The Westerly News
December 15, 2004
The idea of a Parks Canada proposal to ban fishing
in most of
the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, as was stated in several news outlets,
is not true, said parks superintendent Alex Zellermeyer in a letter to
Ucluelet council.
Much of the Broken Group Islands are rockfish conservation areas where hook and line fishing is restricted to prevent the decrease in area rockfish - a slow growing and long lived fish with declining stocks. Although DFO has proposed to make 20% of the West Coast's rockfish habitat RCAs, a significant portion of the area would remain open, said Zellermeyer.
"There are no sports fishing restrictions proposed for the Long Beach Unit of the park," said Zellermeyer. However, Parks Canada did propose an increase in RCAs in the park. "Along the entire West Coast Trail, RCAs are proposed only at Dare Point, Carmanah and the Pachena areas."
But the Vancouver Sun, the AV Times, and the Business Examiner quoted DFO spokesperson Bill Shaw as saying Parks Canada announced its intention to extend existing RCAs further to about 90% of the park.
RCAs restrict hook and line fishing and affect all species, including salmon. Sportsfishing stakeholders worry that effort to replenish rockfish stocks will affect the salmon sportsfishing business.
A committee composed of Parks Canada and DFO are reviewing the protected area because of the proximity of the RCA boundaries to the park, said Gary Logan, DFO representative for the Pacific Rockfish Conservation Strategy. Parks Canada's proposal to extend the boundaries began at this point.
Other stakeholders
besides Parks Canada were consulted on RCAs. On Oct. 20 DFO hosted an
information session on the proposal to increase RCAs in the north, central,
and outside BC waters for all West Coast community members to attend.
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