RCMP probe clash between natives and fisheries officers
Fraser River tensions rise after DFO boat rammed and Cheam band ignores regulations
Peter O'Neil
Vancouver Sun
Thursday, August 18, 2005
OTTAWA -- RCMP officers have been called in to help patrol the Fraser River and investigate a violent incident involving federal federal fisheries officers and members of the Cheam Indian Band, which for years has refused to comply with federal fishing regulations.
Herb Redekopp, a senior enforcement official with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said the RCMP was asked to step up its presence to help "keep the peace" while fisheries officers patrol the area near Chilliwack.
The RCMP is also investigating an Aug. 8 incident in which fisheries officers said their boat was swarmed and rammed by Cheam fishing vessels while the officers were trying to conduct a poaching investigation, Redekopp told The Vancouver Sun Wednesday.
"The officers were outnumbered and their vessel was rammed and the officers' safety was in jeopardy -- absolutely," he said.
While the officers immediately left the area, Redekopp refuted suggestions that Fisheries and Oceans Canada has again abandoned enforcement of illegal Cheam fishing.
"We're (not) backing off from the area," he said. "That's the furthest thing from the truth."
RCMP Staff Sgt. John Ward confirmed an investigation is underway into the Aug. 8 incident. He said RCMP officers in Zodiac vessels, have stepped up their presence on the Fraser River.
"We have had that request from DFO and yes, we have been supplying a presence there," Ward said. "We're working hard to ensure peace is being kept on the water."
Redekopp said his department has added officers from as far away as Ontario to help patrol the Lower Fraser, and said compliance among Fraser River first nations is strong with one exception -- the Cheam.
"We continue to see, on a week-to-week basis, fishermen from that community (who) are not complying to the regulations," he said.
"Either they are fishing driftnets during a set-net period, or they're fishing during a closed period. So we have endeavoured to try to deter that activity in every way we can."
He said an "unprecedented" enforcement effort is underway this year despite two reports earlier this year that criticized the fisheries department for allowing excessive poaching on the Fraser River in 2004.
Redekopp, citing department expectations that the summer sockeye return will be far lower than expected this year, is confident excessive poaching won't be a negative factor in continuing efforts to ensure enough sockeye get to spawning areas.
The Cheam, with a population estimated at 300 to 400, failed in its attempt last week to get a B.C. Supreme Court injunction aimed at booting sports anglers off the Fraser River where the Cheam fish.
Cheam band Chief Sid Douglas, who was not available for comment Wednesday, has said he has not received any reports of confrontations between band members and fisheries officers.
Conservative MP John Cummins said the federal government tried to mislead the public Monday about the level of violence, and is now exaggerating its own enforcement efforts.
"The Cheam again openly flout the law. Fish stocks are again under threat. DFO denies there is a problem and makes feeble efforts to end illegal fishing, all the while presiding over the destruction of the fishery resource. Sadly, nothing has changed."
© The Vancouver Sun 2005
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