Fishing communities, like the one that once existed on Cortes Island, are becoming memories. The Cortes museum lists 28 independent fishing boats based at one of island’s docks during the 1970s. Twenty years ago, 5 were still returning to Mansons Landing. By 2016 this number had shrunk to 2 boats and neither of them fished Cortes waters. While this decline may partially reflect the shift towards large corporate fishing fleets, a new UBC study states a quarter of Canada’s fish stocks are in decline and the industry would benefit from a complete closure of fishing for some species.
Continue reading Study suggests a complete closure of fishing for some speciesCategory Archives: Rivers & Oceans
Study Suggests Closing Fisheries for long term economic gain
By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
At least a quarter of major fish stocks in Canada are in decline, but efforts to rebuild them — such as closing fisheries or setting catch limits — are often met with strong opposition due to negative socioeconomic effects. Now a new study by University of British Columbia researchers shows the short-term financial pain can lead to long-term gain — and that pain can be eased by providing fishers with social and economic assistance.
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Tsilhqot’in Leaders close all Salmon Fishery
By Rebecca Dyok, The Williams Lake Tribune, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tsilhqot’in leaders say they have no choice but to close all salmon fishing within their territory west of Williams Lake due to “extreme conservation concern” over the state of sockeye and chinook runs.
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Namgis WIn Salmon Farm Appeal
North Island Gazette, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has decided in favour of ‘Namgis First Nation’s allegation that Fisheries and Oceans should have consulted them before issuing a salmon farm transfer licence to Mowi in 2018.
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Salmon Reaching The Big Bar Landslide
Editor’s note: On June 10, 2020: Fisheries and Oceans Canada told a Commons committee that last year’s early runs of Stuart sockeye and chinook salmon weren’t able to pass the Big Bar landslide, north of Lillooet. About 60,000 fish were subsequently helped over the slide and another 220,000 were able to swim through after the Fraser River’s water volume dropped.
By Quinn Bender, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Fraser River salmon have begun arriving in larger numbers at the site of the Big Bar landslide.
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