http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/050620.htmlA resolution dialogue process between Fraser Valley anglers and First Nations has been proposed and planned. The proposed meetings will be facilitated by Jessica Bratty of Fraser Basin Council. DFO and RCMP will also be present at these meetings. The recreational anglers are represented by selected members of the Upper Fraser Sportfishing Advisory Committee. The goal of these future meetings is to create better understanding between both user groups of the same resource and eventually develop a better management of the Fraser River fisheries.
This dialogue process was first suggested late last year after the Fraser River season was over. A month ago, Stolo Tribal Council put forward four questions for the recreational angling representatives as they want to have a better understanding of who we are before any meeting proceeds. Members of the Upper Fraser Sportfishing Advisory Committee met with DFO and Fraser Basin Council a month ago to develop a letter that went out to the Stolo Tribal Council today. The letter addresses our concerns and expectations of this process. Once the letter has been read by members of the First Nations, meeting dates will hopefully be proposed so the process can begin.
This is a small step towards a better Fraser River fishery, but the process is a long one. The social and environmental issues that we hope to tackle can not be solved at a few meetings. If relationship between the two major user groups of the same resource can improve in the long run then there just might be hope for the Fraser River fisheries and fish stocks.
To view the letter, please go to this link:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/file/050620.pdf