The only people who can stop this Fraser River carnage are FN themselves - that is where Eddie Gardner and others who think likewise can really make a difference.
This is where it is.
Steelhead conservation is a significant priority for us" - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
From: RODNEY CLAPTON
Date: 2018-10-13 1:57 PM (GMT-08:00)
To: "Reid, Rebecca" <
Rebecca.Reid@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>
Subject: Fwd: Fraser River salmon fishing closure
Rebecca I know you have seen the e mail trail attached. Please see message from Bent Rods received today. Very genuine concerned sentiment that is shared by most within the Rec community. I am personally asking you to instruct your staff & C&P people to closely monitor the beach seining. This has to happen NOW as the remnants of the Thompson /Chilcotin fish are currently migrating. I know skeptics might suggest the fish ID was misinterpreted by the individual & we can again be told the fishery is closely monitored & mortality is low. Past studies & current observations refute those statements.
Last year the Beach Seine EO fishery reported 25 steelhead intercepted. That's 15% of the total hat reached spawning grounds. We can only guess at numbers intercepted in other legal & non legal net fisheries. I don't want to get into further e mail discussions on the issue & the generic DFO response. We have individuals within the rec community who suggest actions which could destroy the rapport we have established thru Peacemakers & other direct meetings with First Nations. We are not going to get into a war of words with First Nations as that is counter productive. We want to continue dialogue with our First Nations friends & hopefully expand thru perhaps a Fraser River Round Table. We have requested DFO support establishing that table but hear nothing.
I know you take conservation of endangered species very seriously. We need your as RDG to initiate the actions to save these steelhead & wild Thompson coho. Lets all stop the blame game & look at reality. The rec sector is totally committed to conservation & saving threatened stocks. The Fraser fishery is a tremendous Canadian heritage we must preserve for future generations. The constitutional rights of First Nations does not mean exclusivity to the resource. They must bear a significant responsibility for conservation of all species.
Rebecca I am sincerely reaching out to you in respect of your position & attempting to ensure these priceless Thompson steelhead can be saved. I honestly don't know what else to do.
An obvious DFO presence on the river & independent monitoring of by catch could help. That's a call I hope you can make immediately.
Yours in Conservation
Rod Clapton
BCFDF President
Co Chair Fraser River Sportfishing Alliance
---------
From: "Rebecca |Reid" <
Rebecca.Reid@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>
To: "Rod Clapton"
Cc: "Andy Thomson" <
Andrew.Thomson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>, "Carlson, Mike" <
Mike.Carlson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>, "Fogliato, Cara" <
Cara.Fogliato@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2018 3:54:45 PM
Subject: Re: Fraser River salmon fishing closure
Hello Rod - you are absolutely right that we do care about steelhead and conservation. Thank you for writing to me and sharing your concerns. I will be sure to discuss your e-mail with my enforcement, management, and species at risk staff to ensure this information is included in our operational planning.
Steelhead conservation is a significant priority for us and I can assure you we are making every effort to work with BC, indigenous groups and other partners on this important issue, including the rec sector.
Rebecca Reid