can keep track of how many letters are being sent in.
If you haven't yet written a letter, please take the 5 minutes to do so. There is a template, addresses and sample letters at www.sfibc.com

2) Vote on the www.sfibc.com Poll!
Please take 2 minutes and visit www.sfibc.com and vote on the John Duncan poll that asks if he should step in to help!

3) Letters to the Editor
Consider sending your letter to your local newspaper as a "Letter to the Editor."


We urge you to take the time to voice your opposition to these measures. Please don't hesitate to contact the SFI Office if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions!

With thanks,
The SFI Team,
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia