Petition to House of Commons

Whereas:

We demand immediate changes to salmon regulations;

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans’s mandate to support fishing and the fishing economy changed to support mammals and marine life;

We ask for a balance between the fishing economy and the protection of oceans;

Fishermen want to protect salmon to ensure sustainability;

Chinook salmon stocks are highest in over a decade;

Port Renfrew fishing brings in $26M annually, was reduced to $16.5M in 2023 and will be a total loss in 2024;

Potential economic impacts include: loss of business for local stores, first nations, hotels, restaurants and the entire tourism industry;

Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) migration patterns show that they are not near Port Renfrew for majority of the year;

There are three main reasons for the decline of SRKW: pollution, noise, and food;

Pollution from urbanization, vessels, among others have not been addressed;

Pinniped population has dramatically increased and regularly swim up river, eat the salmon before they can reach the ocean to mature;

Noise from BC Ferries makes up 68%, merchant vessels make up 18%, and sport fishermen make up just 0.6% of the noise that impacts SRKW;

Last minute changes to the season is disastrous for businesses and should be done a season in advance; and

Adopt the status quo or an avoidance zone for the 2024 season to ensure the fishing economy survives until the regulations can be readdressed.

We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Port Renfrew and members of the BC Fishing Association, on behalf of all Canadians, call upon the House of Commons to make immediate adjustments to the 2024 fishing season and to find balance by allowing fishermen to catch Chinook salmon in the 2024 season through maintaining the status quo or implementing an avoidance zone.

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/...etition=e-4913