Tag Archives: Fisherman Jason Voong

Reallocation: Fed changes to BC crab fishery could bankrupt some commercial fishermen

Commercial crab fishermen in British Columbia fear that changes to the way they can fish for Dungeness crab off the west coast of Vancouver Island could push some small, family operations out of business. This year however, crab fishermen like Jason Voong, 33, may not be able to harvest enough crabs to stay in business following changes announced by the federal government in December to reallocate half of the licenses available in the area to local First Nations.  “I fully support, and the fishers support reconciliation, it’s just a process that’s wrong right now the way DFO has treated the commercial fleet and the five nations.” >click to read< 09:41

Indigenous rights-based changes to Tofino crab fishery weigh heavily on family-run businesses

Recent changes to trap limits have Dungeness crab fishers in Tofino fearing for their livelihoods. When Dungeness season opens on April 1, commercial crab fishers in Area E (Tofino) must re-allocate 50 per cent of their inside trap allocation and 25 per cent of their offshore trap allocation to five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. DFO is required to give priority to the Nuu-chah-nulth under an order from the British Columbia Court of Appeal. DFO announced the changes to Area E Tofino harvesters before even consulting with the five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. Jason Voong, president of the B.C. Crab Fishermen’s Association and second-generation Area E Tofino crab harvester, says the changes are essentially putting the cost of the court ruling on the backs of small, family-owned businesses. >click to read< 17:08