In January 2015, 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Heiltsuk Nation on B.C.’s Central Coast, the Haida Nation of Haida Gwaii, and the commercial fisherman’s union (UFAWU/UNIFOR) came together to unanimously oppose commercial roe herring fisheries in 2015 in the above three herring areas.
This was in response to a decision by Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in late 2014 to go against DFO’s own B.C. Herring Rebuilding initiative and instead proceed with industrial commercial roe herring fisheries in these three areas where herring stocks are just beginning to rebuild after years of commercial fishing closures due to conservation concerns.
Commercial roe herring fisheries have been closed in Haida Gwaii since 2003 and closed on the west coast of Vancouver Island since 2005 while herring stocks attempt to rebuild. In contrast, herring stocks are abundant in the Strait of Georgia and Prince Rupert area, with sufficient herring to conduct commercial roe herring fisheries and more than enough herring to meet the demand for B.C. herring in Japan, the primary market for B.C. herring. Pacific herring is one of the most important food fish in the ocean, and is depended upon for food by Chinook and coho salmon, Pacific cod, lingcod, halibut, sea lions and seals.
By signing this petition you are showing your full support to keep the commercial roe herring fisheries closed on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C.’s Central Coast, and Haida Gwaii in 2015 to allow herring stocks in these areas to rebuild.
Let’s show that together we support the rebuilding of herring stocks and are against fishing in areas that could jeopardize the health and economic viability of B.C.’s commercial roe herring fisheries.
Some recent media on the topic
http://www.avtimes.net/news/local-news/ntc-seeks-injunction-to-stop-herring-fishery-1.1775051
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/first-nations-union-agree-herring-fishery-should-stay-shut-1.2927793
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/02/150211-herring-decline-british-columbia-fishery-seabirds-environment/
http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2015-01-06/open-letter-bc-commercial-herring-fishermen-regarding-2015-season
http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2015-02-17/nuu-chah-nulth-nations-injunction-hearing-roe-herring-fishery-set-feb-26
http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2015-01-08/support-united-fisherman-and-allied-workers-union-herring-fishery
http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2014-02-03/haida-heiltsuk-and-nuu-chah-nulth-nations-unite-opposition-commercial-herring-fisher
http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2015-02-03/nuu-chah-nulth-will-meet-them-courts-and-water-if-required
