by Kathryn Ridley
The Record
December 17, 2003
The Nootka/Kyuquot Sports Fish Advisory Committee met Nov. 19, 2003 in Tahsis. The agenda was accepted, all in favor. The previous minutes for the January 8, 2003 meeting were read over and accepted as read. The suggestion was brought up to post future meeeting notices on the bulletin board down by the liquor store and Post Office where more residents would probably see it.
Under unfinished business the group talked about the motion still on the table related to Zeballos residents being represented fairly because of the demographics that hindered participation at the local meetings. It was noted that there were real problems around travel time and expense and that traveling by boat was out of the question due to the meetings being held in the evenings. It was moved that co-chairs should resolve communication concerns by holding local meetings and then attend the main meetings to present motions etc. The chair of the main committee could represent the groups at the South coast meeting. It was decided to carry this motion forward to the South Coast Meeting for a decision. All were in favor.
There was a question about the hard copy of data on local stocks/watersheds of concern. There is a copy from DFO and it will be looked into and reported back to the group. There seems to be some concern about the same stocks as last year, i.e. Thompson River Coho.
Some local wild stocks are improving but some systems like the Artlish River in Kyuquot aren't recovering. It is very important for local groups to have the data identifying these systems so they can partner to develop strategic plans to improve information about local stocks such as the West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook.
There was discussion about the Rockfish Conservation Strategy and how the inshore rockfish are declining due in part to the harvest rate exceeding the natural mortality rate. There needs to be a reduction rate of 75%. Rockfish protected areas are being looked at to protect rockfish for the future. A rockfish must live for fifteen years before it is mature enough to spawn.
The halibut fishery is allowed a quota of rockfish as incidental catch, but can't go over that quota. A comment came forward that long liners should be made to fish 10 miles offshore and maybe DFO should look at implementing a corridor for these fishermen.
Some discussion followed on whether the vessels were actually long lining for halibut or spiny dogfish. There was a concern about people discarding a lot of rockfish to get at the halibut. More data about by-catch associated with this fishery needs to be gathered.
Under New Business nominations were taken for a new chair. Paul Smith was nominated the chair of the Committee.
The South Coast meeting will have considerable discussions about the 2004 fishing plans and be forming working groups. The Nootka/Kyuquot Sport Fish Advisory will work on the plans in January before the main meeting, an arrangement similar to last year.
There was discussion about the sports catch and effort in 2003. The effort was higher this year on Chinook than last year in Nootka Sound (71% in Nootka and 28% in Esperanza). It was noted that these figures were based on estimates only. The data for 2003 shows a substantial decline in rockfish effort in Nootka Sound since 1996.
The group discussed the logbook program and the issues with it. DFO is seeking input to make this program more successful. Some suggestions included incentives, smaller log books, filled in log books as a licensing requirement, waterproofing the book, and sending warm bodies to collect the information.
Discussion continued
about the need for local user groups to start recognizing the importance
of providing and searching for revenue to promote stewardship in the areas
they harvest, and this would include the commercial fishery.
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