In a rare display of unity today, BC’s leading sport fishing organizations and First Nations from the Fraser River released for public viewing their video titled “River Manners” on Youtube as part of their efforts to find ways to get along in the nation's largest salmon producing river.

The video was produced by a joint working group of sport fishing groups and First Nations who have been working over the last year in the lower Fraser River to find ways to get along in the best interest of the fishery. With more First Nations and sport fishers on the river, the groups have acknowledged that there is more potential for conflict. With declining salmon stocks and a resurgence of selective in-river fisheries, fishers from all sectors and interests are facing growing pressure over limited space on the river-banks.

The video is one way that these groups are taking a leadership role on behalf of their respective fishing communities. “.. it’s not just manners and etiquette out here”, says Ed George, Region 2 President of the BC Wildlife Federation, “it’s common sense”.

“They’re showing the rest of the fishermen in their respective communities that they’re tackling these issues, that they’re trying to find solutions, and others will follow them” says Ernie Crey from the Sto:lo Tribal Council and member of the working group. “They have to find ways to fish with one-another and share the space that’s increasingly limited on the lower Fraser River so that everyone can enjoy the fishery”.

Funding for the project was provided by the Fraser Salmon and Watershed’s Program, Living Rivers, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The video production effort was also endorsed by BC Government, the Sport Fishing Advisory Board and the RCMP.

Send us a news tip! | Back to Fishy News