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[Steelhead Society of BC]

Think Steelhead (or Fisheries) this Election

We are all aware that steelhead in British Columbia are facing serious threats. The upcoming BC election provides us with a great opportunity to have our concerns heard. The Steelhead Society of British Columbia (SSBC) urges that all Society members and others who care about steelhead to take this opportunity to ask political party leaders and the candidates in their ridings some pointed questions. Then consider voting for those that give the answers that best support our steelhead.

Here are some of the key questions:

Why is there no Provincial Ministry dedicated to Fisheries?

Freshwater sportfishing in British Columbia contributes $957M to the economy of which steelhead account for approximately $239.25M. Yet both the money and the steelhead are lost in the provincial Ministry of Forest Lands, Natural Resource Operations... “Fisheries” is absent in the name of this ministry and seemingly in its mandate as well.

When will our BC Conservation Service be properly funded to protect our fish?

The underfunding of fisheries management in BC is a reflection of this lack of representation in government. Running into a conservation officer is virtually a thing of the past. The current regulations we have are not being monitored or enforced, let alone trying to decide on additional needed ones. This chronic lack of funding precludes any research. How can rational management occur without sufficient data or knowledge? Money needs to be dedicated to this valuable resource.

How is the provincial government going to support recovery of Interior steelhead populations?

The flagship of BC fish is the magnificent Thompson River steelhead. Anglers come from around the world to test themselves against these fish, the ultimate of their species. However, this world-famous icon is in major trouble, as the 2016-17 season produced approximately 350 spawners on the Thompson and 140 on the Chilcotin.
   
How is the provincial government supporting sustainable fisheries in BC with limited steelhead interception?

While there are many threats to steelhead, the clear and present danger is net interception; (both commercial and First Nation) in the Fraser and Skeena and in the saltwater approaches including the Dean Channel. Incidental by-catch of steelhead seems to increase each year. DFO's refusal to take steelhead into consideration when planning commercial net fisheries is a stake in the heart for these magnificent fish.

A strong provincial voice and presence is absolutely required to make DFO take note and effect change. Speak up, let your voice be heard and your voice counted.

Thanks,
The Steelhead Society of BC

[Jk47]

Thanks for that, SSBC

[chris gadsden]

Thanks for that, SSBC

Thanks, I have sent to some candidates.

[santefe]

While the fresh water fishing is under the BC Fish and Wildlife Dept. Would it not make make sense to move the salt water fishery ie; aquaculture from the Agriculture portfolio to the Fish & Wildlife Dept? Don't salmon and steelhead and cutthroat trout all share fresh and salt water.
Or maybe I just don't see the whole picture here.
Just my 2 cents.

[Robert_G]

Honestly...as much as I care about our fishing and hunting, I can't think of a political party (even in recent history) that cares about it even a fraction of what we do.
Anyone with any business sense at all knows that the NDP is toxic to our economy and will bankrupt us in ways we haven't seen well....since the last NDP government, and for the little that either party is going to do for our fisheries....my vote is on whoever will keep my taxes the lowest and who will keep BC the most profitable. All in all, is it really rocket science which party that will be?

[mikeyman]

I am not sure what planet you are from but the liberals have added over 10 billion to BC's debt in the past 4 years. Bringin it over 68 billion. Profit for the rich. Means no fish for us. I know where my vote is going. Not to the Liberals and not Green which could split the vote. Atleast the NDP considers the environment with respect to process and descission making. We need change!

[Robert_G]

I am not sure what planet you are from but the liberals have added over 10 billion to BC's debt in the past 4 years.

http://www.rbc.com/economics/economic-reports/pdf/provincial-forecasts/prov_fiscal.pdf
Not sure where you get your info from....but this shows balanced budget for those years. The increase from the interest on previous years.
Also, BC can't fix what DFO won't. As long as they are gillnetting the Fraser for chum in Oct, the Thompson Steelhead will never recover.

[Fish or cut bait.]

You can change government every four years and the money they spend; but you can't replace the environment/natural resources once it's gone.

[mikeyman]

Liberals try to hide the debt and lie about balanced budgets.

[Robert_G]

You can change government every four years and the money they spend; but you can't replace the environment/natural resources once it's gone.

Agreed, but unfortunately the idea of any party promising to help the environment (much less keeping that promise) has become a pipe dream. There were glimmers of it back in the 80s and 90s, but even then...it was miniscule at best and they never really amounted to any long term help which is what the environment needed and still needs. Fast forward to 2017 and greed has eclipsed every section of government to the point where the environment no longer becomes a consideration when making decisions....whether provincially or federally.

That being said....there is no reason for me or anyone to base a vote on the 0.00001% chance that some government party is going to take the side of the environment. We should be voting in regards to matters that are actually still get taken seriously in government. The environment is no longer one of those matters.
Sad....but the truth often sucks.

[RalphH]

The huge opposition to Northern Gateway and the failure of the project shows that public opinion and Governing parties can be moved by environmental issues. I'd like to see or hear what each parties position is on such issues including the extent to which they'd support recovery of interior fish stocks such as coho, steelhead and chinook runs. The Island, particularly the east coast, also has such issues and funding for a steelhead recovery plan on the east coast of the Island were quickly driven over by the Campbell/Clark Liberal anti-deficit bus.

Having a education and career background in accounting & finance I'm all for responsible government spending. While the Liberals in BC have certainly delivered fiscal restraint, it wasn't all together responsible. Thery screwed a lot of things up and did some things that proved to be unconstitutional and basically downloaded the cost of many services onto to people who couldn't afford to pay so some better off folks could enjoy lower taxes.

They also achieved some of their budget surpluses - usually those right before an election - by selling government assets, in some cases to leasing companies and then the same land and buildings were immediately leased back in a sort of shell game - simply pushing higher costs for the same services out into the future.