Q and As – January 2014

Q and As – January 2014

Art Glass: A scientist from Campbell River told me DFO has destroyed seven of nine science libraries across Canada with the loss of all that science, particularly science that applies to water and rivers. They also closed the environmental experiment lakes in Ontario.

A: This Tyee article is a good summary of many of Harper Government (as Harper likes to call it) actions to dismantle our government science capability that Canadians have paid and continue to pay for:  http://thetyee.ca/News/2013/12/23/Canadian-Science-Libraries/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=231213..

The piece deals with closing the science library in Winnipeg, and then lists toward the bottom some of the other steps taken in the past year or so, including: gutting the Fisheries Act of environmental clauses (Sections: 35 and 36); doing the same thing with the Environmental Protection Act; firing scientists, including ones at Pat Bay; and other actions.

Chris Bos: The Board of Directors of the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition (SVIAC) and I would like to sincerely thank everyone for your memberships and support. During our first year, we have done a lot of work: 

 Secured official seats on the International Pacific Halibut Commission Conference Board and Provincial Government’s Freshwater Fisheries Regulations Advisory Committee;

2.   Launched a South Vancouver Island Chinook Revitalization initiative to increase local Chinook abundance;

3.  Attended numerous meetings and shared our vision with local angling businesses,  municipal, provincial and federal politicians, like-minded outdoor and angling associations, as well as some First Nations; and

4. Held our first Angling Alliance meeting with local angling clubs. 

A: Chris’ SVIAC email address is: chris@anglerscoalition.com. Get him to put you on his email list for the SVIAC Newsletter. The current one makes clear how much work is being done by the coalition in the early stages of forging alliances, outreach to politicians and contact with anglers and sport fishing businesses as ground work for chinook net pens in the Victoria area, among other things.

The AGM is Thursday, March 13, 2014, at the Sheraton at Four Points (behind Costco). They welcome volunteers.

FFSBC: The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has released its annual report for 2013 which can be found at: www.gofishbc.com. Download the report:  http://www.gofishbc.com/about-us/who-we-are/our-annual-report.aspx.

The Society is now 10 years old and has delivered 92 million fish to British Columbians. Their vision says it all: [we aim to deliver] the best freshwater fisheries in North America. Its sterile triploid trout/char/kokanee are famous across the continent. Its work with white sturgeon in the Kootenay and Columbia is an international program with international partners, and introduces 7,000 juvenile sturgeon every year. In addition, the Society raised sufficient funding to build and operate a permanent recovery facility for Nechako sturgeon in Vanderhoof.

In the 15 years prior to the FFSBC, resident angling declined 30%. Reversing the trend has been a central focus of the organization. Since 2005 the Learn to Fish program has introduced fishing to more than 100,000 children and parents. Participants learn about freshwater ecosystems, fish biology, fishing techniques, ethics and catching some trout. Free gear is available for short-term use. Just ask.

Fishing piers and other structures have been put in across the province. The Fishing in the City program has brought fish to where the people live, making it much easier to get hooked, er, enjoy fishing close to home where you can take your finny friend for dinner rather than mounting a major expedition to trap a trout. Fifty percent of city anglers say local lakes are their number one fishing destination. Anglers under 25 and young families make up a significant proportion of participants. This is good for our sport.

Do note the neat photo of lucky Mike Keehn who gets to walk into the wilderness on a backpack fish release to Bear Lake. Science includes recirculation, reducing water needs 60- to70-% and 50% reductions in electrical consumption. Their Fishing Buddies program has been a huge success with 40,000 registered in a program that matches experienced anglers with beginners.

Here are the fish releases by species: Anadromous Cutthroat – 29,700; Coastal Cutthroat – 35.8 K; Easter Brook Char – 408.5; Kokanee – 4,242.5; Rainbow Trout – 4,457.7; Steelhead Trout – 34.9; Westslope Cutthroat – 18.5; White Sturgeon – 22.0; Lake Char – 14.3; and, Total – 9,264,100.

699 Words

dcreid@catchsalmonbc.com