Members of Parliament representing 25 BC ridings and three different opposition parties have co-signed a letter calling for the federal minister of fisheries and oceans to enable a mark selective chinook fishery for the coming public fishing season.
Signatories to the letter to minister Bernadette Jordan include North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney, NDP fisheries critic and Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns, NDP leader and Burnaby South MP Jagmeet Singh, as well as six other NDP MPs, 13 Conservative MPs, and two Green MPs, according to a media release from Blaney.
“From the Tyee Club in Campbell River, to the guides and tackle shops in communities from Powell River to Port Hardy, to parents and grandparents teaching kids how to catch a meal, the public fishery is such an important part of life on the coast,” stated Blaney. “A mark selective fishery for chinook salmon would ensure these cultural, recreational and economic activities can continue, while needed conservation measures are in place to protect endangered wild salmon stocks.”
A mark selective fishery would allow chinook salmon with missing adipose fins from hatcheries to be retained.
The letter cites the importance of the public fishery as an economic driver and for local food security for coastal communities, in particular coming through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There has never been a time where the ability of individuals to provide for their own food security in a safe manner has been more relevant or necessary,” stated the letter. “We believe that it is possible and necessary for mark selective chinook fisheries to be implemented in a manner that supports restoration and conservation of Pacific salmon, especially at-risk populations. Therefore, we are asking you to support mark selective fisheries that are properly designed, implemented and monitored to prevent unintended impacts on unmarked or untargeted fish of wild origin.”
Blaney has also relaunched rachelblaney.ndp.ca/publicfishery, where people can add their name in support of this initiative.
