DFO going rogue again for 2022?
In 2021 DFO fisheries managers went rogue, ignoring the fisheries minister’s announcement of sweeping closures.
"And in 2022, it appears we can expect more of the same. 2022 is the dominant year for several of the 23 Fraser sockeye populations.
Managers have already said they intend to open the fishery in 2022, even though many Fraser sockeye populations are forecast to return well below target,
and some have been classified as ‘endangered.’ It is unclear what DFO intends to do in regards to the many other fisheries the minister slated for closure in 2021.
So, here we are facing a fishing season with a mixed bag of returns and a department as yet unwilling to reduce impacts on salmon and steelhead populations
that are expected to return below their biological targets, monitor fisheries for compliance, or embrace the minister’s commitments to closures for conservation purposes.
Unless the minister is willing to make sure DFO’s regional managers fall in line, I predict mostly business as usual for B.C.’s fisheries, with a few tweaks, lots of positive press releases and announcements, but little relief for struggling wild salmon populations."
Watershed Watch is currently engaged, on behalf of the Pacific Marine Conservation Caucus, in discussions with DFO to encourage them to implement the minister’s commitments.
https://watershedwatch.ca/greg-taylo...eid=a1e77eff14
Last edited by high horse Hal; 05-19-2022 at 07:49 AM.
Glad to say I have hunted Northern BC
Simon Fraser had pretty good judgement on what he found in BC