Wheels of government finally move on the fishery

The much wished for opening to go chase the Sockeye run was granted late in the long weekend, with a one day gill net opening allowed to take place today. In the last few day’s fishermen, shoreworkers and local officials had all expressed frustration with the lack of communication and decision making being shown at both the DFO and the provincial Ministry of the Environment.

With the one day opening granted today, all are hoping that they didn’t wait too long to make their decision, costing the local economy hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is the possibility that there may be an extension to the opening today, many in the fishing industry are looking forward to the chance to create some more work and earn some much needed income before the season officially shuts down.

The Daily News had the story in its Tuesday edition.

SOCKEYE STALEMATE ENDS IN GOOD NEWS
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Page One

Local fishermen are hoping the last-minute decision by both the Ministry of Environment and the federal Fisheries and Oceans department (DFO) to allow a one-day gillnet opening Tues. Sept. 5 will not be in vain.

The opening was announced late this past long weekend, after various elected representatives from the North Coast – including Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond with support from city council, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen, and provincial MLA Gary Coons – lobbied for all levels of government to change their mind, in light of the better-than-average steelhead escapement and preseason forecast for sockeye (1.8 million that swelled to over three million). And the opening could be extended, depending on the number of sockeye the fishermen find in the Skeena River.

“I’m relieved that the department has decided not to waffle,” said Joy Thorkelson, United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union (UFAWU-CAW) northern representative. “Almost 300,000 fish went up the Skeena River already.

“It may be too little, too late… but on the other hand, it gives the opportunity to put some money into the pockets of our fishermen. And there is the potential for an extension, if the sockeye’s out there.”

Coons echoed Thorkelson’s statements, wishing that all levels of government had acted more quickly.

“I think the ministry and DFO spent too long delaying their decision,” he said. “I’m glad they took this seriously, and listened to our parliament officials in this region.”

Coons was impressed by how hard everyone on the North Coast worked in an effort to help the North Coast fishermen and shoreworkes, who have not had a very good season to date.

“It was great to see us working together to try to bring some sense of economy back to the shoreworkers and fishermen,” said Coons.

From day one, the concern from both the ministry and DFO was the bycatch on steelhead stocks, which had already reached the maximum 24 per cent, and led to the shut down of the sockeye fisheries. Local fishermen issued a request to catch .6 per cent more steelhead, but neither ministry was willing to change their minds until all levels of government spent Labour Day weekend lobbying for change.

“When we look at what’s happening, the numbers are the story,” said Coons. “I hope it wasn’t too late.”


LOBBYING EFFORTS FROM THE NORTH COAST SAVED THE DAY
Editorial
Prince Rupert Daily News
Tuesday, September, 5, 2008
Page 4

It’s great news for dozens of North Coast families that the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Fisheries finally made the decision to allow a gillnet opening today.

Thanks to the opening, fishermen will get an opportunity to make a few bucks in what is clearly shaping up to be another difficult season.

Hopefully, shore workers will also benefit – getting not only a few more hours of work and a few more hours of pay but also a step or two nearer to the threshold they need to reach in order to qualify for EI this winter.

The fact that we got the opening at all was down to a hat-full of local people who kept up the pressure on DFO and the Environment Ministry until it made the right decision and declared an opening because of plentiful stocks where none were planned.

As everyone knows, it can be difficult to get federal bureaucrats to stick their necks out and act quickly and imaginatively when something has already been set in stone.

Among those who deserve a pat on the back for keeping the heat on are Mayor Herb Pond, who quite literally camped out on DFO’s doorstep down south as he said he would – to keep the issue front and centre. Joy Thorkelson of the UFAWU also tirelessly campaigned and was as usual front and centre. MP Nathan Cullen and MLA Gary Coons were also kicking down doors in Ottawa and Victoria.

To people on the North Coast the issue was a no-brainer.

As North Coast MLA Gary Coons said: “There was no conservation crisis for steelhead, no crisis for sockeye, but there was a major crisis for fishermen and shore workers.”

Clearly Coons and others, while pleased that the right decision was made in the end, are more than frustrated that it took so long to make.

The feds are now assuring people on the North Coast that such a decision will be made much more quickly in future years if a similar situation arises.

That’s welcome news.

Hopefully, next time we will be able to feel the full benefit in our local economy of any unexpected windfall at sea.

It must have seemed as if the decision took forever to make in the eyes of fishermen, shoreworkers and their families.

In addition to a quicker response the next time such a situation arises, it would also benefit everyone on the North coast if the powers-that-be address the ridiculous rules around qualification for EI in the coming weeks and months. It’s absurd that local workers have to rack up as many hours of employment as workers in booming Fort St. John, where people have to beat off work with a stick.

Our shoreworkers are ready, willing and able to work but are unable to because of a shortage of available work. Change the rules now so they and thief families can get through the winter with the resources they need and deserve.

Earle Gale, The Daily News