WHEREAS for thousands of years salmon fishing has been of vital importance to the First Nations people both on the Pacific coast and inland along the rivers and to this day the Pacific coast marine commercial fishing industry and the inland sports fishery are both essential to our region as economic generators; AND WHEREAS at the 57th Annual BC Chamber of Commerce AGM in May of 2009 the delegates passed a policy for maintaining a vibrant sport fishing industry in British Columbia and Prince Rupert City Council feels the policy is reflective of only the sport fishing industry, and undermines the commercial fishing industry: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM lobby the provincial and federal governments to support both the commercial fishing industry and the sports fishing industry equitably as they are both critical economic generators for residents within the province.
Ministry of Agriculture The Ministry of Agriculture Ministry is the lead Provincial agency for BCs interests in fisheries both commercial and recreational fisheries in tidal waters. The provincial objectives are the sustainability of these fisheries and to maximize the economic and social and benefits to British Columbians. A balanced approach is needed to support the needs of First Nations fisheries, commercial fisheries and recreational fisheries. The Ministry engages on a number of activities to realize these objectives. The Ministry monitors commercial harvesting and processing i.e., Seafood Year in Review and has commissioned studies to measure the economic significance of both commercial and recreational fisheries to the BC economy e.g., BC Seafood Sector and Tidal Water Recreational Fishing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Assessment., etc.. The Ministry participates with the commercial fishing sector, on Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO fisheries management advisory committees e.g., Groundfish Integration Advisory Board, etc and supports negotiations on international fisheries allocations to ensure BC interests are addressed e.g., Pacific Salmon Treaty, tuna, hake and halibut. The Ministry works with industry and various government agencies to fully develop the economic potential of fisheries e.g., sardines, has invested in securing Marine Stewardship Council eco-certification for BC fisheries, and is taking a lead role in value chain traceability with the seafood industry. The Ministry works closely with the recreational fishing sector on a management advisory body with the DFO i.e., Sport Fishing Advisory Board. The Ministry also collaborates with communities and recreational fishing stakeholders and DFO to enhance recreational fishing opportunities and generate more benefits for British Columbians e.g., pink salmon net pens, recreational shellfish harvesting areas, fishing guide training and accreditation.
Ministry of Fisheries Oceans DFOs management objectives are to ensure conservation and sustainable use of the fisheries resource, meet obligations to First Nations, and share any surplus fishery resources between various harvest interests. DFO is committed to continuing to work with the recreational fishing community, through the Sport Fishing Advisory Board, and the commercial fishing industry to manage fisheries in a sustainable manner consistent with established policy frameworks, including established allocation policies. I assure you that DFOs policies are not designed to favour one sector over another.