bigguy, is there a point to this beside generating a hype that would only create more pressure and tension on a fishery that does not really need more publicity as it is not the best representation of the sportfishing community?
I take it that you heard this while fishing on the bar? No, there are no upcoming scheduled closures, so there is still time for all to get more fish.
More fish, how many more does one need?
As a moderator, I like to keep my position neutral, but occasionally I like to make some commentaries when I recognize a movement that completely goes against my belief. This is one of those occasions. Originally I wasn't going to bother but bigguy's post struck a nerve, which inspired this post. I have nothing against bigguy by the way, please read on.
Since the beginning of this year's non-tidal Fraser River sockeye opening, reports of good catches began to roll in. That's good, the sportfishing sector has an allocated amount for harvest. It's nice to see people being able to bring some fish home to eat. After all, part of the joy in fishing is always having the ability to bring home some catches, show off in front of the family members, boost the ego (not necessarily a bad thing), and enjoy the tasty treat.
I've received emails from some, who obviously dislike the fact that anglers are catching and harvesting sockeye salmon by a method that isn't precisely defined as sportfishing. The concern is that there are too many reports on sockeye catches, and these should be minimized. Although I personally have no interests in reading these reports of sockeye catches, I have no intention to deny these reports on the forum. There is an opening, people are catching fish legally, we like to provide all users as much priveleges in this discussion forum as possible, so go for it.
Although the reports of catches don't offend me, the attitude that is being brewed from this fishery is alarming. It always has, but it is just rubbed in my face more in these discussions now. I thought, surely those who have enough common sense would realize something is not right here.
I sense that many are glorifying this fishery. Yes, the fish aren't biting, it is purely a harvest, but can't people do it with moderation? In some posts, novices are being taught how to improve the catches without being explained the concept behind this fishery. We even feel the need to compare the amount of seasonal catches as if it is a race or competition. I feel a sense of urgency from some, fearing that the river may close any minute from now and not being able to take more fish home. I look at the numbers of fish kept individually with disbelief. It could almost be perceived that if one does not get his or her two dozen sockeye salmon and fulfilling his or her annual quota of chinook salmon, satisfaction would not be achieved. We have discussions of people getting excited about larger sockeye salmon moving through and the need to catch them. Whatever happened to the need of leaving larger spawners to sustain a better future run?
To me, the problem isn't so much on how these fish are caught. I've lived in countries where catching methods would break every ethics in BC, so as long as this is regulated as a legal method, I have no objections. That being said, I find no satisfaction from casting, drifting and retrieving with hope of something may accidentally be hooked until I obtain my two fish. I need flexibility. I want to be challenged and feel that frustration when the bait, lure or fly does not work. Those are my needs, which maybe different to how others perceive what fishing is all about. It's fine by me, I have no problem with it.
Below are the problems that I fear.
Unrealistic expectation
The Fraser River sockeye fishery is often the focus of local media, therefore it most likely receives more newcomers than any other fisheries. Without guidance, newcomers purchase a rod/reel combo, some hooks, bouncing betties and head to the well known bars on the Fraser River. Most of them would end up catching some fish, or seeing others having success repeatedly. Since this is the first kind of fishing they've ever experienced, it creates an unrealistic expectation. In reality, most other fisheries do not yield large amount of catches unless you know what to do. In reality, most other fisheries do not involve people standing next to each other while trying to intercept any fish that move through a river by any mean.
Devaluing a catch
In human nature, things that come easily and frequently are not as appreciated as items that come in special occasions. In our society, surplus items are cheap, while rare items are expensive. At $5/lb, commercially bought sockeye salmon are treated like gold, while sockeye salmon caught during the recreational opening are often priced by the amount of money spend on gas and fishing tackles. Recreationally caught sockeye salmon are usually cheaper. I'm not implying that all anglers who participate in this fishery do not appreciate their catches, but somehow I get such a feeling when reading the numbers of catches to date by various individuals. It almost seems that we are back to square one, "There are so many sockeye salmon in the river, taking two more is not going to hurt them." This brings up the next point.
Wild runs they are
The sockeye salmon that you are harvesting, are not hatchery raised. They are all products of streams, where some will hopefully end up and create the next generation. The sockeye fishery is macro-managed by grouping all harvestable fish as summer runs. These fish, that you are taking, come from many tributaries of the Fraser River. Some runs are big, some runs are tiny. By specifically taking the larger fish out, you maybe skewing the population dynamics. The reality is, some tiny runs will suffer more than others, eventually will extinct. Of course the First Nations and commercial sector have a larger impact due to the number of fish harvested by them, but what if we reduce some of our catches could give some of these runs a boost? The point is, take the amount you can eat without stuffing yourself, there isn't a need to tally up as many daily quotas as possible until it closes.
The mood in this fishing community is quite a contrast to what was happening one year ago, when many are angry at DFO for having a closure throughout the entire August. Today we see happy anglers all around because there are sockeyes to harvest, I find it a sad affair. I find it baffling and a bit pathetic that the sportfishing sector complains whenever they are not granted but all seem to be forgotten if given. I am disappointed that we focus so much negative attention on the First Nations fisheries (not so much a FN problem, but the need for a better management) when we are shut out, but we don't bring up the problems at all when there are fish to catch. If people wish to see positive impacts on the resource that we utilize, the first step maybe to abandon this parent-child relationship with DFO and work with them closely instead. Join an affiliation that has a representation at your local SFAC.
There isn't an expectation from me by making this post. These are simply observations with no clear solutions in sight. If I want solutions I wouldn't be using this forum to achieve it (since this forum takes up 80% of the website traffic, which is only used by 10% of the total visitors). If I have enough energy and time, I would be pushing for regulation changes to stop such degeneration (annual quota, maybe even no future sockeye openings). It will happen one day.
These are general statements and are not meant to pinpoint on any individual. I hope those who read this may find it as a good reminder of what sportfishing is really about. People are free to continue celebrating the ongoing Fraser River sockeye opening, but don't act surprised or rant about the methods that others are using on the Vedder River in a few weeks from now.
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Topic: Closing??? (Read 5816 times)