I heard it got quite heated as it should have as from my sources they tell me the populations including juvenile recruitment is very good in the Fraser system.
I do not follow this debates as much as maybe I should but I hear they wish to lump a Fraser closure starting in 2005 in with some other rivers that are in trouble.
It of course the sturgeon fishing is a large economic generator and many guides depend on it. If they were in trouble a closure should be implemented but by the Pit tagging goes on I think it proves things are find with the present C/R regulations.
Once closed it is a very difficult to get them open, we experienced that with spring salmon on the Fraser in the 80 and we had to battle to get them open again, that is why the Fraser Valley Salmon Society was formed. It was at the time just a knee jerk reaction by FOC.
Also a key point when you close a species to fishing you loose the eyes and ears that are out on the river reporting poaching, polluters etc. We have enough of that the way now as FOC has let their enforcement slip so bad this last few summers. How can you believe a government agency anyway that can not keep its own house in order.
If I get more info will forward to you or post.