Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rodney on September 11, 2020, 09:19:19 AM
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This video went up early this morning, I’ll have more to say about it later today.
https://youtu.be/r9EotvQUU8Y
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This video went up early this morning, I’ll have more to say about it later today.
https://youtu.be/r9EotvQUU8Y
good video Rod i know its not an easy subject to talk about as it can been very frustrating.
I think there is going to be some interesting management years coming up. 1. what happens next year if we have a good pink return and a bad sockeye year are they going to approve the use of sockeye mesh gillnets to harvest the pinks. 2. in 2022 if we have a good sockeye return are they going to allow them to take place during the endangered chinook summer 5.2 window. The ocean fishery has been told we cant fish for chinook till sept 1 because there is still endangered summer 5.2 chinook present(even tho the data shows 95% of the run is in the river by the second week of august).
I also hope the divide between sports fishermen can be resolved. I still find that when im advocated for openings there is still plenty of sports fishermen that think they are warranted and think closures mean more salmon make it to the spawning grounds. The reallocation to FN food fisheries is not understood, one because DFO still sells it as conservation.
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.......appreciate the effort ,understand the frustration .....very similar to the salmon itself swimming upstream.....
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I can appreciate your frustration. DFO has been mismanaging the resource for years.
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Thanks
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Rod, through your many volunteer hours at the table, you have earned the right to speak your mind. And you did so eloquently, passionately, and fairly. Well done.
And I learned a couple of things about the issues too. Thanks.
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A very heartfelt video.
I'm struggling to figure out what the hell DFO are doing in the Squamish system.
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I also hope the divide between sports fishermen can be resolved. I still find that when im advocated for openings there is still plenty of sports fishermen that think they are warranted and think closures mean more salmon make it to the spawning grounds. The reallocation to FN food fisheries is not understood, one because DFO still sells it as conservation.
The FNs will get their FSC allocation as long as there is any harvestable stock as that is the 1st priority. If some more is provided to the rec sector then the stocks will suffer. Reallocation have also occured due to the courts overturning DFO reductions of FSC allocations as "conservation" . DFO had to go back and negotiate FSC amounts after trying to impose arbitrary reductions.
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Thx for the vid Rod,
The Salmon number problem is much bigger than First Nations fisheries even though they do impact the Fraser and other rivers tremendously.
I'm on the Fraser on a regular basis and what we see during the course of the year is mind numbing. Go to Sturgeon Slayers Instagram page and look at the multiple dead Sturgeon left in nets on the beach to rot. Same with Salmon. Shameful and sickening.
Chum Salmon are in deep trouble so are Pinks. Yes, last years Pink run was bigger than expected but still poor. 2 yrs previous it was terrible.
Watching 1000's of male Pinks been thrown back in the river because they are worth nothing is a waste, yet The Harrison Chum pet food contract the Natives have (not sure if they still are doing this) send those male Chum to the US. Why not Pinks also? At least take the males out of the net if they are still alive and release them so they have a chance to spawn.
Us sport fishers are also not angels on the water. I've seen people snagging black Springs in the Vedder and watch family members run down the bank fill their totes and drive away to only come back and see it happen again. This is common practice. Not a good practice to teach your kids.
I've seem anglers takes over their limit of Coho and Chum at the Nicomen Slough, Vedder and Fraser on a regular basis. We counted a least 20 poached Spring and Sockeye on the beach at the Port Mann boat launch a few days ago that the Vultures we eating.
The Albion test set numbers are scary low. In one 5 day stretch only 2 Sockeye were caught where it should be at least 100's.
Off shore fishing from other countries catch our Salmon as do we on many US fish.
My point is that the massive reduction of Salmon is a extremely wide spread problem with so many issues affecting the numbers. Nobody can bitch about the natives net fishery on the Fraser if they are not getting any fish because those fish are not their to be caught.
Yes we do need to clean up our own yard with this fishery issue. Make our limits smaller, educate people on how to fish properly and like you said Rod work together with First Nations to enhance the Salmon runs......
I feel some Nations will but there are a handful and we know who they are that will continue to do what they want, when they want with very little if any reaction from DFO. I'm not sure how many fisher people know that there are quite a few hatcheries that are owned and run by First Nations, so let's not paint them all with the same brush.
DFO have to pull their heads out of their @sses and change the rules in so many areas for our Salmon to make a successful come back. And please people let's not forget about the Sturgeon. They also need help especially from poaching.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_paQMwBWvo
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the real progress can only be made when we all realize there is no first or second.. we are one nation.
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the real progress can only be made when we all realize there is no first or second.. we are one nation.
That’s the part I find strange right now. Most of North America is being protested for BLM, equal treatment and whatnot, but one of the groups wanting that to happen also wants race based fisheries to continue.
At some point it needs to be one people one nation
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Yes, lets have the oppressor take away one benefit to the oppressed guaranteed in the Canadian Constitution.
It's always great for us all to be equal after taking everything away from one group.
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That’s the part I find strange right now. Most of North America is being protested for BLM, equal treatment and whatnot, but one of the groups wanting that to happen also wants race based fisheries to continue.
At some point it needs to be one people one nation
They are citizens plus, Meaning they have all the rights of a Canadian Citizen plus they have rights and titles. Its not supposed to be equal.
Just be happy with the fact that you don't live in a cupcakes hole like most of them and don't need need the few pennies form harvesting fish. Still living and wanting to be like savages harvesting fish.
When was the last time you seen First Nations start up a multimillion dollar biotech firm and live in the 21st century? Think about it, its why 99% of canadians could give a rats my friend about handing some fish to them.
If you think about it like this you will realize why some of them think they are still children of the state.
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-Film,Report...Film,Report...Film,Report. Poachers are Poachers. No point in whining about the allocation, but there is a point to ensuring the rules are followed. This has to be in mainstream media if we want change. Make those accountable speak up and explain their actions. It would also help to show those who are following the rules...and what that means. We need to force officials to provide and make public what is going on. No spin doctored reports or promises to give reports at some point in the future. We need to know what the escapement objective is and how it is going to be achieved. We can argue later who gets the excess. We get daily COVID reports and those that give them have to explain why and what they are going to do immediately and long term. There is no reason to not have the fishing catch, by-catch and escapement data available to the public so that we can view and comment on what we expect and wish to be done. If the data is NOT available in a timely mannor then how the ---- can we say we are managing it. We need to expose and make public these back room deals which have nothing to do with Fish management. We should all be working to manage the fish first...allocation is political and those that make the political decisions can be held accountable when they stray.
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It's always great for us all to be equal after taking everything away from one group.
speak for yourself and please return everything you personally had taken from this group. i took nothing from this group.
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They are citizens plus, Meaning they have all the rights of a Canadian Citizen plus they have rights and titles. Its not supposed to be equal.
Just be happy with the fact that you don't live in a cupcakes hole like most of them and don't need need the few pennies form harvesting fish. Still living and wanting to be like savages harvesting fish.
When was the last time you seen First Nations start up a multimillion dollar biotech firm and live in the 21st century? Think about it, its why 99% of canadians could give a rats my friend about handing some fish to them.
If you think about it like this you will realize why some of them think they are still children of the state.
What a strange comment... Sure it is true I have never seen a multimillion dollar biotech started but a First Nation but I do know a few who have started up very successful businesses in other fields and I do know 1 who is a biochemical engineer. Granted that isn't a lot, but she is the only biochemical engineer I know so she trumps all the other races I guess (I am not sure the metric we are measuring by)
I am not saying that First Nations in the Country have not had horrible things done against them, and to an extent still do. But there are lots of success stories and more and more are emerging every month. There will always be some who will continue to view themselves to be "children of the state" but many others decide to forge their own path. I see no substantive reason why a First Nation could not start a multi million biotech company.
But back to the video, thank you Rod. It is way passed the point of pointing fingers. Or should I say passed the point of pointing them at anyone but the politicians. It is simply about votes. Sport Fishers are a tiny percent of the population so they were sacrificed first but that didn't solve the issue. Now they are sacrificing the North. The number of North Fraser salmon, those that make up the runs around Prince George are being counted in the 10s, not thousands or even hundreds they were just a few years ago; in the teens. The First Nations up there will be sacrificed so that the Lower Fraser Bands won't cause too many political ripples. But what happens when even all the fish down here are gone?
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check out the Osoyoos band for being forward thinkers and doing a great job creating wealth and employment for their people.
I believe other bands could do the same in their areas with they tried to. Just too many wanting to live like it's still 1756 or 1824. The World has changed.
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those were the times. could i go back but keep my Daiwa Luna, Flurocarbon and Owner hooks ? I also need Drennan floats, lead weights and my Shaver spoons ?
No, times have changed and so did the ways of life.
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They are citizens plus, Meaning they have all the rights of a Canadian Citizen plus they have rights and titles. Its not supposed to be equal.
Just be happy with the fact that you don't live in a cupcakes hole like most of them and don't need need the few pennies form harvesting fish. Still living and wanting to be like savages harvesting fish.
When was the last time you seen First Nations start up a multimillion dollar biotech firm and live in the 21st century? Think about it, its why 99% of Canadians could give a rats my friend about handing some fish to them.
If you think about it like this you will realize why some of them think they are still children of the state.
There are many First Nations businesses and business men and women. During my working career I've dealt with many of their companies and I can tell you that they are as good and professional as any company out there. From high end wineries to logging equipment mfging to restaurants.......
When it comes to fisheries most bands comply within their rights but some don't and this is well known. Imo DFO have to make the what should be a new approach to saving the Salmon the same for every user group including natives. The ones that don't comply (over fishing, selling fish on the side, fish dumps because they can't sell them....) need to pay for those actions.
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Rod i appreciate all you do for our resource and i remember many years ago how i admired your enthusiasm as i once had a lot of enthusiasm and donated my time for different things by volunteering etc. etc.
After doing it for so long and seeing how things have progressed over the years it wears on you and thats where i see you at now.
I know you will never throw the towel in as you have too much invested in all of this and hopefully you get to see some positive in the whole scheme of things fishy.
Thanks once again for everything you do for sport fishing and the fish and i hope you keep at it for another long while.
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I see all your frustrations as I have been working on fishing issues since 1984 when Fred Helmer Junior and I started the Fraser Valley Salmon Society together, many of you were not born then. ;D
At this time of year I first met Rod and took him fishing at the Squashed Tin, we caught some nice coho salmon that day along with Jon Beaty. I guess they were the good old days and things have gone down hill at lot. Even me as never seem to make time to write The Journal like I did back then. ??? Those days I wrote them to spark interest in this site. I need to print them up one day but need someone to edit them. :-X
I was away for a week so only now working on the videos and pictures I took of the Demo fishery at the the launch at Island 22, I will have videos up here and on my and other FB pages.I could not stay for it all as had to leave for a previous commitment. The one with Fred and FOC's Mike Fraser is interesting, stay tuned.
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The problem is not FN rights. There is and will never be a society where are all rights are equivalent or equal for every individual. FN rights can't be taken away, even if Canada were broken up those rights have to be respected in the deconstructed parts.
The problem is a shortage of fish. I have been here long enough to remember when the population of BC was about 1 million people. It's over 4 times that now. The number of people has gone up the number of fish down. Most of us can figure that out.
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The problem is not FN rights. There is and will never be a society where are all rights are equivalent or equal for every individual. FN rights can't be taken away, even if Canada were broken up those rights have to be respected in the deconstructed parts.
The problem is a shortage of fish. I have been here long enough to remember when the population of BC was about 1 million people. It's over 4 times that now. The number of people has gone up the number of fish down. Most of us can figure that out.
If you acknowledge first nations right and you acknowledge that first nations have the fastest growing population. Then the conclusion is that in the near future they won't be any fish for anything else. The good news is its still relatively easy for anyone to buy fish off first nations. Tho i hear the price this year was steep, over 20 bucks for a sockeye and Chinook was going for as much as 22 bucks a pound.
I guess there is a good reason why fish farms are so popular. That atlantic salmon in all our sushi restaurants is still very affordable.
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FN population growth is starting to slow as FN women gain an education and pursue careers.
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--There are not enough fish...yet we impose the strictest measures on the smallest quota holder...it just doesn't make sense.
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--There are not enough fish...yet we impose the strictest measures on the smallest quota holder...it just doesn't make sense.
That's double speak. The Rec sector has been taking South Thompson chinook all along this season...just not in Fraser itself.
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Copypasted from my reply on Rod's FB post:
I agree there has been severe mismanagement by the DFO, and I honestly don’t think anyone would disagree with that. However, in order for the Fraser River Sport Fishing Alliance and the Fraser Valley Salmon society members to be taken seriously, the racist undertones and over tones need to be purged from the ranks.
Exhibit A is this: https://youtu.be/CZqh_3z1w4s?t=8 (https://youtu.be/CZqh_3z1w4s?t=8)
Listen to the guy in the background. This is REGULAR talk I hear from sport fisherman all year, many of whom are vocal members of the FRSFA and the FVSS. I hear it on the river, I hear it at Freds, I hear it at Sea Run, etc. It’s everywhere. I also hear it from prominent members in the fishing community. The message of sportfishers being allowed to fish, and reshaping DFO practices has been diluted to: “Natives are bad”, and it’s extremely harmful to the brand. Until that rhetoric is removed from it’s members, don’t expect much public support.
I can’t take either side seriously when there’s talk like that. And quite honestly, you and I know that type of talk heard in the video is just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone reading this has heard much worse.
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Copypasted from my reply on Rod's FB post:
I agree there has been severe mismanagement by the DFO, and I honestly don’t think anyone would disagree with that. However, in order for the Fraser River Sport Fishing Alliance and the Fraser Valley Salmon society members to be taken seriously, the racist undertones and over tones need to be purged from the ranks.
Exhibit A is this: https://youtu.be/CZqh_3z1w4s?t=8 (https://youtu.be/CZqh_3z1w4s?t=8)
Listen to the guy in the background. This is REGULAR talk I hear from sport fisherman all year, many of whom are vocal members of the FRSFA and the FVSS. I hear it on the river, I hear it at Freds, I hear it at Sea Run, etc. It’s everywhere. I also hear it from prominent members in the fishing community. The message of sportfishers being allowed to fish, and reshaping DFO practices has been diluted to: “Natives are bad”, and it’s extremely harmful to the brand. Until that rhetoric is removed from it’s members, don’t expect much public support.
I can’t take either side seriously when there’s talk like that. And quite honestly, you and I know that type of talk heard in the video is just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone reading this has heard much worse.
Well said. That chatter caught my attention as well. And you're absolutely right.
Having said that, I will be anyone and disagree that there has been severe mismanagement. No doubt there are management decisions that, looking back, DFO would say "Well, we could have done better with that one". But, I suggest that most decisions are made (1) with the best data at the time, and (2) to support laws, regulations, and policies that the some members of the public disagree with, or are not aware of. What might be severe mismanagement to some, is likely just management according to unstated, or unpopular, policy. That's not mismanagement, that's just unpopular management.
Kudos to the organizers of the the demonstration fishery. The protest appeared professional and principled and protest is one tool in the citizen's toolbox to effect policy change.
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Thank you Clarki. Very easy to shout "severe mismanagement" from the sidelines.
Also to follow some comments about population numbers to discredit FN fishing rights, how many people actually showed at the demonstration fishery on the 9th? Information on the turn out and why some attendees were ticketed by DFO has been lacking.
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Thank you Clarki. Very easy to shout "severe mismanagement" from the sidelines.
Yes and after 15 years there still cannot come up with a leader length regulation but they are on top of management lol
Jesus even if you talk to people that work for DFO they will tell you what a joke management is in the department. What has conspired this year with respect to chinook regulations was Politics in Ottawa, Even if you talk to the DFO bio;s they were shocked as their recommendations were completely ignored.
lol who are you rebecca reid's dad lol
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Rod: You are now speaking to matters that many of us have been discussing for years.
DFO is NOT a "friend" of any user group beyond FN's. The closures of late are specifically designed to reallocate the fisheries resource from any and all users to FN's only. Period. Already there have been over 50 DFO sanctioned FN openings in the Fraser targeting endangered chinook, and the illegal catch of critically endangered sockeye has topped 10,000 (without any investigation nor charges being laid whatsoever).
https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fraserriver/firstnations/PDFs/CeremonialOpeningTimes_Previous.pdf
These closures affect a LOT more area than just the Fraser. Sweeping closures & restrictions offshore effect huge numbers of both recreational and commercial fishing people. Get used to it. In the spirit of reconciliation, the government is handing our resource directly over to one user group, at a cost to all. And regardless of how well you attempt to present the issues (well done video btw) they (the gov) is never going to do anything otherwise.
Get over it. Salmon fishing for the most part is done.
Sadly,
Matt
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Thank you Clarki. Very easy to shout "severe mismanagement" from the sidelines.
--Where else are we supposed to shout from...we don't get to review, advise and vote on the management practices...we can only judge from the results.
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That's double speak. The Rec sector has been taking South Thompson chinook all along this season...just not in Fraser itself.
--I kinda doubt they have or will harvest the greatest portion of these fish...the smallest quota holder which has the best chance to selectively harvesting only target species and can successfully release by-catch gets the shaft.
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--I kinda doubt they have or will harvest the greatest portion of these fish...the smallest quota holder which has the best chance to selectively harvesting only target species and can successfully release by-catch gets the shaft.
overall 40 to 50% of chinook harvest has been by the Rec sector over the last many years. Excepting the Fraser, FNs take a smaller portion than either the rec or commercial sectors. Proportions will have changed for last year and this year.
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That's double speak. The Rec sector has been taking South Thompson chinook all along this season...just not in Fraser itself.
With almost all of the south coast closed until July 15, where abouts have the rec sector been taking these fish all along this season?
Curious on the areas
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With almost all of the south coast closed until July 15, where abouts have the rec sector been taking these fish all along this season?
Curious on the areas
you are aware these fish enter the Fraser mostly late August into September? That leaves a 4 week plus window for exploitation in the ocean plus there was an opening in the interior.
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you are aware these fish enter the Fraser mostly late August into September? That leaves a 4 week plus window for exploitation in the ocean plus there was an opening in the interior.
Seeing you used wording of “all along” when at best it was open for 4 weeks in waters a distance away from Georgia straight makes it sound like there was all this plundering going on by the rec sector.
The freshwater opening is well after FN’s have taken 20,000 odd pieces.
If proper counts could happen, I would bet sport kill vs FN’s kill will be pretty equal this year on south Thompson chinooks.
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--The quota is not the major concern...its where, how, when it is taken, and what stocks, especially if endangered runs are taken as by-catch. Extracting target quota from mixed stocks has always been a significant issue. It is much more difficult for Lower Frazer fishers to extract only their thier target quota...we have to figure out how to sucessfully seperate non target stocks or stop fishing.
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Get over it. Salmon fishing for the most part is done.
Well, the next thing will be taking over your property. This is a trend and it's not going to stop when they take your fishing and hunting away.
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Well, the next thing will be taking over your property. This is a trend and it's not going to stop when they take your fishing and hunting away.
While it is indeed a trend, I will never stop fishing, nor hunting, nor give up any property we own.
Ever.
Period.
Nog
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DFO is NOT a "friend" of any user group beyond FN's. The closures of late are specifically designed to reallocate the fisheries resource from any and all users to FN's only. Period. Already there have been over 50 DFO sanctioned FN openings in the Fraser targeting endangered chinook, and the illegal catch of critically endangered sockeye has topped 10,000 (without any investigation nor charges being laid whatsoever).
Get over it. Salmon fishing for the most part is done.
Sadly,
Matt
Agree. It’s done on the Fraser River to the recreational sector.
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Well, the next thing will be taking over your property. This is a trend and it's not going to stop when they take your fishing and hunting away.
This has already happened to farmers in the Chilcotin area. News reports of land being purchased by the province to help settle land agreements with FN groups. One family in particular told the true and stated they had no choice in the matter. Basically expropriation.
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Rod: You are now speaking to matters that many of us have been discussing for years.
DFO is NOT a "friend" of any user group beyond FN's. The closures of late are specifically designed to reallocate the fisheries resource from any and all users to FN's only. Period. Already there have been over 50 DFO sanctioned FN openings in the Fraser targeting endangered chinook, and the illegal catch of critically endangered sockeye has topped 10,000 (without any investigation nor charges being laid whatsoever).
https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fraserriver/firstnations/PDFs/CeremonialOpeningTimes_Previous.pdf
These closures affect a LOT more area than just the Fraser. Sweeping closures & restrictions offshore effect huge numbers of both recreational and commercial fishing people. Get used to it. In the spirit of reconciliation, the government is handing our resource directly over to one user group, at a cost to all. And regardless of how well you attempt to present the issues (well done video btw) they (the gov) is never going to do anything otherwise.
Get over it. Salmon fishing for the most part is done.
Sadly,
Matt
So at what point do all of us colonials quit doing any salmon enhancement, walk away from pouring money into things like the big bar slide and say “ oh well, too bad for you”.?
Why should I pour any more of my tax dollars Into creating salmon for only one user group to access?
From what I see The future showing for salmon fishing maybe we should defund anything to do with salmon enhancement and let the chips fall where they may.
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Seeing you used wording of “all along” when at best it was open for 4 weeks in waters a distance away from Georgia straight makes it sound like there was all this plundering going on by the rec sector.
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LOL! If you'd quote me correctly and completely you would be far less likely to misrepresent what I said and put words in my mouth.
You'd also find additional context in post #34.
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overall 40 to 50% of chinook harvest has been by the Rec sector over the last many years. Excepting the Fraser, FNs take a smaller portion than either the rec or commercial sectors. Proportions will have changed for last year and this year.
--That is akin to saying: More flyfishers catch trout in lakes designated as fly fishing only... FN can fish in the rec opening if they choose to follow the rec methods, daily catch quota and area/time designations. Rec sector cannot buy a Net and fish in the FN or Commerial designated fisheries. Of course I would like to see continued adjustments in the various openings and quota's. The issue is when any sector continues to fish when they are not able to follow "all" of the escapement, conservation rules. This is like going to a River where no Trout can be kept but White fish can and using a treble barbed hook and justifying it by saying, I'm allowed to keep white fish here so that is what I am going to target and keep. I'm just going to ignore the other rule inteded to reduce the stress on by-catch of Trout which must be released.
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--That is akin to saying: More flyfishers catch trout in lakes designated as fly fishing only...
sorry but that doesn't make any sense ... at least to me and based on the hard numbers. If you were actual familiar with the catch statistics I can't see how you would say that.
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i do wonder why BC first nation's can't do something like this and be leaders at making sure they have enough fish to harvest and maybe even a few extras for the rest of Canada. Sure looks like it would be a win win for all involved.
(sorry, not all copied across)
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Coho Salmon Headed Upriver to Idaho
Marika Dobos
The Coho Salmon are just starting to get to Idaho, so it may take a couple weeks before chances of catching one become reasonable. For details on the Coho Salmon rules, please refer to the Coho Salmon Seasons and Rules.
For those of you interested in what this Coho Salmon run is looking like, we have provided the figure below. This figure shows how many Coho Salmon have been counted at Lower Granite Dam since 1995. The years where Coho Salmon fishing opportunities were provided in the past were 2014, 2017, and 2019.
In most years, over half the Coho Salmon destined for Idaho have passed over Bonneville Dam by September 15 which gives us some confidence in projecting how many will ultimately make it to Idaho this year. This year the run is looking stronger than expected, but the run also seems early which makes us think that anywhere from 8,000 to 12,000 Coho Salmon will make it to Lower Granite Dam. This is displayed in the light blue shaded area on the graph below. About 60% of these fish are destined for release locations in the Clearwater River basin and 40% are destined for the Grande Ronde River. At this point we are still working with the Nez Perce Tribe on what our harvest shares will be, but we are confident that enough are returning to provide harvest opportunities for both Tribal and non-Tribal fisheries.
coho_run_and_projection
Creative Commons Licence
Joe DuPont
The Coho Salmon program is a success story spearheaded by the Nez Perce Tribe. The Nez Perce Tribe started this program in 1994 by using surplus Coho Salmon eggs collected from the lower Columbia River. As the run began to build, the Nez Perce Tribe was able to use these returning fish for broodstock – fish that demonstrated the ability to migrate hundreds of miles to the ocean as smolts and back to the Clearwater River as adults. Not too surprising, the “localized” broodstock is producing offspring that have better survival rates than smolts coming from adults collected in the lower Columbia. What we hope this means is that Coho Salmon returns large enough to produce fishing opportunities will become more common. This seems to be happening as this will be the third year out of the past four where Coho Salmon returns have been large enough to provide some fishing opportunity.
Currently, the Nez Perce Tribe collects Coho Salmon for broodstock at Lower Granite Dam, Lapwai Creek, Dworshak Hatchery, and Clear Creek (Kooskia Hatchery). In addition, the Nez Perce Tribe outplants a portion of these returning fish into some of Clearwater River’s tributaries in an effort to start natural spawning populations.
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I believe many of them already do...the recovery of Okanagan Sockeye, Cowichan Chinook and the current healthy state of South Thompson all involved considerable work by local FN groups and others of course. Local FN groups operate a number of community hatcheries and enhancement or improvement projects
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Thx for the vid Rod,
The Salmon number problem is much bigger than First Nations fisheries even though they do impact the Fraser and other rivers tremendously.
I'm on the Fraser on a regular basis and what we see during the course of the year is mind numbing. Go to Sturgeon Slayers Instagram page and look at the multiple dead Sturgeon left in nets on the beach to rot. Same with Salmon. Shameful and sickening.
Chum Salmon are in deep trouble so are Pinks. Yes, last years Pink run was bigger than expected but still poor. 2 yrs previous it was terrible.
Watching 1000's of male Pinks been thrown back in the river because they are worth nothing is a waste, yet The Harrison Chum pet food contract the Natives have (not sure if they still are doing this) send those male Chum to the US. Why not Pinks also? At least take the males out of the net if they are still alive and release them so they have a chance to spawn.
Us sport fishers are also not angels on the water. I've seen people snagging black Springs in the Vedder and watch family members run down the bank fill their totes and drive away to only come back and see it happen again. This is common practice. Not a good practice to teach your kids.
I've seem anglers takes over their limit of Coho and Chum at the Nicomen Slough, Vedder and Fraser on a regular basis. We counted a least 20 poached Spring and Sockeye on the beach at the Port Mann boat launch a few days ago that the Vultures we eating.
The Albion test set numbers are scary low. In one 5 day stretch only 2 Sockeye were caught where it should be at least 100's.
Off shore fishing from other countries catch our Salmon as do we on many US fish.
My point is that the massive reduction of Salmon is a extremely wide spread problem with so many issues affecting the numbers. Nobody can bitch about the natives net fishery on the Fraser if they are not getting any fish because those fish are not their to be caught.
Yes we do need to clean up our own yard with this fishery issue. Make our limits smaller, educate people on how to fish properly and like you said Rod work together with First Nations to enhance the Salmon runs......
I feel some Nations will but there are a handful and we know who they are that will continue to do what they want, when they want with very little if any reaction from DFO. I'm not sure how many fisher people know that there are quite a few hatcheries that are owned and run by First Nations, so let's not paint them all with the same brush.
DFO have to pull their heads out of their @sses and change the rules in so many areas for our Salmon to make a successful come back. And please people let's not forget about the Sturgeon. They also need help especially from poaching.
well said, the only thing i would like to add is habit destruction and our every changing climate. i am ashamed of how the lower fraser gets treated.
either we all eat together or starve as individuals.
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I believe many of them already do...the recovery of Okanagan Sockeye, Cowichan Chinook and the current healthy state of South Thompson all involved considerable work by local FN groups and others of course. Local FN groups operate a number of community hatcheries and enhancement or improvement projects
I think we will be seeing a lot more FN involvement in fisheries management, restoration, enhancement and research in the coming years. Capacity has been slowly building and I believe this is what our present government wants.