News Release:
A Failure to Consult, Manage and Conserve: Moose in the Cariboo
Quesnel, B.C. The annual resident hunter allocation for bull moose in Management Units 5-03, 5-04 a/b, 5-5, 5-12a, 5-13a, and 5-14 was 250 from 2010 through 2014. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is proposing to reduce resident hunter allocation for bull moose to 170 for the 2016 hunting season, more than a 30% decline.
The reduction is part of a reconciliation agreement between the TSilhqot’in First Nations and the B.C. government. According to government, the TSilhqot’in have agreed to shift their harvest from cows and calves to bull moose with the difference made up by reducing the number that resident hunters may utilize. While shifting the harvest is a part of moose recovery, government has failed to consult the public orprovide long-term funding and measurable objectives for moose recovery.
The Cariboo region has a long history of similar changes without a strategic approach to wildlife and habitat conservation. “Mule deer, sheep, caribou and moose populations have declined significantly in the Cariboo over the last 30 years. This downward spiral mirrors the trend in government funding, capacity, and its interest in biodiversity conservation. Resident hunters used to sustainably harvest over 2,000 moose per year in the entire Cariboo – we expect the resident hunter allocation in the entire region to be less than 800 for 2016,” said Jesse Zeman, Resident Priority Program Manager.
B.C. is one of the most biologically diverse jurisdictions in North America and at the same time one of the most under-funded. Instead of investing to bringing our natural capital back, government has chosen to monitor a declining population, and attempt to create division between those who care about the resource.
Government is acting as an autonomous agent, disregarding the public’s interest in fish, wildlife and habitat. “Cutting the public out of the process is becoming the norm. We have seen this in the Peace with Site C, and with the Peace-Liard moose management plan where government has not consulted or engaged the public,” said Gerry Paille Wildlife Committee Chair.
The BCWF Wildlife Committee calls for immediate creation of a moose recovery plan for the Cariboo region. The BCWF sees a moose recovery program containing the following essential components: funding, science, objectives and collaboration. The plan needs to set legislated objectives for moose populations and look at cumulative effects of resource extraction, access, and predation on moose productivity and survival. The approach needs to include First Nations and non-First Nations interests.
The BC Wildlife Federation has a history of working in collaboration with First Nations to sustainably conserve and enhance biodiversity. The BC Wildlife Federation will continue to partner with First Nations to drive positive change for biodiversity conservation in British Columbia.
For more information contact:
Jesse Zeman, BCWF Resident Priority Program Manager Phone: 250-878-3799 Email: jessezeman@gmail.com
Gerry Paille BCWF Wildlife Committee Chair, Phone: 250-262-1612 Email: gpaille@me.com
Attend the Quesnel Information Session February 17 from 7-9 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion, 262 Kinchant Street
Background:
The BCWF calls for a moose recovery program containing the following essential components:
Funding:
British Columbia is one of North America’s most biodiverse jurisdictions and is at an all-time low in terms of funding and capacity related to natural resource management and enforcement in B.C. Most fish and wildlife departments across North America (in jurisdictions which are smaller and less biodiverse than BC) operate on budgets in the hundreds of millions. In contrast B.C. operates on a budget closer to $25 million. While most jurisdictions in North America have dedicated funding models for wildlife management, B.C. does not.
Instead of funding fish and wildlife management, and setting landscape level objectives for species such as moose, caribou, mule deer, and sheep, government has chosen to reduce public access and allocation.
Inventory and Objectives:
Comprehensive inventory work needs to be done in the area so that moose management and the corresponding regulations are based on science. A target number for moose in the management area needs to be established.
Simply monitoring dwindling wildlife populations and biodiversity is not an acceptable approach. Without goals and objectives, monitoring becomes a convenient process which lacks accountability and inevitably results in a gradual, but long-term decline. Many caribou, moose, steelhead, salmon, and sheep populations are at historical lows yet only a few caribou populations have tangible, results based recovery plans. Objectives at the landscape level, including species specific targets, should be identified and legislated to ensure decision makers are accountable to biodiversity and the public.
Cumulative effects from fire suppression, high road density, and resource extraction such as salvage logging are all having an impact. Habitat, predation, and access all needs to be looked at, and management actions must be based on science. Continuing to allow the resource to dwindle is not in the public interest.
Collaboration:
First Nations and key stakeholders should be a part of a moose recovery plan through a roundtable process. The BC Wildlife Federation has a history of working in collaboration with First Nations to sustainably conserve and enhance biodiversity.
The BCWF finds it objectionable that the proposal was derived through government to government consultations while shutting out other major stakeholders. This approach creates conflict between people who live in British Columbia, and fails to adequately protect and enhance wildlife.
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Originally Posted by hunter1947
