SFAB Main Board meeting April 14-15, Richmond, BC

The Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) main board is meeting this coming weekend, April 14-15, 2018 at the Airport Marriot Hotel, 7571 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC. The public is welcome. Please respect the meeting chairperson with regard to speaking or presenting at this event. Follow this link to learn how to request meeting materials.

At a March 20, 2018 meeting of the Upper Fraser Valley Sport Fishing Advisory Committee, an update on enforcement of fishing regulations raised a number of concerns, among these being the few Fisheries Officers and Conservation Officers available to keep order, and the significant number of illegal net sets these few officers managed to catch. Which begs the question as to how much illegal fishing on the river goes unremarked?

5. Enforcement Update – C&P, F.V. East (FVE) –D. Clift

During 2017-18 season C&P staff levels/resources were very low (e.g. down from 11 Fishery Officers(FOs) to 5 F/T FOs and 1 Recruit);

Provincial CO Service are short also and are currently hiring more staff;

Low C&P resource levels also impacts ability to respond to new & emerging priorities;

Mission C&P Office is closed;

2017 season enforcement stats summary: 126 illegal set nets, 90 violation tickets issued, 37 warnings and over 2000 fishers checked;

ORR staffing issue (i.e. limited/reduced coverage during 2017 season) impacted FO patrols;

Areas of reported high non-compliance in recreational fisheries were the Stave and Vedder Canal at Keith Wilson bridge.

Concern expressed by committee members about observed increase in number of cars seen
on Vedder Canal Dykes and potential impacts of these activities on riparian habitat areas; it
was confirmed that rules (i.e. bylaws) are in place prohibiting motorized vehicles.
General reminder to report fisheries enforcement concerns to Observe, Record, Report
(ORR) line 1-800-465-4336 & Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) 1-877-952-7277.

Mapping Tidal Waters Recreational Fishing Activity in BC

DFO has engaged the SFI to collect information regarding the “where and when” of sports fishing activity in BC tidal waters. This information combined with mapping can then be used to inform upcoming meetings regarding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the Oceans Protection Plan (OPP).

If you’re willing to contribute your knowledge, the SFI is seeking volunteers for input. You may provide your knowledge and insights online or in-person, at the cost to you of about an hour. Please contact the SFI at mapping@sportfishing.bc.ca or 250.591.0734 to schedule a discussion about the Pacific Fisheries Management Area(s) with which you are familiar.