Nuu-chah-nulth Poise to Block Herring Fishery

[IronNoggin]

An Open Letter to B.C. Commercial Herring Fishermen regarding 2015 season:

January 6, 2015

In mid-December the Minister of Fisheries made the decision to open the west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI) to commercial roe and spawn-on-kelp herring fisheries in 2015. Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations oppose this decision and recommend that B.C. commercial herring fishermen do not select the WCVI as their seine or gillnet fishing area for 2015.

Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations were successful in 2014 in obtaining an injunction prohibiting DFO from opening the WCVI commercial herring fisheries. The 2014 Federal Court decision contemplates that Nuu-chah-nulth Nations might have to reapply for an injunction if similar concerns persist in 2015. Unfortunately, the Minister’s decision to open the WCVI in 2015 is leading Nuu-chah-nulth Nations back to seeking an injunction against the 2015 commercial fishery; legal counsel has been instructed to prepare an application to the Federal Court. In 2014, commercial herring fishermen that chose the WCVI area were not allowed to fish.

Nuu-chah-nulth fishermen and community members remain concerned that WCVI herring stocks are not sufficiently rebuilt to allow commercial fishing. The DFO contracted WCVI spawn assessment observed less than 15,000 tons of adult herring spawn in 2014. In contrast, the DFO herring assessment model indicates that the 2014 spawn was twice that observed by the assessment divers. Nuu-chah-nulth fishermen and community members set trees and boughs in all known spawning locations in 2014 to collect spawn on bough for home use. All WCVI areas reported either no spawn on trees or very few layers of eggs, indicating very low herring abundance in 2014, corresponding with the dive spawn assessment of about 15,000 tons.

All four WCVI Nuu-chah-nulth commercial “J” spawn-on-kelp licences will not be operating in 2015 due to these on-going WCVI abundance concerns. Nuu-chah-nulth Nations request that B.C. commercial seine and gillnet herring fishermen choose to fish abundant herring stocks in the Strait of Georgia or Prince Rupert, where stocks remain strong. Again, Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations recommend that B.C commercial herring fishermen do not select the WCVI as their seine or gillnet fishing area for 2015.

On behalf of the 14 Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations,
Debra Foxcroft, OBC, President
Ken Watts, Vice-President

http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2015-01-06/open-letter-bc-commercial-herring-fishermen-regarding-2015-season

[IronNoggin]

Support from United Fisherman and Allied Workers Union on herring fishery

January 8, 2015

An open letter to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and BC commercial herring fishermen:

In support of the Nuu‐chah‐nulth Tribal Council request dated Jan 5, 2015, the United Fisherman and Allied Workers Union – Unifor recommends to all BC commercial herring fishermen that they do not select WCVI as their seine or gillnet area for upcoming 2015 herring season. The decision to support this request was not taken lightly and based on four factors: independent science review of the herring stocks in the WCVI region; our own fishermen’s assessment of the state of these WCVI stocks; respect for local First Nations insights; and willingness to build a collaborative understanding of the state of these herring in our shared ecosystem.

http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2015-01-08/support-united-fisherman-and-allied-workers-union-herring-fishery

[goatdancer]

The FN fishery will not be operating. That should send a message to those @#$%&**s in Ottawa that something is terribly wrong. Time to use proper science on issues like this. My hat's off to the Nuu-chah-nulth for their actions. Also to the United Fishermen for their support.

[Vladimir Poutine]

The FN fishery will not be operating. That should send a message to those @#$%&**s in Ottawa that something is terribly wrong. Time to use proper science on issues like this. My hat's off to the Nuu-chah-nulth for their actions. Also to the United Fishermen for their support.

x2. DFO makes MOE look like saints when it comes to proper policy. I really believe that DFO sets all policy with a blindfold and a dart board.

[Sitkaspruce]

x2. DFO makes MOE look like saints when it comes to proper policy. I really believe that DFO sets all policy with a blindfold and a dart board.

And with big donations from Jimmy P and the others who own the fisheries of BC. They don't really care if there is sufficient stocks, they just want the $$$ it generates.

Glad to see the different groups involved in this are working together to show those idiots in Ottawa and Vancouver that the locals know more about what is going on in their back yard!!

Cheers

SS

[SeaScene]

Very nice to see this .... "shared eco system"... and DFO? ... we need a public enquiry.

[The Hermit]

Good to see the FN are willing to take their own advise!

[303savage]

Commercial fishing for herring is like a cattle raising Cattle but subdividing his hay fields.
Herring are the most important forage fish for most fish .

[Spy]

This is my take, ( get out the tinfoil) Ottawa wants the fishery to crash, If they can get rid of the pesky salmon & whales it will make it easier for big oil to do business! Start with the herring & the rest will follow. Our fishery should be controlled by the province not the Feds.

[IronNoggin]

National Geographic has their say on the matter: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/02/150211-herring-decline-british-columbia-fishery-seabirds-environment/

And pretty much "Nails It". :sad:

Cheers,
Nog

[guest]

And with big donations from Jimmy P and the others who own the fisheries of BC. They don't really care if there is sufficient stocks, they just want the $$$ it generates.

Glad to see the different groups involved in this are working together to show those idiots in Ottawa and Vancouver that the locals know more about what is going on in their back yard!!

Cheers

SS


Here here ....... Well said SS

[IronNoggin]

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/feds-reopen-herring-fishery-over-scientist-and-first-nations-objections

Complete Bullshit from Harper's Motley Crew once again! Makes you wonder just how many "Judges" are riding in their back pocket!

“The minister rejected the advice of her entire department — not just the scientists, but also her senior managers, and senior staff,”

UnReal! :evil:

Nog

[IronNoggin]

And DFO Plunges MADLY On...

http://commonsensecanadian.ca/dfo-uses-stealth-to-open-herring-fishery-despite-first-nations-ban/

Seems The Dino won't be satisfied until the Herring are All Long Gone! :evil:

Nog

[Spy]

Im telling you they are trying to crash the fishery for big oil !

[adriaticum]

I'm getting a little tired of government's exploitation of our natural resources for the financial benefit of the few and the consumption of the world.
F them!

[The Hermit]

Greenpeace going to sink some locals?

[bigdogeh]

As someone else mentioned in another forum I belong too, the DFO and government are almost as bad as poachers.
pretty sad state of affairs when the people (government, DFO) that should be trying to guard, protect and conserve the resource so we may have a viable resource for future generations are themselves the biggest threat to the resource. especially considering the importance of this species being at the bottom of the foodchain...
I blame this soley on the top leadership of the federal government. and I don't think our provincial Liberal government is really much less to blame. I didn't hear them speaking out but I wouldn't have expected it anyways as all they want to do is sell all our resources off for the quickest dollar $$$. http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/images/smilies/mad.png

[Spy]

Who of you are willing to stand up together with the first nations and stop this fishery from happening! I heard on the radio today that the first nations are going to do what they have to ! What that means is anyones guess but it sounds scary!

[Spy]

Victory :-) http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/breaking-heiltsuk-celebrate-fishing-boats-forced-leave-traditional-waters

[BgBlkDg]

No, merely a small delay in the systematic rape of and total control over Canada's resources by international mega-corporations. They WILL NOT give up!

I often wonder, WHY, so few Canucks, do not seem to SEE what the various corporatist governments relatively recent support for the "land claims" of various aboriginal groups is REALLY all about.

It is ironic and VERY frightening that this really started when the various environmental groups finally reached the levels of influence, power and general public acceptance that directly impacted the huge profits of these resource corporations. I saw that very quickly, the government minions of corporate entities and the corps. themselves, began to act in a way that would eventually allow them to "buy" the aboriginals as "partners", etc. and thus continue the plundering of Canada.

At my age, this is now more a source of amused dismay than during the decades I was so active in environmentalism, but, those here who are younger than about 60 WILL rue this vile travesty of democracy and may well live to see Canada, a defiled wasteland, much like "Tar Island" or "The Sidney Pits".

The enemy is in our sights and WILL NEVER give up.......FIGHT BACK!!!!

[f350ps]

Hahahaha...............the war paint was a nice touch!! K

[yamadirt 426]

Looks like they hit near the quota anyhow. Can see how that is a win.