Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing-related Issues & News => Topic started by: Frankey on August 17, 2009, 02:46:32 PM
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Just heard the news,there was a violent confrontation betweens natives and sporties yesterday (Sunday) at the mouth of the Harrison when a native driftnet became entangled around a sports boat.One native was shot in the face with a BB gun according to Tribal Police, a second sports boat joined the fray and produced a knife which was used to cut the drift net away,Police are looking for two sports fisherman and boat as they left the scene after the altercation!... and the plot thickens...stayed tuned!
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Too bad. But these things will give Crey more ammo to shut down the sporties, all of them, on boat or on shore.
Also beware that FN fishers may be armed from this point on. ;D
For once, bbers are not responsible to cause violence or river closure (if it happens) this time. ;D
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http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1126543
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Chilliwack Progress
Chehalis chief shot with pellet gun after gear gets tangled
The Fraser River at Island 22.
JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS FILE
Text By Jennifer Feinberg - Chilliwack Progress
Published: August 17, 2009 1:00 PM
Updated: August 17, 2009 3:10 PM
1 Comment The Sto:lo Tribal Council is asking for the Fraser River to be completely shut down to recreational fishing after a violent incident against the chief of Chehalis First Nation erupted Sunday on the Fraser.
RCMP reported that a First Nations fishing boat was drift-netting on the Fraser near the mouth of the Harrison River when the net became entangled with a sport fishing boat, causing an an altercation.
"The males aboard the sport fishing boat were reported to have fired a shot from what is believed to be a BB gun or Air Gun, striking one male," said RCMP Const. Lea-Anne Dunlop.
One of the men was hit with a projectile, which caused a laceration to his face.
"Thankfully the injuries were minor in nature," said Dunlop.
Chehalis Chief Willie Charlie stated in a news release he was the one who was shot in the face with a pellet gun, while he was operating one of the many native boats drifting in the area.
"They threatened us and repeatedly rammed our boats as we fought to untangle our gear and defend ourselves with oars and poles," said Charlie. "Some among the sport fishermen had drawn guns and knives as we fought to protect ourselves.
"I was shot in the face by a pellet gun, gear was damaged and words were exchanged before the sport fishers finally disbursed."
Due to so few sockeye returning this year, aboriginal fisheries were restricted to using large-mesh drift nets that are only capable of selectively harvesting stronger runs of chinook salmon, he said.
"Sport fishers need to respect our limited weekend openings and get along with our fishers or get out of the river," added Charlie.
The chief emphasized the need for everyone "to respect the Constitutional priority of the food, social and ceremonial fishery" or closures would be sought.
"We were lucky this time," said Chief Charlie.
STC spokesman Ernie Crey agreed, and said part of the problem is that people do not know that drift fishing with nets is an authorized method of fishing by DFO.
"Leaders in the sport fishery are encouraging this kind of conflict by attacking both the DFO, thus encouraging disrespect for authority, and aboriginal fishing families," he said. "They claim that fishing with drifted gillnets is illegal in our fishery. This is incorrect as the DFO authorizes fishing by this method. And under court rulings, we have the freedom, within reason, to choose our preferred methods of taking our food fish."
The conflict is likely "to spread like wildfire" all along the Lower Fraser, he said.
"I have been warning the DFO that some anglers are mixing booze, guns and bad tempers," Crey continued. "I told the DFO that there is imminent danger of violent confrontations between our food-fishing families and sport fishermen who don’t believe they should share the Fraser with aboriginal people."
The tribal council is now demanding that DFO extend the partial river closure over the entire Lower Fraser.
"The Fraser River’s aboriginal people are now engaged in a desperate struggle to catch and preserve salmon to avoid hardship this coming winter," Crey said. "The DFO should not make matters worse for them by exposing them to violent and abusive anglers plying the river."
Police are now asking any witnesses of the Sunday afternoon incident on the river to come forward and call police at 604-792-4611 or CrimeStoppers.
"Extensive patrols were made for the boat, and its occupant, of launching areas, and on the river with the use of the RCMP river boat, however the suspects could not be found," said Dunlop.
The suspect's boat was described as a 19-foot cream-coloured fiberglass boat with an outboard motor. The two male occupants of the boat were described as follows a Caucasian man in his 60s with grey hair and a moustache, and a Caucasian man between 35 and 45, with scruffy brown hair and facial hair. Both men spoke in heavy accents, described as possibly English or Scottish.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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mrichview 3 hours ago
"The Sto:lo Tribal Council is asking for the Fraser River to be completely shut down to recreational fishing after a violent incident against the chief of Chehalis First Nation erupted Sunday on the Fraser."
Surprising that the Sto:lo want
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not racist my thoughts though are that for food? natives are selling them!
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Sigh... Does anyone remember when fishing used to be about having a good time?
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"I have been warning the DFO that some anglers are mixing booze, guns and bad tempers,"
who is he talking about? cause it sounds a lot like most of the aboriginal fishermen that i've seen on the river ::)
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Your right Hue-Nut., and this is just the usual, race-baiting, one side of story " reporting' ;)from the Progress. The paper is a disgrace.
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Whoever is this fisherman is he is a real clown and his action are affecting all of us. He is lucky the FN didn't shoot him.
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Whoever is this fisherman is he is a real clown and his action are affecting all of us. He is lucky the FN didn't shoot him.
Let's remember..... we've only heard one side of the story. ???
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True and I'm confident there is more to it but I cannot think of any excuse for shooting an FN in the face with a BB gun...
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If the natives are fishing for food,why are they selling them? ???Once again Ernie Crey you are spewing misconceptions about what really is going on the river.I too would like to hear the other side of the story!
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If the natives are fishing for food,why are they selling them? ???Once again Ernie Crey you are spewing misconceptions about what really is going on the river.I too would like to hear the other side of the story!
I was fishing on Fraser on Saturday fromt he shore (Seabird Island) and two FN boats were drifting this are all day long. One boat was net-drifting on the opposite shore and the FN guys got 1-2 fish over the entire day.
The other FN boat started drifting close to the other side of shore where BB's and other rec fishermen were casting, obviously trying to reach the pools where socks rest. Then a group of three young men (I assume one was FN, the others definitely not) started bottom bouncing from the shore, being quite noisy and bold, they got 1 sockeye, kiled the fish, kept it and soon disapeared with the fish. After my own experience observing FN net drifting, and the fact, that fish are usually resting or prefering one part of the water and there is almost no fish in Fraser, both FN & recreationals want to fish the same spot ! So entangling each other is unavoidable. It is obvious that FN wants to close all Fraser for recreationals so they can net-drfit the entire river without any "obstacles" from other fishermen.
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http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090818/bc_fishing_shooting_090818/20090818/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome (http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090818/bc_fishing_shooting_090818/20090818/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome)
Mod edit: Watch it... Unacceptable language.
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Were there any witness to the confrontation ? How do we know this is not a made up story . The so called confrontation is to sway the DFO in closing the river for all sports fishing . Until we hear the other side of the story , all the talk is a ploy to close the river .
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Were there any witness to the confrontation ? How do we know this is not a made up story . The so called confrontation is to sway the DFO in closing the river for all sports fishing . Until we hear the other side of the story , all the talk is a ploy to close the river .
Exactly what I was thinking. With the police boat searching the river and the police cruisers checking all the boat launches they still where not able to locate the boat. Makes you wonder does it not.
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Let's reverse the situation and take a brief moment to consider what have been posted.
If a couple of sportfishermen cast their rigs into a net drifting by and proceed to reel in the tangled net to untangle the mess. While doing their best to untangle, members of First Nation fishers become angry with the sportfishermen's action and assault them before leaving quickly. Sportfishermen report to authority what supposedly happens, supposed offenders are not found. Maybe the sportfishermen are making up a story to fabricate how dangerous Native fishers can be.
Two user groups share a resource, either one is not going anywhere. Conflicts are resolved by understanding each party's concerns through dialogue, not by creating and escalating fear and anger among own group to further intense the situation.
So far, there does not seem to be much will to seek for resolution judging by the responses. Good luck.
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Why should the natives get to fish the sockeyes unabated? So they can sell them and what they don't sell dump in a ditch somewhere! Your missing the point the resource is for eveyone to share, not one particular group excluding all others!
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Why should the natives get to fish the sockeyes unabated? So they can sell them and what they don't sell dump in a ditch somewhere! Your missing the point the resource is for eveyone to share, not one particular group excluding all others!
So, what are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like? Beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group.
This is a serious question, not intended to humour anyone. The same question is also directed at anyone else who has been actively engaging in these discussions.
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Why not have a set boundary for sports fishing and a set boundary for first nations . Mission Bridge to Aggizie Bridge for fishermen and The first nation will have from Aggizie bridge to sawmill creek . Have the DFO at the boundary so nobody crosses .
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I posted this on another site and thought it should go here too. I'll probably take flak for this but I've got big shoulders. Simple solution, shut down sport fishing sockeye permanently in freshwater. Let the FN people have it like they used to before this joke of a fishery was opened in the 90's. I'm quite happy fishing for other salmon species, sturgeon and rainbows.
Hasn't this always been your stance on the sockeye fishery? Like FN this incident is being used to fuel ones private agenda. As for solutions I cannot think of any at the moment. DFO has created this problem by turning a blind eye to illegal sales of fish and not being clear when FN have openings. I think the soultion lies within DFO doing a better job of managing the fishery but that is probably a lost cause...
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Why not have a set boundary for sports fishing and a set boundary for first nations . Mission Bridge to Aggizie Bridge for fishermen and The first nation will have from Aggizie bridge to sawmill creek . Have the DFO at the boundary so nobody crosses .
This would make things far too crowded IMO
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Saw something interesting last night while scouting for Pinks in the lower Fraser.
There were several boats drift netting down-stream from the Alex Fraser bridge.
One boat had its net pretty much across the middle of the river, drifting upstream with the incoming tide.
Along comes a double-barged tug up river, heading to a dock very near where the net was drifting.
The tug needs to do a complete 180 degree turn to be able to slow down the 2 barges and dock them.
It was hard to tell the exact distance from where I was (about 300 yards away) but it looked like the tug motored past the drift net by a few yards (could have been 50-100 feet) then started his turn, nearly clipping the drift net.
Now the tug has very little control on the timing of his 180 degree turn. If he slows down to miss the net, the 2 barges behind him will run into him or start swinging around on their own at the wrong time.
It took a good couple of minutes to complete the turn and it looked like the fishing boat was scrambling to either pull in the net or slow it down so it wouldn't run into the last barge.
Adding to this problem was another fishing boat coming around the side of the barges at a good clip and very nearly runs into the drifting net. Looked like he hung around for a few minutes helping the 1st boat trying to move or pull in the net.
It's hard to say if the tug was trying to clip the net or not or if he really cared, one way or the other.
It would be interesting to hear from other people that work on the river to see how much more difficult it is with lots of net fishing boats on the river.
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Simply put...
Crack down on illegal activity.
The same attitude that has east hastings looking like a battle ground from hell, is also resulting in the heated war zone on the fraser.
Enforce the law. Take prisoners. Seize boats. Seize fishing rods. Only those who are breaking the law will complain.
We law abiding citizens, anglers are sick of it
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Two user groups share a resource, either one is not going anywhere. Conflicts are resolved by understanding each party's concerns through dialog,
Give me a break !
Rodney, I realize you're the moderator on this site but this has been going on for decades. There's been a ton of time pass for "understanding". We've "understood" the differences between pedestrians and car drivers for almost 90 years now but we don't put up traffic lights until someone gets killed.
We're talking about emotional, irrational humans. And I don't mean the the few individuals involved are emotional or irrational. I mean that for the most part all of us are emotional and irrational. When it comes to making a decision between what our mind wants and what our heart wants, the heart usually wins out. We need to support and motivate DFO into taking the action that they are mandated to take.
The success of Fishing with Rod depends on there being a reasonably healthy sport fishery in BC, and the Lower Mainland in particular. Although you are doing your best to be neutral you realistically cannot be. I believe that you have a mandate from your subscribers and advertisers to rally the troops toward a positive outcome.
You have the knowledge.
You have the platform.
You have the writing and photography skills.
NOW IS THE TIME !!!
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To me, on so many levels, this story just does not pass the smell test at all. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel this way. I'm not going to list all of things that don't add up but, I'd like to see the BB gun confiscated and the person(s) apprehended before I buy into this. The Chehalis band has much at stake, commercial speaking, begining shortly.
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"They threatened us and repeatedly rammed our boats as we fought to untangle our gear and defend ourselves with oars and poles," said Charlie.
There is this saying: "A lier's mouth tells you the truth";
like those guys got their net and didn't want to let it loose; boaters dream;
they had to "fought" and "defend" to get it back;
who was the first one aggressive? I have a feeling that was Charlie ...
And why tries to move the attention from a particular situation? Shut down the river for all sportfishing... in your dreams Charlie...
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I have the mandate to rally the troop? lol... My obligation for my subscribers is to provide the services that I am selling. My obligation for my advertisers is to promote their business via my website content. I am not a lobbyist, especially not for a group where a good percentage of the individuals lack the respect for other user groups and the resource.
There has been no attempts of understanding by the way, except a few dialogue sessions set up by the Fraser Basin Council for sportfishing representatives with all Lower Fraser First Nation bands that I participated in a few years ago.
This thread is not an attempt of understanding, not to mention the racist content that I have removed so far.
The success of Fishing with Rod depends on there being a reasonably sustainable resource.
My question has not been answered by anyone. What are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like, beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group?
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I know Chief Willie and you could not wish to meet a nicer gentleman. If sport fishermen wanted to alienate one of the few chiefs that have any sympathy for sports fishermen this was the way to do it. I cannot believe that the incident happened any other way that the way he explained it.
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My question has not been answered by anyone. What are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like, beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group?
Ok I'll got first,
Personally, I try to treat all people on the river equally. I have even stopped at dark-dusk on my way back to the boat launch to check on a couple of First Nations fishers that were having trouble starting their motor. Waited into until their boat was running before carrying on. I waive to them when I pass by boat, and move out of their way when they drift close. One day I hope to see the same respect from them. We must make it clear to First Nations people that we are not against them as individuals or nations, but against the present 'system'.
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"The Fraser River’s aboriginal people are now engaged in a desperate struggle to catch and preserve salmon to avoid hardship this coming winter," Crey said. "The DFO should not make matters worse for them by exposing them to violent and abusive anglers plying the river."
This has got to be one of the best lines from the article! He always makes it sound as if there was no sockeye salmon to eat, all his people would starve to death.
Do his people not have the ability to go to the supermarket? Or is he insinuating that if his people don't legally and illegally sell sockeye, that they won't have money to go to the supermarket? I wonder how many days a year, especially in winter, Mr. Crey eats sockeye or any salmon.
They should just let the natives have free reign over the sockeye run. Either they will have no more sockeye to fish for in a few years due to their own greed and ignorance, and would have nobody else to blame but themselves (and they will all starve during the hardships of winter ::)) or the natives above Hope and along the Lillooet/Birkenhead systems will get really pissed off and hopefully demand the Chilliwack area natives to smarten up!
Either way, recreational harvesters will probably get the shaft but maybe this is the best option for the resource regardless how common and shared it is.
Just my thoughts.
Shane
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Mr Crey for sure is a Drama Queen no doubt about it...he makes it sound like a life and death struggle for the Natives harvesting Sockeye.Now its the sporties harrasing the natives not the other way around so he wants all the sporties off the river this weekend for the upcoming opening..interesting to see how this will all play out!
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Mr Crey for sure is a Drama Queen no doubt about it...he makes it sound like a life and death struggle for the Natives harvesting Sockeye.Now its the sporties harrasing the natives not the other way around so he wants all the sporties off the river this weekend for the upcoming opening..interesting to see how this will all play out!
So, what are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like? Beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group.
It's not as difficult as it seems.
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This made the newspapers in Scotland this morning, a picture of Chief willie charlie and saying they are hunting two Scottish guy believed to have shot him in the face and cutting nets with knifes.
I will post detail if there is anymore in the newspaper, but it was on page 33 and i guess it might not be followed up at a later date.
Gordon.
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Personally, I try to treat all people on the river equally. I have even stopped at dark-dusk on my way back to the boat launch to check on a couple of First Nations fishers that were having trouble starting their motor. Waited into until their boat was running before carrying on. I waive to them when I pass by boat, and move out of their way when they drift close. One day I hope to see the same respect from them. We must make it clear to First Nations people that we are not against them as individuals or nations, but against the present 'system'.
That's good Morty. At the personal level many also practice what you do to make it an enjoyable environment for all users. One should also realize that most First Nations fishers also conduct themselves in similar manner, by netting away from congested sportfishing areas so their nets wouldn't get in the way of anglers. Of course, it only takes a few who choose to cause problems on both sides to escalate possibly conflicts. Many First Nations also share the same concerns as anglers. Most cannot conduct their fishing during the week so openings are usually set on weekends, when the river is the most heavily used. Many First Nations fishers do their fisheries with family members and there are always concerns of young family members being hurt by the few inconsiderate anglers who have a tendency to become rude or even violent.
When a conflict such as what has happened last weekend, it's easy to sit there, point fingers and accuse lying on the other side until the river closes for sportfishers. A much more challenging, but appropriate approach would be to become a leader and develop options to resolve the tension. The result is better PR for the sportfishing sector and a river that remains opened for all to enjoy.
Here's the question again for those who still have not answered it.
What are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like, beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group?
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Well I just choose not to fish that area of the river. In fact I do not fish past Mission if I fish the fraser. I also treat everyone and I mean everyone I meet with respect no matter what, as life is way to short for confrontations. I like to enjoy the limited fishing that I do. I also put in countless hours during the year with a hatchery and DFO to ensure fish for the future.
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I guess I should further clarify the question some more. While putting in volunteer hours at the hatchery is great and more people should do it too because it's beneficial to the resource and a great learning experience, it doesn't really solve the problem between the sportfishing sector and Lower Fraser First Nations.
Here's the revised question, what are you, the sportfishing sector as a whole, doing to resolve the conflict with First Nations in order to get what most sportfishermen would like? It'd be nice to see opinions at both the personal level (such as what Morty and Fly Guy have expressed) and also ideas that can be put forward for future use if the sportfishing sector can get organized enough to start a dialogue process with First Nations when conflicts such as this occur.
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What are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like, beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group?
The conflict that happened on the weekend is rare. These conflicts are often blown out of proportion in the media including the internet. As individual sportsfishermen we can do nothing to about that. Writing to the paper to present another side would probably just escalate the issues. As others have suggested, treating everyone with respect and sometimes turning the other cheek goes a long ways to getting along.
I personally believe that the system we have is perceived to be unfair and unequal and is resented by both parties. The only way the conflicts can ultimately be resolved is by the law makers and the law enforcers. I have written my MP on at least a couple of occasions and I do vote.
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I guess I should further clarify the question some more. While putting in volunteer hours at the hatchery is great and more people should do it too because it's beneficial to the resource and a great learning experience, it doesn't really solve the problem between the sportfishing sector and Lower Fraser First Nations.
Here's the revised question, what are you, the sportfishing sector as a whole, doing to resolve the conflict with First Nations in order to get what most sportfishermen would like? It'd be nice to see opinions at both the personal level (such as what Morty and Fly Guy have expressed) and also ideas that can be put forward for future use if the sportfishing sector can get organized enough to start a dialogue process with First Nations when conflicts such as this occur.
Rod, do you know the difference between a moderator and a censor?
Seriously I know it's your site and all, but a little humour on this heavy thread maybe what it needs.
You took off the funny photos and gave no reason why.
Lighten up a bit. We can criticize, right?
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Yeah it was funny, but replies followed were starting to derail the topic. I am both a moderator and a censor, so I've been told many times.
Anyway, point taken of course and will always reconsider in the future as usual.
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Yeah it was funny, but replies followed were starting to derail the topic. I am both a moderator and a censor, so I've been told many times.
Anyway, point taken of course and will always reconsider in the future as usual.
I was wondering what happened to that post ::) By the time I posted my reply I looked kinda dumb (more than usual)
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Once on the river trolling in our boat not too far from natives drift fishing...suddenly I heard a "WHISTLING NOISE ZIPP BY" ... sounded like those things ya hear on Oct 31. I assumed it could of been a 22 bullet ....but I may be wrong. Can't think of what else could of made that noise. ---but the majority of natives I have found are friendly....but like in all races "THERE ARE BAD APPLES" -------------- I wave to the natives & other boaters on the water...... as the boating crowd are a friendly bunch. Remember the natives who helped out when the ferry was sinking....after it ran aground. ---- (l10% of the natives wave back...90% do not return the wave BUT that's ok...no problem) ---- As far as answers... maybe from Pitt Meadows eastword.... have natives fish on odd numbered days & sport fishermen on even numbered days. ------- River is wide Pitt Meadows west so problems should not occur. Anyways as a belliever in the Lord... really God's will for me is to love ...forgive.....................................................................................voilence etc...will not solve "things". Personally I just never see this problem ever getting solved as some "people" just will do it their way.... like the song "MY WAY"... Like one Nasa person said from space.... "looking down at the beautiful earth just sitting there in orbit.... that it is hard to believe there's so many problems on it"
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Is this a story? Meaning did this acutally happen?
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Some fatherly advice...take it or leave it up to you.
The few times I have met FN people on the river, the situations have been friendly, respectful, even fun.
I have many times, especially during Sockeye "Combat" season (but Fall Coho, and July Spring as well) been in & witnessed stressful, aggressive situations, people crowding, others "defending" their spot.... 4 aught hooks whipping by my ears, hooked in my waders. Cussed at, seen others cussed out. The littering on and in the river makes me ill.
From what I have seen no "race" is immune to this stupidity. When you think about it show me any "race" without sin.
While I am at it... considering your fellow humans in terms of "race", is well stupid... Literally... It is far more important to the development of your character, the culture and environment within the immediate, local and national community in which you are raised than the part of the collective gene pool from which you are drawn. This can never be determined through the identity of your "race". I have traveled the world and found kindness, civility and honour everywhere I have been.
But I digress...
My point is that your collective sport fishing communities character is a disgrace. This you can not deny. Stop looking to other groups for solutions. Start looking in the mirror.
In fact this is partly why I have not a huge interest in fishing much anymore, figured out over time that as presented to me continuously for many years in this part of the province. If I had to make a general statement it would be that I am very aware of this fishing communities lack of character. As it sits now I am not certain you have something to offer and share with my children... instead I have chosen (for the most part) to hunt and raise my children in that culture and community.
Is there guilty parties and idiots on both sides, yes I guess there is, would have to be I figure, knowing human nature.
Ultimately this is the same as it has always been ... stop pointing the finger, start pulling the thumb. Clean up your own back yard... your own character ...both figuratively and literally. Then you will find this situation will work itself out to a conclusion both sides can live with.
Tough love ... true,
but coming from a good place.
I wish you well.
Jim.
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Sad, but true! Well said Jim and all the best with your young family, WS.
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Well said Jim. I thought I would share at this time a letter to the editor of the Vancouver Sun I sent last week. Maybe not the proper place to post this but Jim's remarks triggered me to place it under his.
Re article by Scott Simpson, 'Poor ocean survival blamed for returns', Vancouver Sun, August 15,
In the article by Scott Simpson "Poor ocean survival blamed for returns', it is true that Mother Nature has had a hand in the poor return of Sockeye salmon to the Fraser River and their natal streams to date in 2009. I, however believe Nature is not the only cause. I now believe all fishing sectors, Commercial, First Nations and Recreational anglers have had effect as well as the Federal and Provincial Governments which have not helped matters now and in the past.
Commercial fishing at one time had many many openings in the Fraser River from the Fraser River Estuary right up to Mission. Were too many of the previous generations of Sockeye allowed to be harvested then, to sustain the runs?
Some First Nations fishers fish illegally during closed times with set and drifts nets often under darkness and some people think there has not been proper enumeration of fish taken then and during their sanctioned openings. Fish are often sold outside economic opportunities during food, social and ceremonial only fisheries.
Recreational anglers last week were asked by FOC to fish selectively and were asked not to Bottom Bounce (flossing) where the interception of sockeye happens regularly. Many anglers complied, but others, as of Saturday, night did not. This caused the river from the Agassiz Rosedale Bridge to the Hope Bridge to be closed by FOC to salmon fishing for the recreational sector as of midnight Sunday night, August16.
The Provincial and Federal Government do not get passing marks in my books either. Both governments allow Atlantic fish farms to continue and still issue licenses for more to be built, even after Alexandra Morton has provided evidence time after time of the damage sea lice are doing to sockeye and other salmon species. It appears both the Provincial and Federal government allow monetary and international concerns to come before the well being of out wild stocks
For the last few years both levels of government have allowed gravel mining to go on in the Fraser River main stem around Chilliwack that affect salmon rearing and habitat areas. The Provincial Government sells this to the public in the guise of flood protection while many know it is about the revenue to be gained by gravel companies to be used for British Columbia Gateway projects and other construction projects that need the gravel for fill, concrete and asphalt.
For example in 2006 a well publicized news story saw millions of pink alveins killed due to a causeway being built across a Fraser River side channel. This caused the channel to de-water suffocating the millions of alveins still in their redds giving them no chance to emerge and migrate to the ocean to begin their 2 year life cycle. Where was the Provincial Environmental Minister asking for an investigation into this devastation? There was no investigation that I know of, nor were charges ever laid.
Financial cut backs to Fisheries and Oceans Canada budgets over the last years has, according to some, seen the lack of proper assessments of out going smolts and fry. Also, the monetary and staff cut backs have negatively affected the counting of the returning salmon to their natal streams.
I feel it is time to stop blaming just nature, but all user groups need to look at themselves to see what they can do to reverse this trend of decreasing sockeye salmon and other species of salmon. After all, we owe it not only to our future generations, so they too can witness each year the marvelous return of our precious salmon--a renewable resource--to our rivers, but most importantly, we owe it to our fish to do so. They, the salmon are counting on us, and if they could talk they would say "get on with it"
Chris Gadsden
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Chilliwack Progress
Respect, education seen as keys to Fraser River peace
Members of the Fraser River Salmon Table Society, (from left) Dave Barrett, Ed George, Ernie Crey, Patti MacAhonic and Frank Kwak, meet to find peace on the river.
ROBERT FREEMAN/ PROGRESS
Published: August 21, 2009 2:00 PM
Updated: August 21, 2009 2:39 PM
2 Comments Sports anglers and aboriginal fisherman started looking for their own solutions to river conflicts at a meeting of the Fraser River Salmon Table Society Thursday in Chilliwack.
"We need to be able to share the river in a way that everybody is respected," Patti MacAhonic, executive director of the BC Wildlife Federation, said.
"We have to provide leadership on how we move forward," said society member Frank Kwak, president of the Fraser Valley Salmon Society.
Dave Barrett, chairman of the salmon table, said sports and aboriginal fishermen must come together to find their own way to "sensibly" share the river.
"I don't know what that way is yet," he said. "It isn't going to be easy."
Controlling access to the river with "passports" that can be cancelled if a code of conduct is violated, and adding education about native fishing rights to the process of getting a sport fishing licence were two ideas raised at the Thursday meeting.
The society will hold another meeting next week with more river users, including fishing guides and First Nations leaders to discuss solutions.
The Thursday meeting was called after Chehalis Chief Willie Charlie was shot in the face with a pellet gun fired by a sports fisherman last Sunday.
Sto:lo Tribal Council fisheries advisor Ernie Crey agreed the shooting may have left some native fishermen resentful.
But he said the message he will take to First Nations is "there is a willingness to talk" at the salmon table, and using it to find remedies to river conflicts should be explored.
"It's time to get down to brass tacks about sharing the river, and how it will work," he said. "Some of it may not be immediately palatable to some people."
BCWF regional president Ed George agreed respect is key to sharing the river, but "it's a two-way street" and native fishermen must respect sports fishermen, who also fish to feed their families.
"We've both got to recognize that," he said.
A growing number of sports fishermen, who may not be aware of the aboriginal priority to fish, are coming to the short stretch of river in the Chilliwack/Agassiz area and clashing with native net fishermen.
Native fishermen are legally using drift nets now, instead of stationary set nets, and they are getting tangled in sport fishermen's lines and boats.
But native families often find sports anglers in their traditional fishing sites, and they have only two days on the weekend to fish while sports fishermen have seven days.
The society, a non-profit, non-governmental organization, started in 2006 with commercial fishers and First Nations working together to save the Cultus Lake sockeye run.
It was later joined by recreational fishers and conservation groups like the BC Wildlife Federation with a mandate to "foster mutual respect" and "improve the health of salmon stocks."
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nohope4canada 14 hours ago
The year is 2015. Canada was once famous for its delicious salmon and exciting salmon fishing. But overfishing by all humans - First Nations, Commercial, and Sport and Tourists have led to the extinction of wild salmon in BC. So, the gov't will have to find a new way to attract tourist and their money.
Enter BC BUD. The First Nations can justify growing and selling it by saying it's "ceremonial". Tourist would flock to reservations to watch them smoke the peace pipe and dance around the fire. Commercial producers can say it's for their livelihoods and export it to the U.S. And new breed of growers will compete for the BC BUD CUP which will attract tourists from around the world. Its a WIN WIN WIN situation. Tell me, who would lose from this scenerio?
Sell your fishing boats and gear, learn how to grow properly and buy some grow equipment so you can cash in when this transition occurs.
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CanadianLatitude 1 day ago
The Thursday meeting was called after Chehalis Chief Willie Charlie was shot in the face with a pellet gun fired by a sports fisherman last Sunday.
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Shouldn't that be alleged? We are only hearing one side of this story.
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I posted this on another site and thought it should go here too. I'll probably take flak for this but I've got big shoulders. Simple solution, shut down sport fishing sockeye permanently in freshwater. Let the FN people have it like they used to before this joke of a fishery was opened in the 90's. I'm quite happy fishing for other salmon species, sturgeon and rainbows.
Got this far and stopped reading anymore of this thread and won't be back to read it again..
I'm with you FF...I think this actually would resolve allot of the problem..and it's NOT a sport fishery..Kuf the little peakerwoods who call it one!!!
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Got this far and stopped reading anymore of this thread and won't be back to read it again..
I'm with you FF...I think this actually would resolve allot of the problem..and it's NOT a sport fishery..Kuf the little peakerwoods who call it one!!!
The sockeye sports fishery is closed.... last time I checked. :)
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The sockeye sports fishery is closed.... last time I checked. :)
I believe they are saying sockeye fishing is not to be opened again, in fresh water.
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So that's going to stop fishing tactic's that you don't agree with? :-\ every method of fishing is suspect, last time I had a honest look at it.
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wonder wat's the story like in the first nation side, since the majority of the comments here are based on sport fishermen and would/could very likely to be biased
Me too