Skeena Steelhead- a Last Word On How Not to Support Them.

[OldBlackDog]

Skeena Steelhead – A Last Word On How Not To Support Them

Enjoy this final instalment in response to the self interested guide who is on a mission to engage a podcaster from down under as the only way to allow a “broader public” to hear the re…

steelheadvoices.com

 

[OldBlackDog]

Bob Hooton
February 8, 2022 at 9:04 pm
Finally, someone points squarely at the underlying, dominant issue. Thank you for bringing this forward Eric.
Given Sparrow and the 30 yr growth industry it has spawned, imagine the perception of the Skeena First Nations with respect to all those fancy lodges (not all of which have angling guide licenses associated with them) that have sprung up or grown dramatically in that same period. What does anyone suppose the FN view of all those beautiful facilities sprinkled throughout their traditional territory is? How do you think they view quads, jet boats and helicopters transporting anglers to places they never or rarely ever saw them pre-Sparrow? The line about playing with their food is real. It has strong roots in legal decisions on the Cowichan River 3/4 of a century ago. Both federal and provincial governments understand the contemporary FN position and act accordingly, although I seriously doubt any of them (including First Nations) know its origin. That is the reason the Thompson (and all the other Interior Fraser Steelhead producing streams) are closed to angling. Any angling means no restrictions on food, social and ceremonial fisheries which have become a virtual blank cheque post Sparrow. Conservation is supposed to be the primary objective of the federal government. It can’t happen in conservation situations such as IFS unless the Species At Risk Act is imposed to eliminate those FSC fisheries. Pay attention people. Coming soon to a river near you.