From Rod Clapton:
Myself, Fred Helmer & Oliver Rutschmann attended the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance meeting which included approximately 14 F/N people representing Fraser River bands from Tswassen to Yale. We presented the mandate of the FRSA & also introduced points of common concern to both communities. These included conservation, concern for the future fishing opportunities for our children, desire for safe respectful fisheries & mutual concern how DFO is managing the fishery. The meeting lasted over an hour which demonstrated interest as our original allocated time was 45 minutes.
The initial reception from the LFFA members was guarded but relaxed a bit as the meeting progressed. Comments from the group were very candid & primarily centred on past conflicts on the river & demonstrated lack of respect for F/N constitutional rights. Print media & social media comments were flagged as often offensive & racist although it was admitted they have some problems with their own members. We countered with the position that we cannot police all the rec anglers & we have made very significant progress monitoring our social sites & ensuring that racist or profane comments are not posted. We suggested that the majority of the members of the rec community support the objectives of the FRSA including respectful cooperative dialogue with other Fraser River sectors & unfortunately too much attention is given to anonymous individuals who are always looking for a fight.
All parties very aware of SARA implications on all our fisheries & LFFA aware that they must also fish more selectively. They indicated their fisheries cold be improved which although obvious to us was an important concession. They also stressed that recreational interference in their sanctioned fisheries must be eliminated particularly as their opportunities have been reduced. This is a major point which has been addressed in past Peacemaker meetings. The issue of poaching was not addressed at this meeting to ensure civil discourse but is obvious to all & a discussion point relating to enforcement for a future meeting.
Seal predation was flagged as an issue by the LFFA which is an important factor in potential culling. Angler education & respect for F/N heritage was a hot button & we reminded them that respect for all user groups has been a priority for initiatives such as Peacemakers & perhaps that venue should be used as a springboard for moving forward with an ongoing process which can review many of the issues flagged at this meeting. We reiterated that todays meeting cannot be a "one off". We demonstrated that the FRSA is sincere about continuing respectful dialogue as the only way to ensure our fisheries are preserve for future generation. We stressed that a unified voice denouncing DFO mismanagement can be very effective in creating change beneficial to all. We suggested that a Fraser River Round Table could be a useful venue which has proven effective in other areas. Be assured we will continue to promote.
Some may suggest we should have been more forceful advancing the concerns of the rec anglers. We agreed prior to the meeting that the primary intent was to develop sufficient interest for future meetings Controversial issues will be agenda items for these future meetings. Be assured we represented the rec community professionally & demonstrated that we are deserving of respect as equals. Issues of concern to the Rec community will be flagged at future meetings.
I know Fred & Oliver agree the meeting was constructive & the challenge now is to build on any momentum established. We will be following up with the LFFA toward ongoing consultation.
Author
Topic: Meeting between FRSA and LFFA (Read 1892 times)