Fishery closure would be devastating

In an attempt to stabilize the populations of the southern and northern killer whales, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans is requesting feedback on its draft proposal to permanently close the Swiftsure and Laparuse banks for recreational and commercial fishing.

This closure would devastate the coastal communities of Port Renfrew, Bamfield, Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino and every recreational and commercial fisherman who earns their livelihood or enjoys their recreational pastime in what is considered one of the greatest accessible salmon and halibut fishing grounds in North America.

No one argues that we must make major changes to increase the chinook stocks, but solely focusing on fishermen is not going achieve the goal. There must be a balanced approach of increasing the stock with an increased commitment to habitat restoration and salmon-enhancement and at the same time a reduction of predators. Predators, in my view, would include open-net salmon farms, and seals and sea lions feeding in river estuaries. DFO’s targeting of the fishermen alone is simply shortsighted and wrong.

I sincerely hope that our coastal municipal mayors, councils and fishermen will visit the link below before July 14 and express their views. I also encourage our members of Parliament to leave the long grass and stand up for our fisheries.

bit.ly/2tVwNvO Mike Hicks Regional director Juan de Fuca Electoral Area