Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: chris gadsden on September 29, 2004, 01:26:16 PM

Title: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: chris gadsden on September 29, 2004, 01:26:16 PM
Just received from Bill a press release that the charges layed against him for the illegal killing of the sockeye on Peg Leg Bar a few weeks ago have now been dropped by FOC.

I have sent the press release to Rodney and I am sure he will post it for all read.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: Fish Assassin on September 29, 2004, 01:36:37 PM
Doesn't surprise me in the least ! DFO had to lay charges so they can't be accused of not enforcing the regulations.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: chris gadsden on September 29, 2004, 03:14:30 PM
Yes, you are right on Fulcrum_29.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: JP PATCHES on September 29, 2004, 04:04:26 PM
Yes guys & think of all the lost media coverage.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: DragonSpeed on September 29, 2004, 05:05:38 PM
Yup, what we see here is FOC laying the charge in public - Seen to be doing "right"
And then, quietly dropping the charges hoping it will all go away without having to have it scrutinized under the harsh magnifying glass of the law.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: reach on September 30, 2004, 09:14:23 AM
This is nothing new.  They did it to John Cummins before too I think.  He always wanted to go to court to challenge the AFS but DFO never would.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: Gooey on September 30, 2004, 09:40:44 AM
This is absolute my smelly socks.  I am steaming mad...what kind of a message does this send out????

What will all the poachers think, what about people who reel in a snagged sockeye. 

The protest was to prove unequal application of the law (racially based)...well, I guess the protesters at least proved that FOC is INCAPABLE of enforcing the law at any level...maybe that can bring about some positive change.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: The Gilly on September 30, 2004, 11:29:48 AM
Too bad.  We could have used the media coverage.  I mentioned on another post that DFO should charge/fine everyone that poaches a salmon.  I still hold to that.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: reach on September 30, 2004, 11:41:35 AM
I believe this disproves the theory that their unequal application of the law is racially based.

It proves that it is politically based.  In both cases of non-enforcement, going to trial would lead to a serious discussion of DFO policy and a harsh scrutiny of very sensitive racial issues.  If problems were found with the policy, probably some bureaucrats would lose their jobs.  I would bet that dropping the charges (avoiding confrontation) in both cases (natives & Bill Otway - how's your ego, Bill, knowing you're treated as the same level of threat to the resource as the entire native fishing community?  ;D ) is a CYA move by the bureaucrats.

Something is rotten in the state of DFO.  Their priorities are messed up.  Protection of the fish is not first on the list as it should be.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: Rodney on September 30, 2004, 02:22:14 PM
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/2004/0930_1.html
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: Bushwacker on October 01, 2004, 11:20:10 AM
It's like watching someone throw a bucket of water into the ocean.There is a big splash and seconds later the stirred waters will return to normal. Unfortunately the inept Fed. Govt. is faced with a lot more pressing problems than a decimated sockeye run. If you want to see changes get rid of this bozo bunch of politicians first.
Next year this same song and dance will again be reprised. ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: canoe man on October 01, 2004, 10:42:18 PM
why wait till next year fraser is closed right now and im pissed off
lets go bar fish for coho, and see what they do
this is nothing but cya and its really starting to get under my skin

but on the other hand we have not heard about the meeting on the 20th
how did it go , have things been advanced, are we waiting for another meeting
what is going on ?????????????
cnm
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: IronNoggin on October 07, 2004, 01:29:02 PM
I tend to strongly agree with BushWhacker's statements above.

More on the same matter from another site:
http://discussion.anglingbc.com/viewtopic.php?t=543

Obviously Disgusted  >:(
Nog
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: chris gadsden on October 07, 2004, 02:19:44 PM
I tend to strongly agree with BushWhacker's statements above.

More on the same matter from another site:
http://discussion.anglingbc.com/viewtopic.php?t=543

Obviously Disgusted  >:(
Nog
Excellent post on the other site Nog. Thanks for your support of SDA.

Even though the charge was dropped against Bill all was not lost as the taking of the sockeye and the protest in Kelowna did lead to a meeting with Regan. Time will tell if Regan takes the message he received at the meeting from the SDA, BC Wildlife Federations and others that attended the meeting. The hope is Regan instructs his FOC senior staff to start dealings with all the illegall activity that went on this season and is still going on.

At least the SDA can not be blamed for not trying to correct things and they did get the message out more than ever before in my mind to the politicians and the general public.

 I donot know at this time what the next move the SDA executive will be but I know they have not given up. They will continue to try to work to save thousands of salmon and as well large numbers of our precious steelhead lost each year to illegal fishing. Salmon and steelhead both badly needed on the spawning grounds if we are to protect these fish for future generations to enjoy like we presently do.

We owe it to our children, grandchildren and the fish as well. We must keep on trying before it is too late.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: JP PATCHES on October 07, 2004, 02:58:23 PM
I agree Chris, that was an excellent post on the other site. You said pretty much what we all think Nog. I think Oliver is bored & trying a little forum trolling......well said Nog.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: IronNoggin on October 07, 2004, 05:29:49 PM
Thanks to both Chris and JP for the kind words, and YES Chris, that support is heartfelt. I do hope this current travesty comes to an end, before the stocks do! & I do admire the front-line folks like Bill working to that end.

We have a very similiar, albiet proportionally smaller problem of the same nature here. The shocking and very disturbing result this year was the near-decimation of summer run steel. The latest check on the numbers show just a tad less than 300 of these poor buggers through the counters, waaaay down from 2,500+  :( Hope they learn before it's too late, but in the case of Stamp summer's, that point may just have been crossed  :( >:( :(
Damn good thing for the winters there's nothing for the Government-supported and therefore uncontollable sector to fish for at that time of year!

Yes, JP, the fellow was trolling on that site, and I'd say he hooked one he wasn't prepared for. Me. BTW: There was some interesting comeback...

Keep up the good work! It IS sincerely appreciated.

Cheers,
Nog

Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: rerigger on October 07, 2004, 07:03:59 PM
they won't learn
because they can't learn
polls are more important than fact
how the poll scews the numbers is irrelevant
we are governed by eunichs
sad but true
even sadder canada is not alone
to many othe countries are even worse
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: Hiker on October 07, 2004, 11:47:21 PM
I am no law expert but I am wondering if law was broken by DFO droping the charges. It isn't like somebody hit me in the face, I changed my mind later and decided to drop charges. Aren't they obligated to enforce the law, and if somebody drops charges without legal explanation, wouldn't that person be breaking the law. How about a prosecutor not wanting to charge a killer because that would endarge his position as he is a relative of a very important politician? Shouldn't there be a way to make a person who decided to drop charges accountable? Otherwise there is no end with this kind of stuff. I am not at all sure if this is possible but hope Bill have layers available who could help him with this.
Title: Re: Fishing Charges Dropped Against SDA Chairman
Post by: canoe man on October 08, 2004, 07:24:16 PM
thats a damn good point hiker
worth looking into sda
cnm