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[Dennis.t]

A Cheam First Nation fisherman is presumed drowned after falling into the Fraser River from his boat early Friday morning near the Agassiz-Rosedale bridge. Mounties say two fishermen were setting drift nets Monday morning before 6 a.m. when their 12-foot skiff became unstable and overturned. Both fishermen tried to swim to shore, but only one made it. He went to the nearest house to tell police his partner hadn't made it out of the river. The Cheam and other First Nations began a river search, as did Mounties and local Search and Rescue Agencies. The RCMP also used a helicopter in the search. The fisherman had not been located by Friday afternoon. Mounties say he is presumed drowned. Depending on conditions, Search and Rescue volunteers will return to the river Saturday to continue the search. Mounties added that there were no fisheries openings on the Fraser at the time of the incident. While police haven't released the name of the fisherman pending next of kin, the Cheam First Nation issued a notice Friday asking for help finding Curtis Newman, whom it said had fallen into the Fraser. - See more at: http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/news/cheam-fisherman-presumed-drowned-after-falling-into-fraser-river-1.615207#sthash.qHc278AA.dpuf

[BNF861]

I don't get it? Why were they setting drift nets if there was no FN fishery openings?

I don't see many PFDs either when there is an opening. It would probably be a wise idea to wear one.

[Dennis.t]

I don't get it? Why were they setting drift nets if there was no FN fishery openings?

I don't see many PFDs either when there is an opening. It would probably be a wise idea to wear one.

Yah, that's the big question,im wondering? What a needless death.

[Sandman]

I don't get it? Why were they setting drift nets if there was no FN fishery openings?

Historically the Cheam have been one if the groups most hostile toward DFO and have not recognized their authority to "open" or "close" the river in their traditional territory.  Many are militant about this being their land (having never signed any treaties to relinquish their rights).  Some of their elders and leaders would agree that the salmon are in danger but distrust the DFO managers and blame the mismanagement on them and on Canadian abuse of the environment (pollution, habitat destruction, etc), and rely on their own methods of determining harvest levels.  However, when the elders preach restraint and conservation the fishermen do not always fall in line (tough to convince these guys living in poverty most of the year not to fish when fishing is their one chance to make a little extra this year) and they often do not have the resources (or sometimes the will) to police their own.

[alwaysfishn]

Historically the Cheam have been one if the groups most hostile toward DFO and have not recognized their authority to "open" or "close" the river in their traditional territory.  Many are militant about this being their land (having never signed any treaties to relinquish their rights).  Some of their elders and leaders would agree that the salmon are in danger but distrust the DFO managers and blame the mismanagement on them and on Canadian abuse of the environment (pollution, habitat destruction, etc), and rely on their own methods of determining harvest levels.  However, when the elders preach restraint and conservation the fishermen do not always fall in line (tough to convince these guys living in poverty most of the year not to fish when fishing is their one chance to make a little extra this year) and they often do not have the resources (or sometimes the will) to police their own.

While what you say may be true, there is no excuse that can justify breaking the law and netting fish when the river is closed. On one hand they preach how they are the good stewards of this resource while on the other hand they abuse it. If they were fishing to actually catch fish in order to feed themselves the act might be viewed differently and would perhaps be justifiable. However in this case they are no better than any race that poaches an endangered natural resource and should be prosecuted accordingly.

[Sandman]

While what you say may be true, there is no excuse that can justify breaking the law and netting fish when the river is closed. On one hand they preach how they are the good stewards of this resource while on the other hand they abuse it. If they were fishing to actually catch fish in order to feed themselves the act might be viewed differently and would perhaps be justifiable. However in this case they are no better than any race that poaches an endangered natural resource and should be prosecuted accordingly.

Yes, I was not trying to excuse the guys fishing, just explain why they might have been fishing when DFO had closed the river.  It really is not DFOs fault as they have not been very successful pursuing cases like this in the courts, and at some point they have to wonder how much if an already obscenely tight budget they want to spend on lawyers to only ultimately lose in court.

[chronic_topdawg]

Well he was found.  By grassy.  Some have issues with what he was doin when he died.  But RIP

[Dennis.t]

Well he was found.  By grassy.  Some have issues with what he was doin when he died.  But RIP

Oh boy! Didn't hear that. I guess that's that then. Condolences to the family. No matter the circumstances, the family will grieve now...

[Sandy]

Well he was found.  By grassy.  Some have issues with what he was doin when he died.  But RIP

ditto on that. family and friends are mourning.