Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rodney on May 02, 2005, 02:55:55 PM
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Just received a phone call from DFO today, and I have been informed that it is actually illegal to dig up ditch eels in a ditch.
There will be a notice of it in the regulation updates sometimes later on this week.
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Any reason why ?
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Not really. Apparently it has always been illegal but wasn't heavily enforced as not many people are doing it. But now, everyone is out digging up all these ditches... apparently, so....
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Wonder how DFO is going to enforce this new regulation
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If you look close ditch eels have gills... so they are considered to be a fish or something along that line, that is the reason it is illegal.. Pretty sure
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Are ditches tidal? Shouldn't that be MWLAP?
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good news for the Alouette
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Are ditches tidal? Shouldn't that be MWLAP?
Probably because the digging ruins salmon habitat.
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So can you trap them or harvest them in a manner that isnt detrimentl to their ecosystem? ... the operative word is "dig".
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Ditch/Lamprey eels are protcted here in B.C. for a long time...The ones sold by bait/tackle stores are "suppose" to be imported from Washington state, packaged and labelled down there...don't know why they are protected...Maybe it's their beauty.... ;D
Most stores used to have them to sell but lately I have been told by a couple of stores that they get their bait checked weekely by the "boys"
Mike
P.S. does anyone have any ditch eels for sale!!
PM me......
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More information, this is from WLAP:
The "ditch eels" are lamprey, and are likely ammocoetes, which is the juvenile phase. However, sturgeon anglers also use adult lamprey. We have three different lamprey species that potentially inhabit the lower Fraser River, including river lamprey (Lampetra ayresi), Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and western brook lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni). Pacific and Western Brook are the more common. River and Pacific lamprey are anadromous and parasitic as adults, while western brook lamprey rear, mature and spawn in freshwater and are non-parasitic. Lamprey are a finfish, and as such the capture of lamprey is subject to the BC Sport Fishing Regulations. They must be captured by angling while in the possession of a current non-tidal license; they must be used only dead for bait; they must not be transported live, and they must not be bartered with or sold. There is presently no limit on the capture of any of the above three species for personal use.
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So does anyone know how to "angle" for lampreys ? What bait, where ?
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Sturgeon bait related news
Fraser River Eulachon test fishery result (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/050504.html)
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WoW :o
What a drop in numbers.......
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The official notice is out today:
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/fns/index.cfm?pg=view_notice&lang=en&DOC_ID=78750&ID=recreational
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Not that I disagree with this regulation but I find it interesting that ditch cleaning with machinery goes on in these same ditches. Where is FOC then to enforce this regulation? I realize that ditches need to be cleaned for the drainage of farm land in the Fraser Valley but once again it is at the expense of our environment.
I have examined these piles of mud in dump sites and have found these same ditch eels, frogs, salamanders, fresh water clams, etc. Also one ditch that was dug has a late Fall run of coho in it also so I am sure fish are destroyed in this process as well.
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we have been using smelt for sturgies and they have been workin great!!!