JOHN CUMMINS, M.P.
Delta-Richmond East
NEWS RELEASE
August 11, 2004
Fisheries Injustice Continues
DELTA-"Commercial fisherman in BC have a right to be angry yet again
with the Liberal government over the failed management of the Fraser
River Salmon fishery this year," said John Cummins, M.P., Delta-Richmond
East.
This season for commercial fishermen on the Fraser River concludes today
with fisherman having fished a total of 39 hours over 3 days including
the 2 hour opening today.
This compares with 222 hours of commercial fishing for the Sto:lo Indian
band from the Port Mann Bridge to Sawmill Creek in the Fraser Canyon and
48 hours for the Tsawwassen/Musqueam bands fishing at the mouth of the
river.
The Musqueam had a 14 hour fishery on August 8th in which the Tsawwassen
may not have participated. Refer to the following table for native only
commercial fishing hours:
30-July 4-Aug 6-Aug 8-Aug
9-Aug Total
Port Mann-Sawmill - Sto:lo. 72 96 24 30
222
Tsawwassen & Musqueam 24 24 48
Musqueam only 14
14
These fisheries are only the tip of the iceberg. These bands have been
fishing in a bogus food, social and ceremonial fishery almost every
weekend since late March. Fish are caught in quantities far in excess
of food needs and routinely sold.
The Department is aware of these illegal sales and because it continues
to provide these fishing opportunities, can rightly be considered to be
complicit in this illegal activity.
The mismanagement of the Fraser River fishery costs the provincial
economy tens of millions of dollars each year. "It's high time Mr.
Campbell and Mr. Plant called their federal Liberal cousins to heel on
this matter," said John Cummins, M.P., Delta Richmond East.
Contact: John Cummins, M.P.
(613) 992-2957, (cell) (604) 970-0937, (604) 940-8040 or
www.johncummins.ca