I am away for most of the day and will be attending the SDA meeting tonight to discuss the game plan for the protest against FOC. Please keep this discussion going as I mentioned above our salmon are counting on us to help them, it seems a lot of other people (FOC) are not or even caring.

a ways up this thread fishin freak asks, "All right this is definetly worth writing about, anyone have any contact info for the "government"?  But so far no addresses.  I'm not Canadian, but I will write as a concerned neighbor--I've done it before--but I need addresses (email if possible).

Very soon the threatened Thompson Coho will be passing through.

Maybe the only nice thing about this blatant disregard for the fish by the govt' is that it motivates action; ideally in a huge movement.

I just fired off this email and will also send the same thing by writing.

Honorable Minister Geoff Regan,

I write to you today in disgust over the handling of the native fishery in the Fraser River in British Columbia.  I can not believe that you and your government can sit by and watch the native fishery decimate our salmon stocks.  The natives are now allowed to use drift nets in the Fraser River in the Chilliwack area.  This type of fishery was illegal until some were reported fishing in this manner.  Now, after some negotiations, it is now legal.  Do I interpret this to mean that if I do something illegal that I can negotiate for it to be legalized?  The Fraser River fishery is being completely mishandled by the Federal Government and DFO.

I am pleading with you to intervene and stop this disgusting rape of this valuable resource.  There are enough fish for everyone if the fishery is managed properly.  However, the current situation is doing nothing but bringing hatred back into the fold.  As a recreational fisherman, I enjoy any opportunity I get to go out and enjoy the environment with my children. I would like my children to grow up in a country where everyone is equal, free of hate and where they can enjoy the nature that Canada provides.  I fear however that we are heading down the path of hatred and environmental disaster.  I have had family in this country since 1683 and it is about time that we are treated as equals.  

I do not believe that anyone would have concern regarding food and ceremonial fishing by our Native Canadians. But, what is happening today and tomorrow and furthermore on our river is nothing more that profiteering by one ethnic group.  Some would call it racism.


c.c.    Paul Forseth, MP, New Westminster-Coquitlam
   Phil Eidsvik, Executive Director, Fisheries Survival Coalition
   John Cummins, MP, Delta-Richmond East, Fisheries & Oceans Critic


I hope it does some good.  Lets have everyone do it!!!!!

 Hon. Geoff Regan

 Political Affiliation: Liberal Caucus

 Constituency: Halifax West

 Province: Nova Scotia

 Telephone: (613) 996-3085

 Fax: (613) 996-6988

 Email: Regan.G@parl.gc.ca

Underlining underway.

I sent this:

Dear Geoff Regan,
    I'm not one of your constituents; I'm a concerned neighbor.
    I understand that you have something to do with the recent decision to allow first nations people to use drift nets in part of the Fraser River in British Columbia.  I know from personal experience that this is also happening in the Bella Coola area, legal or not.  I think you shot yourself squarely in the foot on this one.
    I suspect you are not a sportsman, otherwise you would understand that the only worse thing you could have done would be to encourage people to throw dynamite in the rivers.  Please believe that I am not exaggerating here.  
    I don't understand the decision making process in whatever department is in charge of fisheries, but if the result of that process is to allow any group to grossly abuse runs of fish, then the process has gone seriously awry.
    I'm sitting here trying to come up with a way of characterizing this decision to allow some group of people to use drift nets.  It's not even good enough to be called short-sighted.  It is just plain wrong headed, detrimental, racially biased, uninformed, and dumb.  I encourage you to do what you can to correct this deplorable situation before there is more dammage done to the fisherey in BC, to the relations between first nations people and everyone else who lives or fishes in BC, and to your reputation.
 
Sincerely,
Keith Ramsay

Screw That!!!! if i see a bunch of morons coming in masks and doing whatever, i stand my ground. i freeking refuse to be pushed around anymore, no matter the circumstances. i am sick and freeeking tired of being called the bad person when i deal with a guy who had broken into MY HOME or whatever, because the Judges in this country are a bunch of scaredy arsed panty waists that bow down and cater to the criminals. idiotic judges who won't send these lawbreakers off to the gulags where they belong. I'm sick and tired of of following the fishing regs, only to have a bunch of whiners (this land our land BLA BLA BLA ) openly break the law and then have the courts and DFO and FOC etc etc etc get on their knees and cater to these lawbreakers.

It is high time that we as a collective front stood up and PUSHED BACK.

It is time to get out on the water with cameras just like the natives do. circle around THEIR boats when they are out fishing and see how they like it for a change. film each and every one of them when there is a violation. Bombard the fat cat politicians with protest letters AND emails. use our contacts in the media to inform the public of these violations. WE are not the bad guys here, we are the ones who try to conserve for the future. it is time to stop the BS out on the water.

nuff said....i really really need a gawdang cup of coffee please!!!!!!.

deep breath......