Opinion: Saving the Whales? Capture and fishy business in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
On April 29, 2022, under the pretence of protecting the southern resident killer whales (SRKW), the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced additional closures to the already severely restricted recreational salmon fishery in southern B.C.
The problem is, these measures may actually hurt the SRKW rather than help. Why? Because the recreational fishery is demonstrably not the problem.
But, science, data and expert testimony never stopped the DFO from enacting bad policy.
Sadly, the losers in this ill-conceived publicity stunt are not only SRKWs and recreational fishers.
In fact, everything and everyone that depends on healthy salmon populations suffers — including the very credibility and standing of the DFO itself.
Welcome to the post-truth world of fisheries and wildlife management.
Similarly, the most recent DFO closure of the recreational fishery shows a concerning influence of the powerful ENGO lobby. Rather than fulfilling their public mandate by taking meaningful, science-based measures to address the salmon and SRKW issue, DFO continually opts to placate the often unfounded, yet always well-funded ENGO demands.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans is currently hearing testimony from various fisheries-related sectors. Despite the often conflicting interests represented, a common and growing refrain calls for the complete elimination and re-structuring of the entire agency.
https://www.squamishchief.com/opinio...oceans-5433901
Saving the Whales? Capture and fishy business in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
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