Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: chris gadsden on July 23, 2004, 09:45:23 AM
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At a meeting last night a number of sectors attended and the decison was made to launch a major protest against FOC for their inaction or inability to deal with the growing problems of illegal fishing on the Fraser River.
The feeling of many is if something is not done to make FOC realize they should be doing their job of in forcing the fishery act, some serious incidents could happen. They could be worse than the happening at Grassy a couple weeks ago.
We of course would not like this to happen and hope cooler heads pervail at all times especially as there will so many people on the river starting today with the sockeye opening.
As well the health of some fish stocks could be threatened if this illegal fishing activity accelerates and is allowed to continue.
I compare it to someone robbing a bank. If they are not stopped and keep returning time after time taking more money each time the vault will one day be empty.
If we do not want this to happen to our precious fish stocks we must attempt to get FOC and for that matter the RCMP to inforce the law. Our fish are threatened as is our democratic society.
I believe we owe it to future generations to do something. I also sincerly believe it is our duty some action instead of just standing idlely by and talking, time for action.
When I see little Max and for that matter Max, Gary and myself enjoying a day on the river like yesterday we must make sure we work to provide that opportunity for little Max and his future family and the rest of our generations to come. It is much to importnt to lose. Those in charge must be held accountable.
It is too bad the people, be it the Federal Government or their senior FOC staff we put our trust in to protect our fish stocks will not.
They all should be ashamed of thereselves, very sad indeed.
Your comments , ideas, or solution will be welcome and willtaken to the next SDA meeting in 10 days time.
Stay tunned ,we are getting ready FOC.
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Excuse my ignorance, but what happened at Grassy?
Also, yes I agree. I have phoned licence #'s and descriptions in to DFO 3 times (from the river!). Twice for fish killed after they were foul hooked and once for a steelhead killed at Peg Leg. I followeed up and nothing was done in any of the cases. I've tried to do my part, but it makes me wonder why I should bother.
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i think waht chris is refering to is the 2 individuals taht were dressed in camo gear throw out nets... someone else can elaborate if they want.
ps good on u chris
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I'll see you guys on the river tomorrow, I'll be the guy with the boxing gloves on. ;D
RobertO
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Excuse my ignorance, but what happened at Grassy?
Also, yes I agree. I have phoned licence #'s and descriptions in to DFO 3 times (from the river!). Twice for fish killed after they were foul hooked and once for a steelhead killed at Peg Leg. I followeed up and nothing was done in any of the cases. I've tried to do my part, but it makes me wonder why I should bother.
This is also what we want to correct. Keep calling in. The good doctor I beleve filed a report on the incident on this forum.
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Interesting info on protecting our fish stocks, standing united and freedom to fish for them.
http://www.freedomtofish.org
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This Grassy thing, was that 2 native guys in a boat dropping a net? And then some other fishermen jumped in a boat and chased them away? Is that what happened? If so, I heard about that through another fisher friend of mine. I believe one of the native guys told my friend something along the lines of, "Don't get involved, you wouldn't want my 38 to blah blah something." Where my friend replied, "I think my 44 would be blah blah something or the other."
Same story?
RobertO
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Chris, is there a Non-American version of this freedom to fish thing? I love the cause, but really don't want to get involved with an American group. Americans and how what they consider freedom to be doesn't sit well with me. :-\
Not that I know of as just got this link from a friend today. It was for reference only and idea's as I do not think we would consider hooking up with them.
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Chris ,I look forward to this and any other action that we take to illicit a change.It's obvious that the best form of protest would be a illegal drift net dropped by some sports fisherman,hopefully by doing this it can be shown how the laws differ for race.
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Human nature is a contrary creation as has been noted many many times in art, literature and media across the planet through the ages.
To Whit-people who readily admit to snagging fish are now beating their chests about 'other people' breaking the law.
As Yes-hypocrisy is exquisite is it not? ::)
I just can't wait to see all the 'chest beaters' out in force making complete fools of themselves-should be good for a laugh and a half.Especially when confronted by local media with video of they themselves practising the ugliest and most unethical forms of recreational harvest imaginable.
Believe me it's going to happen-my contacts are already alerted to the opportunity to make some people look really bad.It being the 'silly season' media have to look for 'lite entertainment' and this sort of debacle is exactly what they want. ;D
Details @ 11!
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I am no expert on the Native comercial and food fishery. It would seem to make sense to me that native FOOD fisheries would be given priority when determining allocations which should then be followed evenly between Non-native Comercial, Native comercial, and sports fisheries.
The fact that these natives are poaching when they can easily get a food liscence makes my think these fish are destine for the black market.
So Sam, do you think that me flossing a few fish for my family's BBQ is EQUIVILANT to someone poaching for profit!!!!
Get off your high horse, there is no comparison. We all have a stake in this resource regardless of race, ancestral hertatage, etc.
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The only poached salmon I like is done on my stove with a wedge of lemon in some Captin Morgan Rum. Adds a nice flavour ;D
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SAo Sam, do you think that me flossing a few fish for my family's BBQ is EQUIVILANT to someone poaching for profit!!!!
So you admit to being a snagger-fine.
There is no difference between someone who snags for dinner and someone who nets unlawfully -no.
And when the faces of the snaggers are shown on TV protesting the netters that'll be the true face of hypocrisy.
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Your still around :-\
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The colour of one's skin simply does not matter. If one is fishing in an illegal manor, then it needs to be stopped.
I agree-lets keep all bottom bouncing leaders under 24" so as few fish as possible are intentionally snagged by those who have no respect for the law.
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If all of the fishing methods mentioned in this thread were done away with it would sure be a nice river to fish on.Unfortunately there is some very greedy people in this province,on both sides of the issue.
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Fulcrum, i know you don't like the USA aspect of "freedom to fish" but you have to admit that in the last few years the envirofreeeeks have made sure that saltwater anglers can no longer fish from the beaches of the east and west coasts of USA (and to some extent canada), by calling the areas "marine parks or endangered ecosystems".....even though beach angling accounts for only a very tiny (non environmental threatening) percentage of fish caught....
its happing here in BC too......
maybe we could set up a BC chapter of "freedom to fish"..
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24" leaders compared to illegal fishing? That is an apsurd. There is no law limiting a lenght of leader. Do not want to go to ethical discussion - it never ends and talk here will not do any good if you find something unethical. Talk to your MP for a change of law, or organize a froup of people who will sign a petition. If you look at the law issue, what some people do is strictly illegal, and what other people do is maybe not ethical in somebodies view but have no legal consequences. I think what is at issue here, it is that even before we start talking about ethical issues we should be sure that law is respected, and that people who break it, and I do not care who they are, get what they deserve.
So, what I want to say talking about ethical issues is just energy consuming. Let's try to help Chris with suggestions how to force government to enforce the law they are paid to enforce. If I do not do my job for a week my boss would kick me out. It seems these people are not enforcing (for whatever reason - maybe they can not) law for a long time. So why they should be in the office and get my tax money?
Maybe there is a need for a better control and accountability of DFO?
just my 2c.
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sorry but even if conservatives won or win next time Cummings although the best choice is to contravertial to hold post of fisheries minister
the blue bloods would have to give that post to a maritimer
and fulcrum you don't like the american idea of freedom
how about your freedom to advertise your stores wares in english in quebec
ah yes canada the almost free , almost strong enough
to stop illegal fishing but definatly brave enough to tax you for the pleasure
i,m going fishing :) :)
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For every FN member fishing with drift nets there are hundreds of other people BB'ing (snagging). Can't see FN groups complying with any ruling when so many others refuse to give the salmon a break. Would the BB'ers be willing to give up their snagging methods if the FN groups would comply? Goes both ways. The popular justification for snagging is thats its a meat fishery, and I'm sure FN's members use netting for the same purpose.
Unless the slaughter is stopped soon I predict sport fishing on the Fraser will end and we'll all be standing on shore watching FN's excercising their right to the "food fishery". If anyone doesn't think this can happen think again.
I think the netting issue should be addressed at the same time as the snagging issue. DK's comments get my support. The Fraser would be a wonderful place to fish if the methods used by all groups were to comply with some standards that protect the salmon.
Too much abuse for this resource to survive.
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There is absolutely no grounds for comparing FN gill nets poaching for profit and me bottom bouncing a soc or two for personal consumption.
I commercial fished socs on a gill net/troller and ONE good set, maybe
1.5-2 hours could land 250+ socs..with the ammount of nets and their time in the water, I am sure they are taking a ton of fish (literally).
I am all for putting priority on the bands food fishery to fill THEIR freezers for the winter but poaching fish which are then sold on the black market is bull crap. Some one was telling me they saw the gross pounds of sockeye netted in by the alberni tribe last year and it worked out that every man, woman, and child could have ate 3 lbs of fish a day for the whole dam year.
Before the DFO worries about the flossing issue, lets get the "Food Fishery" and racially based commercial openings sorted out.
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SS: You'll have to come up with something better than "fear to the media" to scare people off protesting with a just cause.
Which side are you anyway? ???
Yopesco