Tag «policy»

DFO Fishery Monitoring Policy

DFO has announced…

the national Fishery Monitoring Policy and Introduction to the Procedural Steps for Implementing the Fishery Monitoring Policy are now posted live on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) website. This policy aims to bring consistency in the development, delivery, and evaluation of monitoring programs for all federally-managed wild capture fisheries in Canada.
Letter from Andrew Thomson, Regional Director for DFO Pacific Region Fisheries Management

The Fishery Monitoring Policy can be viewed here, while the introduction to procedural steps to implementing this policy may be viewed here.

Washington state bills to help SRKWs

An Associated Press article published here and here reveals the effort being made in Washington state to deal with the threats to southern resident killer whales (SRKW).

One House bill sets aside $1.5 million to produce 10 million more hatchery chinook salmon, a roughly 20 percent boost over current production, so orcas will have more to eat.

“Using smart hatchery production we can still support rebuilding wild fish runs and have hatchery production,” said Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, prime sponsor of House Bill 2417, which unanimously cleared a policy committee and awaits action in a fiscal committee.

State Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, has proposed a package of bills aimed at protecting orcas and the waters they swim in. Senate Bill 6268 would essentially double to 100 the number of days state wildlife officers are on the water to keep boats a safe distance from orcas. This bill would also convene a meeting between experts in British Columbia and Washington to discuss strategies to help the orcas.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed supplemental budget devotes $3 million to helping the whales by increasing enforcement of boat regulations, increasing production of chinook salmon at hatcheries and improving habitat. Inslee is also expected to create a killer whale task force.

In Canada, recent years have seen DFO reduce the funding and stop the permitting of attempts by volunteers to enhance chinook production in the southern Vancouver Island area, presumably in support of a wild fish policy. Yet, somehow, Washington state legislators feel they can have both wild fish and enhanced chinook production.

Public Open House on Wild Salmon Policy: Oct 19 at Harbour Towers

Late notice for a public open house on Thursday, October 19th at the Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites in Victoria.

Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites Victoria
345 Quebec Street, Victoria, BC
October 19, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Please show up and voice your concern about the Wild Salmon Policy. The ACS is concerned that it does not deal well with issues related to the urban environment, such as:

too much habitat destruction
dirty and polluted water
too few returning salmon to justify the cost of conservation efforts
the overall trend in declining returns in recent years

The ACS seeks enough chinook for all sectors, plus the orcas. The clearest way to achieve this is net penning of chinook in all west coast areas, especially Sooke and Victoria. Canada is now at risk of managing this fishery to collapse.

Consultations are underway on the initial draft 2018-2022 Wild Salmon Policy Implementation Plan – for Consultation (“the draft plan”), which includes an overview of WSP strategies, highlights of progress to date, challenges and lessons learned and sets out wild salmon-related activities under the themes of Assessment Work and Integrated Planning and Program Delivery. These are activities that will be undertaken from 2018-2022 to support the goal and objectives of the WSP and build on best practices and lessons learned over the last 12 years.

The draft plan also reflects some of the many contributions of Indigenous peoples, communities, stewardship groups and other organizations dedicated to salmon and salmon habitat conservation across BC and Yukon.

Fall 2017 consultations mark an important opportunity to engage on this preliminary draft, and will help shape the final document. DFO is seeking feedback on the draft document, on how work being undertaken by many communities and organizations may complement and support activities identified in the draft implementation plan, and on opportunities for future collaborative work.

Future public open houses are scheduled as follows:

Prince Rupert
Crest Hotel Prince Rupert
222 1st Ave West, Prince Rupert, BC
October 24, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Nanaimo
Coast Bastion Hotel Nanaimo
11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, BC
October 24, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Smithers
Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge Smithers
3251 Highway16, Smithers, BC
October 25, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Campbell River
Thunderbird Hall Campbell River
1400 Weiweikum Rd, Campbell River, BC
October 25, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Vancouver
Segal Building, SFU, Vancouver
500 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
October 30, 2017
Drop-in any time between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Prince George
Coast Inn of the North Prince George
770 Brunswick Street, Prince George, BC
November 1, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Sardis – Fraser Valley
Tzeachten Community Hall Sardis
Promontory Rd, Sardis, BC
November 16, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Port Alberni
Tseshaht Administration Building
5091 Tsuma-as Drive, Port Alberni, BC
November 20, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Whitehorse
Best Western Gold Rush Inn Whitehorse
411 Main Street, Whitehorse, YK
November 29, 2017
Drop-in between 6:30pm – 8:30pm

A WebEx session is also scheduled for November 9, 2017, 11:00am – 12:00pm for those unable to participate in the sessions listed above. To join the WebEx session, please go here at the scheduled time/date. For an audio connection: 1-877-413-4788, Conference ID: 795 266 4, Conference Password: WSPIP