SEHAB Roundtable Template–– February 2016

SEHAB Member: Dianne Sanford

Area:  Sunshine Coast

Community Advisor:  none locally.  Rob Bell-Irving closest.

Date:  September 28, 2016

Key Issues:

What top three points can you distill from community input to take to DFO RHQ?

1. Total lack of DFO presence – NO CA, NO FISHERIES OFFICERS, more pressure for local hatcheries to speak to public about fisheries issues.
2. Major water issues – Chapman Creek facing immense pressure from human water consumption and flows are inadequate for salmon passage and to keep water temperatures down.

Stories:

A few examples of successes, failures, challenges.

Frustration within community, inadequate regulations, tours coming to coast (and travelling on up to Powell River)  which focus on harvesting shellfish.  For food, not just shells. Questions about possibility of changing regulations or having seasonal closures to take pressure off popular areas.

ESSR license for Chapman Hatchery denied this year – hatchery says it will cost them up to 10,000.00 which is needed to assist running the hatchery.  Query as to why the denial this year elicited the response that as long as the creek is closed for recreational fishing there cannot be fish sold.  (Chapman is closed until Oct. 15)
Last year the hatchery received an ESSR license even though the creek was closed at the time.  Inconsistency in regulation?

Issues Specific to SEHAB’s Work Plan:

Submissions, Comments from Groups:

Powell River Salmon Society is inundated with calls and queries about salmon – what species, where, numbers coming in, etc. Can’t keep up and they need to focus on their hatchery operation.