Showing posts with label Announcements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Announcements. Show all posts

Thursday, March 01, 2012

New Website LIVE

Big News: Our new website is LIVE and ready to go.
It can be found here at: www.steelheadalliance.com












The new site has a built in Blog with all the old posts etc migrated over to it. We will no longer be using this blog, but will keep it alive for several months during a transition period. Please use the new site Blog for comments etc. Comments can also be made on our new Facebook page NCSA Facebook page
We are still tinkering with final details on the new site so please bear wth us as we work out any kinks.
Hope you all like the new site and find it useful in our fight for steelhead.
Look out DFO here we come reloaded and reinvigorated!

Read More...

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Conservation Groups Conditional Support of BC Pink Fishery Certification
















Heres a News Release from several conservation groups regarding the Certification of the BC Pink Fishery.


Conservation groups offer conditional support for MSC certification of B.C. pink salmon fisheries
Industry and government must improve monitoring and protection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 28, 2011

VANCOUVER – Four B..C. conservation groups want assurance that 44 conditions will be met before offering full support for the Marine Stewardship Council’s eco-certification of all major pink salmon fisheries in British Columbia. Watershed Watch, SkeenaWild, Raincoast Conservation Foundation and the David Suzuki Foundation support the conditional certification but say their support depends on the improvements, or conditions, being implemented within the time frames required by the certification.

The international Marine Stewardship Council is announcing its certification of the B.C. pink salmon fisheries this week. The announcement comes after lengthy efforts by conservation groups, industry and government to agree on improvements that will lead to sustainable fishing of pink salmon. These improvements are designed to bring the fishery into compliance with MSC’s criteria within five years.

“Getting to this stage has required extensive investment of time and money by industry, government and our organizations,” said Aaron Hill of Watershed Watch. “The willingness industry has shown to address problems within the fishery has been an important factor in our support.”

Improvements necessary for the pink fishery lie in three general areas.

“First, oversight of fishing practices by independent third parties has been insufficient, said Greg Knox of SkeenaWild.. “This allows substantial numbers of other species, including endangered populations of chum, sockeye and steelhead salmon, to be discarded by fishers targeting pink salmon. Second, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s failure to implement its Wild Salmon Policy means that sustainable fishing levels for salmon have not been defined. Finally, the impacts of fisheries on marine and terrestrial wildlife and habitat have not been fully considered.”

A clear example of outstanding problems was revealed in a fishery that was opened along the North Coast of B.C. last week. In one 16-hour opening, more than 21,000 chum salmon were discarded in a fishery targeting pink salmon. Many North Coast chum stocks are depressed and a lack of monitoring means we don’t know how badly these fisheries may be harming at-risk salmon.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and industry have acknowledged these required improvements and have agreed to address them. Their progress will be monitored in annual audits of the certification that conservation groups will participate in. Failure to make progress may lead to the fishery losing its MSC certification. Industry and conservation groups, along with the government officials responsible for meeting the conditions of certification, are concerned that anticipated budget cuts to Fisheries and Oceans Canada may put the certification at risk.

“This is the start of the process, not the end,” concluded Jeffery Young of the David Suzuki Foundation. “This certification highlights a number of problems with this fishery that must be addressed. It’s now up to the federal government to provide the resources necessary to improve this fishery and maintain certification."









For more information contact:



Aaron Hill, Ecologist, Watershed Watch Salmon Society (250) 818-0054

Greg Knox, Executive Director, SkeenaWild, (250) 638-0998

Jeffery Young, Biologist, David Suzuki Foundation, (604) 764-6142

Misty MacDuffee, Biologist, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, (250) 818-2136

















Read More...

Thursday, June 02, 2011

General Update

 Well, it is that time of year again...the rivers are in full freshet...and the plans for commercial fishing are being drafted as we speak. Here at the NCSA's Skeena Fisheries Blog we are gearing up for another close examination of DFO and their management of the commercial salmon fishing season.

Look for upcoming posts on; critiques of the Draft 2011 IFMP (Fisheries Plans); updates on salmon return forecasts and how much commercial fishing effort we can expect; updates on the Skeena Watershed Initiative; updates on our steelhead advocacy efforts with the Province; updates on the Moricetown Tagging program on the Bulkley river; updates on the MSC process and BC Sockeye Certification....and whatever other issues pop up along the way.

Hopefully, we can get Northern Rivers Conservation trust to allow us to link up with their Tyee Test Fishery google gadget again this year. This tool provides alot of useful information about the Tyee numbers in an easy to digest graphic format.

If readers have any specific requests for issues or items for us to examine, please feel free to send them along.

Read More...

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Slight Pause

Weve been away for a couple of days, but will now resume posts.
The Skeena sockeye fishery is still closed and unlkely to open, but not formally announced as closed for the season.
The fishery for pink salmon has begun in both Area 3 and 4 for seiners. The Skeena rivermouth area is being kept closed presumably to reduce sockeye bycatch.
We'll also update the Tyee cumulative graph.
We'll also take a look at why sportfishing for Skeena sockeye is still open while the run is below escapement, something that is frustrating various First Nations groups along the Skeena.

Read More...

Monday, August 03, 2009

Ali Howard's Skeena Swim

Ali Howard's Skeena swim continues with a community events in the Hazeltons today.http://skeenawatershed.com/swim/event-detail/skeena_swim_hazelton_community_event/
Skeena Swim: Hazelton Community Event
Date and time: Mon, August 03, 2009 - 3:00 pm
City/Town: Kispiox, Glen Vowell and Hazelton, BC
Venue: Kispiox totem park (10:00am) and 'Ksan Campground (3:00pm)
Description:
Join Ali and the Swim for their first community event at the confluence of the Kispiox and Skeena rivers near the Kispiox Village Totem Park. This will be the first human contact the team will have had with anyone other than themselves in about two weeks… user discretion is advised. Then you are welcome to join the Swim team for the 3-4 hour float from Kispiox to Hazelton for an evening event at the ‘KSAN Campground in Old Hazelton. The Gitanmaax Band is hosting a feast to honor this momentous occasion… there will be live music and stories for all! The crowd at ‘Ksan will be huge and we know the Gitxsan have something special planned. You can also watch Ali swim under the “4-mile” bridge on her way to Hazelton!

Read More...

Sunday, July 26, 2009

JahTrout's new film 'Where Hope Resides'



http://www.wherehoperesidesmovie.com/www.wherehoperesidesmovie.com/Welcome.html

The folks at JahTrout have their new movie on the Skeena out. Please view the trailer or visit their website to learn more or purchase this interesting look at Skeena environmental issues.

Read More...

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Ali Howard Skeena Swim Update

Ali Howard has started her Skeena swim to raise awareness of development issues in the Skeena headwaters. More info here:
http://www.skeenawatershed.com/swim

Read More...

BC Business article on DFO: 'Managed To Fail'




Here is a link to an interesting article on DFO management by writer Tyee Bridge.


The focus seems more south coast than north coast but does delve into ITQ's and the usual litany of DFO problems.
Photo copyright ©Hubert Kang, BC Business Magazine

Read More...

Thursday, July 09, 2009

SkeenaWild Money Give-Away in Smithers

Also from the SkeenaWild website, this novel publicity stunt on Main Street in Smithers recently.

SMITHERS (July 3, 2009) SkeenaWild Conservation Trust has devised an innovative poster to attract attention to its cause.

The poster is entirely covered with removable $5 bills, beneath which hides a startling message: If salmon disappear from the Skeena, so will $100 million from the local economy.


It was unveiled on Smithers’ Main Street. And much to the delight of the gathered lunch crowd, the money—roughly $2,100 in total—was free for the taking.

“Everyone knows salmon are important for our ecosystem, but most people aren’t aware of their economic worth,” said Greg Knox, Executive Director of SkeenaWild. “Literally putting money in people’s hands demonstrates how we all directly benefit from them. It’s like a mini stimulus package, from salmon.”


“As one of the most diverse wild salmon habitats in the world, the Skeena has always had a salmon economy. We just wanted to get people talking about it again,” said Tricia Bradshaw, Account Manager at Rethink Communications, the Vancouver-based ad agency behind the stunt.

SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, now in its second year of operation, is dedicated to making the Skeena watershed a global model of a sustainable wild salmon system. Among other projects, the Trust is working to improve wild salmon management and prevent threats to habitat.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Greg Knox, SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, (250) 638-0998 or (250) 615-1810 (cell)
gregk@skeenawild.org

Tricia Bradshaw, Rethink Communications, (604) 685-8911 triciabradshaw@rethinkcommunications.com

Read More...

SkeenaWild Report Card on Fishery Management



From the Skeena Wild website, here is their Report Card on DFO's Skeena fishery management.

http://www.skeenawild.org/news/archive/first-annual-skeena-salmon-report-card-highlights-need-for-better-managemen/


July 2, 2009 (TERRACE, BC) – Skeena salmon harvest rates were set too high and federal managers failed to meet federal obligations to Skeena First Nations. Those are two findings contained in the first annual report card on the Skeena wild salmon fishery, issued today by SkeenaWild Conservation Trust.

The report card assigns grades in seven focus areas and is based on the outcome of the 2008 fishing season.

Download the report card (PDF format)http://www.skeenawild.org/uploads/reports/SWCT_skeenareportcard_08.pdf

“There are indications that Skeena wild salmon management moved in the right direction compared to previous years,” said SkeenaWild executive director Greg Knox. “But if issues around harvest rates aren’t addressed for the 2009 fishing season, we’re going to see weak salmon stocks put at even greater risk of extinction.”

The report assigns the following grades:

Harvesting: E
Habitat: D
First Nations: E
Economy: C
Enforcement: C-
Communication: C+
Collaboration: D

“We want to provide people living in the Skeena with an at-a-glance overview of how well their salmon are being managed,” said Knox. “Our organization’s goal is to make the Skeena a global model of wild salmon management, and our annual report card will be an important tool for charting our progress.”

SkeenaWild’s next report card, based on the outcome of the 2009 fishing season, is due to be released this October.

Read More...

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Alaska sockeye glut


Story from the Anchorage Daily News on the glut of sockeye in Bristol Bay right now. Fleet might be curtailed because the processing capacity cant match the catching ability. Imagine 10 million sockeye caught in 3 days fishing. The projected catch for Bristol Bay in 2009, the article states is 24 million sockeye.

http://www.adn.com/money/welch/story/853730.html
For comparison, in Skeena we catch under a million sockeye most years. This year might only be 500,000 or so.
And just like farming a 'good crop' isnt necessarily a good thing as prices will plunge for the fishermen with a glut of product on the market.
The Skeena fishery has barely started and is already being impacted by forces beyond its control. Maybe lows fish prices will keep some boats tied to the dock later this season.

Read More...

Saturday, July 04, 2009

More Federal bailouts of fishermen

More commercial fishing industry subsidies.....(click below for details). Although this doesnt pertain to west coast salmon fishermen the topic is of interest. Why is it that the fishing industry is one of the most bailed out and heavily subsidized industries in Canada?? It seems crisis after crisis, some of their own making from overfishing etc, always end up in either bailouts, buyouts, or subsidies like described below? Check out the wording of the Press release, DFO is actually giving these fishermen money to"...adapt to the global economic situation...." and "....ensure a sustainable, self-reliant lobster sector..."
This seems like a bit of an oxymoron doesnt it? How can the industry be sustainable if it requires bailing out by the taxpayer? How can it be self-reliant when it requires periodic bailing out by the taxpayer? Somehow in Canada being a fisherman is completely different than being a normal business person. Normal business people are allowed to fail and declare bankruptcy all the time with no Federal assistance. However, commercial fishermen are treated completely differently as if they have a special status. We suggest letting the market dictate who survives this downturn and the industry and fishery would probably be better off for it. Just like with the Atlantic Cod, DFO wants to blend social engineering with fishery management.....Didnt work for the cod or the cod fishery. Note for the $60 million spent on this bailing out this fishery, DFO could have bought out all the gillnets licensees on the north coast and 'invested' in researching truly sustainable catch methods. This type of investment would have much longer lasting benefits to fish and industry than short term band aids in economic downturns.
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/npress-communique/2009/hq-ac30-eng.htm
Harper Government Delivers Support to Fishers and Families in the Atlantic Lobster Industry
June 10, 2009

OTTAWA – Fishers and their families who have been hit by the global collapse in lobster prices will receive targeted short term support to make ends meet while working on ensuring a sustainable and viable lobster industry in the future. Today, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea announced that the Harper Government will make a $65 million investment to help fishers in the Atlantic lobster industry adapt to the extraordinary market conditions created by the global recession.

“Our government stands on the side of affected fishers and families whose livelihoods depend on the lobster industry,” said Minister Shea. “The circumstances affecting the lobster industry are unique and lobster fishers had nothing to do with the collapse in lobster prices. All they want is the chance to continue making an honest living doing the job they love. These short term measures will allow us to work with the industry to ensure a sustainable, self-reliant and flexible lobster sector for years to come.”

Communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec will benefit from today’s announcement.

$15 million will be provided for Short-Term Transitional Contributions that will assist qualified low-income harvesters severely harmed by the collapse in market demand for their products due to the global recession. Available only during this particularly difficult year, eligible lobster-dependent fishers will be compensated for a portion of their lost income caused by reduced landings.

The announcement by the Minister also invests $50 million in Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Measures to support those in the industry who develop and implement long-term sustainability plans. This includes a $15 million allocation specifically for those who work in low-income areas and have experienced significant losses due to chronically low lobster landings.

“This program will allow the industry to modernize and emerge from the current economic crisis on a sound footing for future generations,” said Minister Shea. “Most of these measures were recommended during consultations with the lobster industry and provincial governments, and I look forward to building on this engagement and working with all of our partners to secure a stronger future for the Atlantic lobster fishery.”

Read More...

More Federal Subsidies to Commercial Industry

Under the guise of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Federal Government is further subsidizing the commercial fishery to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars nationwide. Here in BC, millions of dollars will be spent on wharf and dock improvements. Scroll down for locations and work.
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/back-fiche/2009/pr10-eng.htm


Quoted from the Press release on the DFO National website:

“The commercial fishery is very important to the people of British Columbia and the Government of Canada recognizes the province’s need for a well-functioning network of small craft harbours,” said Minister Moore. “Our government is ensuring that much-needed work is carried out at core fishing harbours, to provide economic benefits to communities throughout British Columbia for years to come.”

Funding for the Small Craft Harbours Program is one of many job-creating investments contained in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Through this plan, communities throughout Canada will receive $200 million over two years to accelerate harbour repair and maintenance as well as undertake dredging projects. This new investment is in addition to already budgeted funding of approximately $80 million for the Small Craft Harbours Program for this year.

$22.7 million is being provided under Canada’s Economic Action Plan for projects at core commercial fishing harbours in British Columbia over the next two years. This is in addition to $6.3 million in regular program funding this year for the province.

These projects are being undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the harbour authorities that manage and operate the facilities for local users. This close co-operation with clients allows the federal government to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada, in support of commercial fish harvesters, aquaculturists and coastal communities.


Federal Funding for Small Craft Harbours in British Columbia: Canada’s Economic Action Plan at Work
June 5, 2009


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The funding for the Small Craft Harbours Program announced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan includes $22.7 million for projects at small craft harbours in British Columbia. This new investment is in addition to regular program funding for the Small Craft Harbour Program of approximately $6.3 million for the province of British Columbia.
The following projects will be carried out under the program:

Harbour development and repair projects will be carried out at Campbell River, Fanny Bay, French Creek, Ganges, Gibsons, Hospital Bay, Kitkatla, Lund, Port Alberni, Port Clements, Port McNeill, Quathiaski Cove, Saltery Bay, Sointula, Sooke, Steveston, Tsehum Harbour and Ucluelet West. Major projects, including the installation of large scale floating wharves, will also take place at French Creek, Port Hardy and Steveston.

Wharf repairs or improvements are planned for Bamfield West, Campbell River, Comox, Gibsons, Heriot Bay, Ladysmith, Prince Rupert (Rushbrook) and Steveston.

Float repairs are scheduled for French Creek, Powell River South, Prince Rupert (Fairview Bay), Queen Charlotte, Steveston and Ucluelet West.

Dredging work is scheduled for Ladysmith and Steveston.

Breakwater construction and repairs will take place at Bella Coola, Comox, Deep Bay, Ford Cove, Heriot Bay, Kelsey Bay, Ladysmith, Lund, Ocean Falls, Port Alberni, Prince Rupert (Fairview Bay), Prince Rupert (Rushbrook) and Sointula.

Float access construction and repair will be undertaken at French Creek and Steveston. Shore protection repairs will be done at Kelsey Bay and upland improvements, including buildings and service areas, will take place at False Creek (Vancouver), Steveston and Queen Charlotte.

Electrical service improvements will be carried out at Campbell River, Deep Bay, Egmont, Madeira Park, Porpoise Bay, Port Edward, Port Hardy, Prince Rupert (Rushbrook) and Queen Charlotte. Fire protection repairs are slated for Steveston.


Read More...

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Skeena film trailer: 'Where Hope Resides"


Check out the trailer for the upcoming Skeena film 'Where Hope Resides' by Jah Trout Productions. Promises to be a very interesting look at the various issues facing the Skeena. Coming out summer 2009.

Read More...

Ali Howard Skeena Swim


Check out Ali Howard's Skeena swim. Ali is planning to swim down the Skeena from the headwaters to raise awareness of all the development threats the watershed faces.
Good luck Ali!! We'll check back periodically in July and see how she is doing.

More info here:http://skeenawatershed.com/news/article/one_woman_one_river/

Read More...

Thursday, June 04, 2009

FlyBC website support



As part of our marketing efforts, the NCSA has chosen to support the FlyBC website and purchased a banner ad. We also just really like the site and think the folks involved and the site visitors really care about BC's fisheries resources.

http://forum.flybc.ca/index.php?s=8d1046d464beaf3c4d10350bf1cd1270&act=idx

Read More...

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Commercial lobbying and letter writing campaign

Here's some more info from the commercial lobbyists to their constituents giving a season update and trying to get the troops all riled up for a letter writing campaign.
You can tell they are pretty concerned with how this whole Skeena fishery is shaping up. From their perspective recent management changes and this season's proposed sockeye reductions appear to be the end of the (their) world.
Interesting to note how they are trying to get more organised, even forming a group....the Sustainable Marine Fisheries and Communities Alliance. This group has started lobbying the DFO by meeting twice with the head of North Coast Mr Seigi Kriegl; writing letters to the Minister of DFO Gail Shea; asking for the Minister to come to Prince Rupert for a meeting.

Their group title really says it all doesnt it? So long as the fishery is 'sustainable for the marine fishery and coastal communities they are fine....They conveniently forget this is a watershed wide fishery issue with upriver communties wanting to be 'sustainable' also. And obviously, their definition of sustainable is totally different from anyone elses in the watershed.
They paint the NCSA as the enemy "...up against the usual groups"...but the writer mistakenly refers to us as the Steelhead Society. They say we are "..demanding they cut back on steelhead interceptions..." while we thought we were asking for steelhead interception to be eliminated which is quite different.

This type of verbiage really sums up their whole approach with regard to depressed fish stocks:
DFO says that it is ocean survivals that are driving the downward trajectory and a piddly cut like 10% won't have much affect. So a 30% cut from last year (40% cut from 2002 exploitation rates), they say, might be big enough to see an affect. They want to change the "trajectory".

Congratulations to DFO for wanting to 'change the trajectory' of depressed stocks. Yet, here the commercial reps are complaining about DFO wanting to try and change the downward trend for weak salmon stocks. As weve seen in other recent communications from the commercial sector they have absolutely no problem with these depressed stocks staying depressed. They assert any effort to rebuild fish stocks on the backs of commercial fishermen will be fought aggressively.
Amazingly, the commercial sector repeatedly misses ( or purposely forgets) the most basic point that they have the biggest impact on fish stocks.


Here is what they are asking from their constituents:
This is the Minister's address. Please write respectfully and talk about some (or all) of the following:
-how badly this will impact you
-DFO did not follow the WSP in building a plan for the watershed
-DFO used a fulty model for consultations on ER's but then, when it was corrected, discarded it and imposed a 30% cut without any explanantion to the commercial sector
-The Skeena Independant Science Review did not call for any cuts...it said runs were very low but stable. The ISRP called for a watershed process to make the tradeoffs between biological, social, and economic issues (just like the Wild Salmon Policy does in Section 4)
-Please come to meet us in Prince Rupert before July
-Please do not implement these very large and serious cuts

The inward looking nature of all their rhetoric reflects a total lack of concern for the resource or other users or communities. Notice there is no mention of the welfare of the resource...no mention of upriver First Nations groups unable to fulfill their FSC rights....no mention of finding ways to stop intercepting steelhead...The only issues they are concerned with is self centered. Surely, commercial fishermen couldnt forget the Atlantic cod management fiasco so quickly could they? DFO almost drove the cod into extinction by managing for coastal communities and jobs in Newfoundland. Surely we can learn from those mistakes and do better on our coast?

In the next post, we'll present some points that concerned steelhead advocates can use in their letters to DFO Minister Shea to counter the commercial sector's claims.

Read the full commercial sector update here:


Area C Harvest Committee Report:

Hi everyone - I have been putting this news off as long as I could because we were hoping that we could change DFO's fishing plan. However, it has gone to the Minister now and I believe that if we want to change the fish plan we need to act now in a letter writing campaign.
First, here is the plan:
Skeena: Spring salmon first opening Friday, June 12th 4:30 am Second: Friday, June 19th. (NOT YET CONFIRMED)
Nass: Sockeye opening: June 16th (NOT YET CONFIRMED BUT BELIEVED TO BE TRUE)

200,000 Commercial TAC. The gillnet share will be 150,000 (75%)

New chum boundary 1/2 mile line off of Wales Is. and Tracy Bay. Live chum to be released - and possible non-retention

Non-retention of coho to start

Skeena: Sockeye opening: NOT YET SET - LIKELY in 2ND WEEK JULY
2 Million run size --- Exploitation rate reduction of 30%
400,000 commercial TAC. The gillnet share will be 300,000 (75%)
This sockeye cut is not a one time deal. The Exploitation Rate was 33% from 1994 - 2002; then 30% from 2003-2008; now it is 20%
This 20% ER is a policy decision to rebuild wild sockeye stocks which DFO say are on a downward trajectory that, for the most part, does not have to do with fishing but has to do with ocean survivals. This means a 400,000 total net Skeena Sockeye catch on a 2 m run. Last year the net fleet would have caught 600,000 on a 2m run.
This is a 200,000 fish cut.

Non-retention of chum (likely - maybe / maybe not)
Non-retention of coho
Non-retention of steelhead
Pinks - large return expected but DFO has no intentions of letting gillnets fish in August to harvest them as that would mean having to return coho, steelhead, chum and sockeye back to the ocean.
Area 6 Chums: Kitimat Hatchery chum: will likely open July 13 in Douglas Channel
Area 7 Chums: Likely open on July 27 Non retention of coho (to start and maaaaaybe can retain if lots show up)
Area 8: Bella Coola Spring opening: June 1
Chum: Earliest June 29 Non retention of coho (to start and maaaaaybe can retain if lots show up)

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING TO FIGHT THIS TERRIBLE SKEENA SITUATION:
An Alliance of 7 North Coast First Nations' Governments and 3 municipal governments plus Area C Harvest Committee, the Native Brotherhood, the Northern Native Fishing Corporation and the UFAWU-CAW was created last May. We have managed to work together for the past year and have put together a Vision document that we will be talking this summer.
This Alliance (called the Sustainable Marine Fisheries and Communities Alliance - SMFCA) has now met twice with Siegi Kriegl - the head of DFO North Coast to discuss the fish plan. Leaders of all 7 First Nations and 3 municiple governments showed up plus Henry Clifton (Brotherhood and Area C Rep) Mabel Mazurek (NNFC and Area C Rep) and Joy Thorkelson (Union and Area C rep) to protest these changes to our fishing harvest rates. Don Roberts (Area C Rep) was there as Chief Councillor of Kitsumkalum First Nation.
Every North Coast Band has written to Mr. Kriegl saying that they were not Consulted on these changes and that they will have tremendous economic and social impacts on their communities. The municipal governments have done the same. SMFCA has also written a letter signed by all 10 Governments to the Minister of Fisheries asking that the Minister not implement the changes and also come to Prince Rupert before the end of June to meet with us.
Of course, we are up against the usual groups: Steelhead society and Province are demanding that we cut back on our steelhead interceptions (using short sets and short nets all season). Greg Taylor and the SkeenaWild sports-enviro group are demanding that DFO cut the sockeye Exploitation Rate even further (down to 15% or to 300,000 total catch with 225,000 for gillnets). The Skeena Fisheries Commission are also asking for further cuts to the commercial fleet's catch.
DFO cannot back up its demand for a cut this size. They have 2 years of poor returns to some wild stocks, but they have also had increased in-rivmixed stock fishing during this time. DFO says that it is ocean survivals that are driving the downward trajectory and a piddly cut like 10% won't have much affect. So a 30% cut from last year (40% cut from 2002 exploitation rates), they say, might be big enough to see an affect. They want to change the "trajectory".
Right now, DFO's line is that they cannot tell us what an acceptable harvest rate is for Kitwanga, Nanika, and they are not sure of the timing of some of the other smaller stocks that they want to protect. Earlier (3 weeks ago) they gave us a model (spreadsheet) to work on to see what the impacts would be on Nanika and Kitwanga exploitation rates. The model was wrong - the impacts of Alaska and Inland Food Fish were wrong - and so Don Roberts and Kitsumkalum First Nation asked Dr. Karl English (from LGL, a fisheries management consultant firm) to fix the model. He did, and clearly we could meet the DFO exploitation rate limits that DFO had given us by adjusting our fishing days - with a Exploitation rate of 29% - which would have given us a net catch close to 600,000.
The DFO now say that they don't really have exploitation rate limits for Kitwanga and Nanika - it is the trajectory that is what they are concerned about. So the model goes out the window and we are back to the 30% cut to change the trajectory.
The Wild Salmon Policy says that DFO is not supposed to do these things unilaterally. They are supposed to have a 'watershed committee made up of First Nations and stakeholders". So the Skeena Watershed Committee II got reconsitituted. We have been attending meetings religously and asked the group if they would agree to a process that would (as it says in the Wild Salmon Policy and what the Skeena Independent Science Review Panels said last year) weigh biological, social and economic benefits of any cutbacks. Well, surprise surprise, the SWC II agreed in principle but then absolutely found anything else to put on the agenda so that they would not have to discuss tradeoffs between 'biological, social and economic' affects of fish management on the Skeena.
So this lets DFO act uni-laterally and allows the sports groups et al to lobby against us.
So.... Fishermen have to get into gear. YOU MUST SPEND AN HOUR WRITING A LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES. I am including the letter we wrote Dave Einarson and the letter we wrote to the Minister.
Some fishermen have created a Commercial Fishermen's site and they may have information you can use posted there: www.com-fishaction.com
This is the Minister's address. Please write respectfully and talk about some (or all) of the following:
how badly this will impact you
DFO did not follow the WSP in building a plan for the watershed
DFO used a faulty model for consultations on ERs but then, when it was corrected, discarded it and imposed the 30% cut without any explanation to the commercial sector
The Skeena Independent Science Review did not call for any cuts - said runs were very low but stable. The Independent Scientists called for a watershed process to make the tradeoffs between biological, social and economic issues (just like the Wild Salmon Policy does in Section 4)
Please come to meet us in Prince Rupert before July
Please do not implement these very large and serious cuts.
And in case you are confused: on a run of 2 million 33% exploitation rate up to 2002 = 660,000 catch
2003 - 10% cut to exploitation rate = 30%
30% exploitation rate 2003 - 2008 = 600,000 catch
2009 - 30% cut to exploitation rate = 20%
20% exploitation rate 2009 = 400,000 catch
Between 2002 ( 660,000 catch) and 2009 (400,000 catch) we have had a 40% reduction
The Honourable Gail Shea
House of Commons
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Parliament Buildings, Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A6

Min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Read More...

Monday, June 01, 2009

Recent Commercial fishing sector lobbying


Here's a sample of the commercial lobby rhetoric coming out of Prince Rupert lately.
This letter is from the Area C Harvest Committee, the Native Brotherhood of BC, the Northern Native Fishing Corporation, and the UFAWU-CAW ( United Fisheries and Allied Workers Union....mostly shoreworkers in canneries).....these are the groups that make up the gillnet fleet mostly. The letter is directed at the DFO Area Chief for Fisheries Management on the north coast Mr David Einarson.

Let's examine some of their concerns starting with a planned reduction in the Skeena sockeye exploitation rate. ( Some Background: DFO is proposing a reduction in Skeena sockeye exploitation rate. The rate is lower than previous years, but not in line with the suggestions from the Independant Science Review Panel Report.) For the steelhead-centric types, scroll down to # 3 for the short set/short net discussion.
Read more...

From the Commercial lobby letter: (NCSA comments in blue)
1) Skeena Sockeye ER

The UFAWU-CAW is very distressed by the sockeye exploitation rate in Draft 2 of the IFMP. It is a 30% drop from the rates established in 2003 and a 40% drop from the 10 year average previous to 2003. It is too much.Not too much if you are a wild sockeye from a system with less than a couple of hundred survivors.

1a) The proposed plan will reduce marine harvests by 200,000 sockeye. Fewer than 20,000 of these fish are non-Babine ‘wilds’ and they will be divided among 26 different lakes. A questionable difference in spawning returns to these systems, yet a huge impact on commercial fishers.We are pretty sure most depressed wild sockeye stocks could use an extra thousand fish on the spawning beds to assist in rebuilding. Again, their view is commercial fishing takes precedence over the actual fish.
The Wild Salmon Policy says that all the problems facing weak stocks should be investigated so that we know what we are trying to resolve in any rebuilding plan. Social and economic implications are also to be weighted. Rebuilding trajectories need to be agreed upon and limit reference points established. The Skeena Watershed Committee had this on its work plan at the request of the commercial sector, but never accomplished anything. Some may say that the other participants did not co-operate in a WSP/SWC trade-off process because they find it easier to feather their own nests by dealing with issues politically. Interesting perspective on the SWI....the other groups referred to seem to think the opposite...or that DFO was the culprit in not addressing the issues directly and in a forthright manner. The SWI 'process' drags on as we speak. To give some impression of how effective this SWI process has been, it spent all of 20 minutes on a conference call 2 weeks ago in reviewing this season's IFMP ( the main 'fishing plan').

We strongly object to DFO making cuts of this magnitude without addressing the tradeoffs and consequences to the fishery.Doesnt sound too concerned with depressed fish stocks do they?? Only concerned with impacts on fishermen......Didnt DFO manage another fish stock in this manner somewhere else in Canada?? That's right...DFO managed the Atlantic Cod almost into extinction by managing for jobs over fish.
Although the ISRP states that the present exploitation rates will ‘remain at severely depressed levels’ the scientists also said that “…most of the non-Babine sockeye stocks; those stocks are now very low, but the SEDS data show that most are not continuing to trend downward toward extinction.” p47. The cuts DFO has presented in this plan are far above what is needed to maintain the stocks at their present levels – in fact, that could be done at recent exploitation rates. Awesome logic in play here, basically stating: "the stocks are severely depressed...but studies show these stocks are not trending downward any further. The proposed harvest cuts are way more than what are needed to keep them at the present depressed levels"
What happened to actually wanting to re-build these runs so that they are not at risk of extinction and so First Nations folks can engage in their Charter Right protected Food, Social, and Ceremonial( FSC) fisheries?? The commercial guys are saying status quo is fine and depressed sockeye stocks can stay depressed basically forever so long as they dont impact fishermen via conservation concerns.

3) Short sets / short nets (This is the 'selective' gillnet measure of forcing boats to use only a half length net and keep it soaked for a short period of time thus supposedly giving non-target bycatch a better chance at survival after release)

We totally object to short sets and short nets being required this season to increase steelhead savings unless there is a steelhead conservation problem. We understand that MOE wants the commercial fleets to pass more steelhead by for allocation purposes – and we ask you (as we are asking them) how much is enough? How heroic are the actions that we have to take in order to please the steelhead lobby?

Absolutely priceless...especially the 'heroic' part. And the answer to the question 'how much is enough' is easy: WE WANT THEM ALL. The NCSA told everyone this at the Terrace SWI Congress earlier this spring. We dont want any of them killed in what is a non-sustainable, non-selective archaic gillnet fishery. Your industry should not be allowed to negatively impact another industry in this manner. Catch all the sockeye you want just dont kill steelhead or other species while your conducting your business. If your chosen capture method does not allow that, then its time to look for a different way to catch the target species.
We want to point out that short sets/nets increase fishermen’s costs. They have to cut their nets, re-hang part of them, and then they have to change their fishing patterns and cut their specially developed drifts. In performing short sets with short nets, their fuel costs increase astronomically as they cannot shut off their engines while drifting as is common practice.

The whining continues....unbelieveable that the gillnetters do not want to comply with selective measures because of costs, old habits, and misc. other excuses. Even more amazing is DFO capitulating and giving them a choice in the matter.
As well, it is a safety issue – most gillnetters are over 60 years old and with 20 minute soak times never have a chance to rest or eat.

This is incredible: to claim a 'safety issue' when really all gillnetters are too old to comply with the selective measures....wow, where do you start with a statement like that? Maybe its time to consider it might be time to retire...or get a different job....or try working out the other 50 weeks of the year you dont fish!? To state an industry demographic precludes the application of measures used to ameliorate the negative effects of said industry on other stocks and other resource users is completely unacceptable. But, amazingly, this type of rhetoric resonates with DFO in Prince Rupert. Remember, DFO managers live in the community and see these fisher folks at the grocery store and as neighbours. Of course the managers will cut them any slack available as it is basic human nature to pity and try to accomodate. Plus, the commercial lobbyists, like the letter writers, can cruise into the DFO office and pound on the manager's desk at any time during the season crying the blues about jobs, income, EI benefits, etc to beg for further openings. As weve stated many times before: move the DFO offices out of Prince Rupert if the fishery management is to truly reflect the watersheds interests.Short sets / short nets were developed as a tool – in a tool box – to help conserve fish that were in trouble. Not to enrich another user group. And devaluing the efforts that fishermen make to conserve weak stocks by requesting them to do it pro forma will not pay off. It just demeans their efforts and makes them less inclined to assist in future endeavors when it is really needed.

The short set/short net was basically developed as a last ditch effort to allow these non-selective gear types to continue to fish at least a little bit...yet another DFO attempt at accomodating everyone while pleasing no one. Complaints about changing fishing habits to accomodate selective measures is amazing...let's ask: do they want to fish at all? If they do, they better be more amenable to selective measures. The NCSA was asking for the short set to be used all season this year plus area closures ( Skeena rivermouth). However, in a step backwards DFO has refused to even commit to using any slective measures such as this for 2009. The measures are included in this years IFMP (Fishing Plan) but no mention guaranteeing their use....only their 'possible use'.
The prevailing attitude in this paragraph shows that fishermen wont do what they are told. Their attitude is "we'll fish only certain ways , at certain times....that works best for us" It is time DFO showed them who the boss is. Fishermen dont make the rules. Either fish by following the rules or sit tied up to the dock....your choice.
You also have put all this discussion in context: remember, last year the gillnetters fished more than their 10 year average. And only after the season was long done was the Tyee Test Fishery 38% overestimate released. So, in 2008 the gillnetters got way more fishing than they were supposed to with the commensurate negative impacts on steelhead and other non-target species and stocks. Now, here they are in 2009 demanding more fishing, not to use selective measures, and attempting to limit the number of steelhead making it past their fishery, all in complete disregard of what occurred over the last few years. We wonder what color the sky is in the gillnetter world.....??!!

Read More...

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Commercial fishing lobby site



Here is a new website ( www.comm-fishaction.com) developed by some pro-commercial fishing group to counter all the 'bad' press they've been getting over the last few months, years, decades....

It makes for fun reading actually, seeing their perspective of how oppressed the 'joe average' gillnetter is and how they have been the victims of smear campaigns by those nasty enviro-eco types. Plus, those selfish steelhead folks who want everything for themselves just dont understand your average gillnetter. Interesting to see them frame the issue and speak of the food supply as if somehow gillnetters are akin to farmers....salt of the earth types....just trying to supply the world with yummy salmon to eat.
Not once do they acknowledge the non-selective nature of their chosen capture device.....your basic denial approach coupled with a blame everyone else element.

You almost...almost...have a tiny bit of empathy for them, but upon reflection that soon dissipates with the knowledge gillnetters have done little to change how they fish in over a hundred years. All the so called 'selective gillnet' measures they have promoted have holes in them the size of chinook mesh.....Bottom line is: when gillnetters fish, they kill most fish that encounter the net.....Hard to refute that basic fact backed up by study after study. Gillnetting is an outdated, imprecise, non-selective capture method that affords fisheries managers little leeway in attempting to meet various conservation or stock management objectives.

We are sure their site will provide some good fodder for future postings here. Stay tuned.

Read More...

Thursday, May 28, 2009

BC Chamber of Commerce AGM, Prince Rupert

Last weekend the NCSA travelled down to the BC Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting. This year it was being held, in of all places, Prince Rupert.
We assisted the Smithers Chamber of Commerce in presenting a draft policy focusing on maintaining a vibrant sportfishery in our region. It was also a great opportunity to advocate for steelhead and publicize the wasteful bycatch of them in the commercial fishery.

The AGM Policy Sessions were fast paced with delegates presumed to have studied the materials well before the meetings. Votes are tallied by the Chair's eye or actually counted depending on how close it appears.

Needless to say, a policy advocating the sportfishery, the conservation of steelhead, and the proposal of shifting the sockeye catch to inriver selective locations was not readily accepted by some delegates. The Prince Rupert Chamber reps could not agree to any measures that appeared to be 'anti-commercial fishing'. Several other community reps with commercial fishing interests also voiced concern. But really it seemed they were just against anything they thought would be harmful to their commercial industry.
After some 'wordsmithing' changes to our original policy and a very close vote, we are pleased to report the policy passed. This is significant in that the BC Chamber Policy manual is presented to government and actually gets serious consideration.
We feel the real value was in having steelhead and fishery management being discussed on such a prominent stage, plus having all the regional Chambers ( Houston, Smithers, Terrace, Burns Lake) all engaged in the value of steelhead discussion.
All in all, a very successful event. A big thank you goes out to the Smithers Chamber folks for putting forth such a policy and advocating for steelhead and fishery management. Also thanks to those regional Chambers who voted for the policy.

Here is the press release from the Smithers Chamber of Commerce.



Press Release
From the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce
May 25, 2009

The Smithers District Chamber of Commerce was successful in presenting a policy resolution at the 57th Annual British Columbia Chamber of Commerce AGM and Conference, held May 21 to 23, 2009 in Prince Rupert. Over 140 delegates, representing 133 individual Chambers, met for two days in policy review meetings to discuss various resolutions including the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce’s “Policy for Maintaining a Vibrant Sport Fishing Industry in British Columbia, which passed at the meeting.

The policy’s preamble included the continuing negative impact of the mixed stock fishery at the mouth of the Skeena River, where steelhead are caught incidentally by fisheries targeting sockeye and pink salmon. On average it sees from 1/3 to 1/2 of the returning steelhead in any given year killed unnecessarily as “by catch”. The preamble stated that the associated sport fishery, that is dependent on the returning steelhead, are negatively affected and, as the steelhead sport fishery is a major economic contributor to BC’s economy, management of this resource must consider sport fishing and its associated tourism industry in regulations committed to increased annual returns of Skeena River steelhead and salmon.

The resolution recommended that the federal government acknowledge the importance of the sport fishing tourism industry in fisheries management in British Columbia and that the Ministry of Environment support a Province-wide Steelhead Recovery Plan.

David McKenzie, president of the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce, stated, “This is an extremely important issue as businesses throughout the north are dependent on the health of the sport fishing industry. We listened to their concerns about declining species, unable to maintain their cycle under existing fishing pressure, and advocated on their behalf. When the BC Chamber of Commerce presents this issue to the government we feel confident this will result in improved stock abundance and the enhancement of angling opportunities and economic benefits in our region.”

Read More...