EDITOR,
I wanted to give a bit more perspective on the Letters to the Editor written by Dorte Froslev in last week's Squamish Chief ("Canary in the coal mine?").
First, I thought I should share a little more information and history on the Fisheries Roundtable Group that MP John Weston started with a number of concerned local citizens and groups.
In August 2009, our local Squamish to Lillooet Sportfish Advisory Committee wrote MP Weston expressing our concerns about the extremely low returns of Fraser River sockeye salmon. After receiving our letter, Weston suggested that a meeting be held with everyone concerned about the situation.
At our first meeting, we had participants from Squamish and West Vancouver Streamkeepers, Squamish Nation, local fishing guides, SFAC participants, Watershed Watch, North Vancouver Outdoors School and concerned local citizens. Weston listened carefully to our concerns and asked several questions. He carried our concerns forward to Ottawa and after the meeting suggested that we meet again that fall and coined the name "Fisheries Roundtable Group."
At our second meeting Mr. Weston gave us an update on the situation and the group made the decision to continue to meet and address concerns, not only over Fraser sockeye, but other issues impacting our local salmon returns.
Some of the highlights and the results from our Fisheries Roundtable meetings are:
MP Weston asked the Prime Minister in the House of Commons to call an inquiry into the collapse of the Fraser River Sockeye returns of 2009. This led the Prime Minister to call for inquiry which is still underway and called the Cohen Inquiry.
The Federal Fisheries Minister has visited our riding and met with our group on three different occasions.
Completion of the Mashiter Channel Salmon Observation Platform, a catalyst for community education, outreach and understanding of the salmon resource.
Bringing the House Commons Fisheries Standing Committee to our riding in November 2010. This was the first time in 12 years. This visit was an opportunity for Parliamentarians to be more familiar with salmon aquaculture and potential impacts on wild salmon and how these could be reduced or eliminated.
An opportunity for myself as a representative of the Fisheries Roundtable to testify before the House of Commons Fisheries Standing Committee at hearings in Campbell River in November 2010, where I advocated for the salmon farming industry to move to closed-containment salmon farms to protect wild salmon.
A meeting in our riding to discuss allocation of halibut for both sport and commercial fishermen, attended by over 200 community members.
Work to identify and fund habitat projects on Squamish River.
As you can see, both the participants in the Fisheries Roundtable and our MP John Weston have been working very hard on fisheries issues.
To conclude, I wanted to share a few thoughts on our most recent meeting with the Federal Fisheries Minister Ashfield.
There was an opportunity for media to meet Minister Ashfield prior to our Roundtable Meeting. We have always had a policy of not having media inside our roundtable meetings. This ensures that everyone is given the opportunity for open discussion.
Minister Ashfield is new to his portfolio and this was his first visit to our riding. Prior to the question-and-answer period at the Squamish Adventure Centre, he was taken on a tour of the North Vancouver Outdoor School, where he viewed proposed salmon habitat work.
At the question-and-answer session, the minister listened carefully to all questions asked, had staff member taking notes and MP Weston has indicated that he will be holding a follow-up roundtable meeting to update the group on the results of the minister's visit.
The minister indicated that he intends to take the results of the Cohen Inquiry very seriously. He will make decisions on future salmon management after reviewing the findings, which are expected to be released this summer.
When asked about funding for our proposed habitat project at the Outdoor School, Minister Ashfield mentioned he could not give us an answer until February, when the upcoming budget is drawn up. But now, he definitely has a greater understanding of the proposed project. Our Fisheries Roundtable Group is hopeful that we will receive a positive update of funding for the project in the coming months.
I would like to extend an invitation for those who are concerned about local salmon to contact MP Weston and learn more about participating in our Fisheries Roundtable.Dave BrownWhistler
