Tag Archives: Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

Illegal fishing nets seized on Fraser River by DFO

Fishery officer Mike Fraser, DFO detachment commander for Fraser East, Conservation and Protection (C&P), said right now there are 16 active investigations underway into illegal fishing. About 160 of the seized illegal gillnets came from the Lower Fraser, from the mouth of the river, to just past Yale. “We’ve been getting eight to 10 nets a week,” Despite what they described as “high compliance,” from area First Nations, DFO said it has received “an increase in public reports” of illegal fishing in a few areas, as well as illegal fish sales. “As a result, we are increasing our enforcement activities, particularly at night.” >click to read< 13:32

First Nations, commercial, and recreational fishers join forces to save Fraser River fish.

The Lower Fraser Collaborative Table , with membership from 23 First Nations of the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, recreational fishing groups, and commercial reps from the Area E Harvest Commercial, united to help both Fraser salmon runs, as well as non-salmon species. Working together to set up the collaborative table for the past three years, the members say top priorities include: conservation, sustainable access for harvesting, and better communication. Darrel McEachern, a life-long commercial fisherman, said he is “optimistic and enthused” by the creation of LFCT and “honoured” to represent commercial fishermen on the Fraser. >click to read< 17:55

DFO should rethink eulachon plan for 2013 say First Nation leaders

Chilliwack Progress – Sto:lo Tribal Council president Clarence Pennier said they are asking that DFO rethink the eulachon plan for 2013. DFO limited 30 First Nations on the Lower Fraser River, with a  combined population of 10,000 people, to a catch of only 400 pounds of  eulachon last year, he said. “We didn’t fail to notice that DFO allowed the commercial shrimp  trawl fleet to take up to eight tonnes of eulachon as by-catch.” continued