Tag Archives: Heiltsuk First Nation
B.C. frozen-at-sea spot prawns would be illegal – could be off the market
An interpretation of a new ruling by the DFO, would find the sale of any spot prawns frozen-at-sea illegal. The ruling, as written, indicates the following: “No person who catches and retains a fish under the authority of a license issued for the purpose of commercial fishing shall have the fish in possession if the fish is skinned, cut, packed or otherwise dealt with in such a manner that […] where size limits are applicable, the size of the fish cannot be readily determined.” That means tubs of frozen-at-sea spot prawn tails could be off the market. Members of the industry are asking for public support in challenging the decision, supporting B.C. harvesters, and giving consumers the ability to continue the movement to access Canadian prawns and eat locally. >click to read< 08:49
DFO shuts down fishery, citing First Nations reconciliation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has agreed to cancel this year’s commercial roe herring fishery on B.C.’s central coast, citing the federal government’s commitment to reconciliation with First Nations. The Heiltsuk First Nation and DFO officials were unable to come to a “shared understanding” about the health of the local herring stock. Herring biomass — a measure of health and abundance — has “flatlined” on the central coast, said Kelly Brown, director of the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department. >click to read< 10:10
Heiltsuk First Nation claims victory over disputed herring fishery – “It looks like the fleet has packed up and is going south empty,”
A confrontation between the Heiltsuk First Nation and the federal government that threatened to erupt into a “war on the water” appears to have ended with the commercial fleet leaving the central coast, where the industry had been waiting for a disputed fishery to open. “We’re pretty ecstatic here,” Carrie Humchitt, legal services co-ordinator for the Heiltsuk said Wednesday. “We’re just waiting for official confirmation, but we’ve received word through channels that all of the industry boats will be pulling out.” Read the rest here 22:25
DFO clings to bad science, refuses to close herring fishery in Area 7 – “we’re prepared to stop them at all costs”
Despite harsh criticism from scientists and First Nations of DFO’s flawed forecasting methods for the health of herring stocks, the department’s Director General, Pacific Region Sue Farlinger acknowledged today that she was unable to commit to the closure of a gillnet fishery in Area 7. “That’s not enough for us,” responded Kelly Brown, the nation’s resource stewardship director. “We worked all night with people to get the proper stock assessment done, which shows that there is not enough herring here to sustain a commercial fishery.” Read the rest here Video 06:46
Worried about sustainability of herring stocks, First Nation protests commercial fishery
Tensions are escalating on B.C.’s central coast where the Heiltsuk First Nation is protesting commercial herring fisheries. Chief Marilyn Slett said Monday that after failing to stop the seine fleet from hauling in about 680 tonnes of herring over the weekend, plans are being made to escalate the protests when the gillnet fleet gets clearance to fish, possibly later this week. The seine boats were cleared for a short opening late Sunday after a test fishery showed the herring, Read the rest here 20:14
Heiltsuk First Nation threatens to blockade commercial herring fishery
“We don’t trust the DFO [Department of Fisheries and Oceans] science.” said Carrie Humchitt, the first nation’s legal adviser. “It’s very industry driven.” Humchitt says if a commercial fishing is allowed, the Heiltsuk will act. “Our people are ready to mobilize and go out an protect our territory if we have to,” he said. We’re prepared to go out and protect our stocks.” “We think it’s in very bad faith that the DFO is forcing us and other nations up and down the coast to go out and protect our fisheries.” Read the rest here 09:31
B.C. orders clean-up of decaying and abandoned cannery at Namu
The provincial government has issued orders to clean up “a very dangerous situation” that exists at Namu, on British Columbia’s central coast, where a long-abandoned cannery is collapsing and spilling pollutants into the ocean. The Canadian Coast Guard has launched an operation to remove 25,000 litres of oily water from inside a rusting old freighter in the harbour, and provincial remediation efforts are expected soon on shore. Video, Read the rest here 20:53
British Columbia: Tensions rise as First Nations demand Central Coast herring fishery be called off
Mr. Neasloss said there are six commercial gillnet boats tied up in Kitasu Bay, waiting for the opening, and more boats are expected to arrive soon. The band planned to deliver letters to the fishing boat crews Monday, asking them not to fish. “Our first approach is to ask them to leave. If they don’t, it sounds like all Central Coast communities will be converging on Kitasu Bay,” said Mr. Neasloss. Read more here globeandmail 12:14
