Steelhead _kill recipe for disaster Dear Sir: In regard ta the letters of Mr. Phil Parr and Mr. John Holdsiock (BCWF) in the April 15 Terrace Standard that allacked Mr. Rob Brown's column {April 1, “The Skeena Angler”), I would like to make a few comments. As an independent stock assessment biologist that has worked extensively with steelhead stocks on the Nass, Skeena, Fraser, Bella Coola and Columbia rivers since 1992, I am extremely disturbed by the «perception-of the BCWF that there is a surplus of ‘upper Skeena steelhead for harvest. There are no hard biological data (hat support ‘these claims, . On the contrary, the available abundance indices ‘for upper Skeena steelhead have indicated that cur- - Heut returns have been well below the average ‘returns from the 70s to 80s, In fact, the 1997 ‘Skeena steclhead run was cited as the 11th worst . tun of 43 years of records (MELP data, 1997). : These indices are believable considering that ;Mosl steelhead stocks along the coast have been in ‘4 crisis due to low returns resulling from over har- ‘vests in the mid-to-late 80’s and poor marine sur- ‘vival rates since the early 90's. : Southern steelhead stocks have been the slowest "to recover and continue to have poor ocean survival (some areas have smolt to adult survivals estimated at less than L per cent compared to 10-15 per cent). Columbia River steelhead were listed as an ' endangered species in August 1997 even after ex- tensive hatchery intervention (85 per cent of the Columbia run is estimated as enhanced), Northern stocks have had better survival rates but poor ocean survival has contributed to Jower-than- expected returns of steelhead to most areas. A similar fate bas occurred coast-wide for summer-rut Coho; poor ocean survival resulted in dismal returns in 1997 (and anticipated in 1998) even though intensive hatchery supplementation has occurred. Mr, Mike O’Neill of the BCWF, who is also a hatchery manager on the Bulkley River, should know better than to suggest that the upper Skeena stocks are in a surplus and crusade for a (limited) retention fishery after Sept 1. In ny opinion, Mr. O'Neill is in a conflict of in- terest as a hatchery manager suggesting a kill fishery on a species that he bas been trying to en- hance for almost a decade, The target of this kill fishery would be summer- tun steelhead that have migrated through a gauntlet of commercial and in-river nets, and sport fishers, and are now holding within their spawning tributary or in areas of the Skeena mainstem (confirmed by radio-telemetry studies). The current regulation that allows for one steelhead per year to be har- ‘vested in the lower Skeena are targeting winter-run fish which are less susceptible to marine aad in- river fisheries Decause of their'run-timing into the Skeena (enter after the fisheries), _ For almost a decade or longer, the fisheries branch of BC Environment has worked intensively with the users groups (commercial, sport and native fishers) to release incidental catches of Skeena summer-run steelhead during their fisheries as a conservation measure. Opening a kill sport fishery for upper Skeena steelhead diminishes those efforls and will inevitab- ly mean thal more fish will be killed, not only dur- ing the proposed opening, but during the commer- cial and native in-river fisheries. Abundance trends for the upper Skeena popula- tions do not indicate that these stocks could sustain those levels of harvest until a reasonable surplus is available (possibly when ocean survival rates in- crease and runs return to the 70s and 80s levels}. It is irresponsible of Mr. O’Neill and the BCWF to suggest otherwise. Richard F, Alexander, Stock Assessment Biologist, LGL Limited Terrace B.C, Firewood’s back, and the smoke is thicker Dear Sir: Well I appreciate picnic and campsite firewood has been redeemed and Giesbrecht is blowing his hom over helping environment minister Cathy McGregor reconsider But we as B.C. residents already pay the highest overall taxes In North America, so higher users fees ‘to me'seema dual surcharge and just a bit unjustifi- able. ’ Secondly, McGregor’s other moves lo cut super- vision, maintenatice, operators’ budgets for BC Parks regional camping facilities has me concerned about vandalism, depreciation of park assets, con- flicts with wildlife over longer intervals to remove garbage, upkeep of trails, boardwalks, boat launch- es, picnic and camp amenities, patrolling for rodies and yahoos affecting other pcople’s overnight stays, youth employment, improvements, etc, We've also created these huge parks: the Kitlope, Tatshenshini, and lastly was the Northern Rockies — a park the size of New Brunswick — and ump- teen others. A Legacy Panel for these Prolected Area Strategy designations did a sales junket around the province at the end of last year aid I submitted three full pages of ideas on how these might be funded from innovative sources bul nigh a word back to date from them! My fear, ] beleive legitimate, is that we now have - these vast, remote, exclusive ‘wilderness’ parks that “only those with deep pockets — the rich and idle jetsetters — can well afford to take advantage of. In the meantine with the NDP adding a true ac- counted for deficit of $949 million more to a $31 billion longterm debt for the province, this is just the tip of the iceberg. They’ve boxed us and them- ‘selves in aud must now take the machete to many Jongstanding cornerstone programs, and tourism, the super new economic generator, will fall victim especially away from the major touristfravel hubs, Plus they’ve shut out any kind of integrated resource usages in these new PAS parks for all time - even when technology may discover in future ‘The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 6,1998 - AS CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag / Dear Sir: As you may be aware the ARA Consulting Group recently completed a report on the angling guide industry in the Skecna Watershed and pre- semed il to the B.C. Ministry of Environment. Angling guides were faced with an 1100 per cent licence fee increase with less than 3 weeks notice in 19977. The ARA Consulting Group was contracted by the ministry to study the cffects of such an in- crease on area guides. Here are a few excerpts from the 20 page report: 1) “The 1997 cost of fees represent esseitially all of the guides’ normal net profit before tax after drawing a reasonable wage for themselves and any family members working for them.’’ 2) “The burden of the fee increase was espe- cially severe on lower Skeena guides.’’ 3) ‘The industry needs a phase in period for large fee increases which did nol happen in STEVE NICKOLLS led a rally against fishing fee increases and guiding licence increases a year ago. He says a government report concluded the issue was handled bacly but that the province is pushing ahead with higher fees for angling guides, Guides are treated like dirt 1997.7? Why then docs the Minister of Environment Cathy McGregor and local MLA Helmut Gies- brecht choose to ignore the analysis of the report by not only forcing guides to absorb an enormous [ee increase, but also rescind the finance program made available to guides in 1997 to ‘‘case the financial burden?” With the current economic and fishery un- certainly, Terrace arca angling guides are facing severe economic hardship. Is this the kind of ‘small business partnership’? the NDP govern- ment is talking about? ; Despite its importance, the angling guide indus- try in Terrace is not well appreciated. It is a major contributor to the regional economy and deserves to be treated as such by both provincial and local government representatives, Steve Nickolls, chairman Terrace Angling Guides Association ways to utilize resources without impact. Again I feel the NDP have compromised and jeopardized us and future generations in dehibilitat- ing ways thal we will look back upon for many years to come. So the firewood repricve was a mixed blessing, and the smokescreens are slill very rnuch alive! Gerry Bloomer Kitimat B.C. No sign of that Nisga’a spirit of sharing so far Dear Sir: I found the article in your March 18 edition entitled ‘*Get tough or resign, Nisga’a leaders told’’ about my old friend Ray Guno to be very intcrest- ing. Asa provincial and federal incame tax payer, it’s only human to be interested in where the money is being spent. Also as a third party member in the Nisga’a treaty process I have a special interest in the Jand claims negotiations as it affects me and my neighbours directly. I’m not sure that the term ‘'third party” is the correct wording for ws as we are the ones thal are responsible for making this entire process possible, including the $500 per day per diem that Ray men- tions. We have read several articles in the paper by Joc Gosnell who underlines bis willingness to share resources etc, with the non-native people. We arc very happy to see the progress and upswing in the economy of New Aiyansh and all the happy people and new houses there now. Mr, Gosnell does deserve credit for being a suc- cessful chief and making New Aiyansh a model vil- lage complete with new recreation centre and plans for more ncw adminis- tration buildings ete. All our non-native community is asking for is three basic survival & heeds — wood, water and access to all propertics (about 8 arc still in question). As far as I now we've been tured down on all 3 re- quests. I’m wondering if this is the fate that the pro- vince has designed for us of is this the lifestyle za a that the Nisga’a want to Joe Gosnell see us have? We have never heard any comments from Mr, Gosnell regarding his stand on third party rights yel the entire non-native population of British Colum- bia is waiting to hear it. All we have been told is what we hear from cur provincial land claims negotiaturs, They are saying that the Nisga’a negotialing team has rejected these three survival needs. ‘ We have always enjoyed lois of water until the logging done by Twin River Timber in 1975 dried up all of our wells. Thal’s why we are requesting watershed protection. We have always cut firewood on Crown land just the same as the Nisga’a have done since the roads were built. And we always thought it was our Canadian right to do so. We always thought we had a legal right of access to all propertics [rom the government. But now we have a new future owner to deal with. Many changes will be made in the future so now il’s a completely new ball game. What was legal yester- day may not be legal tomorrow. As an example, all of the land around Dragon Lake will be Nisga’a land and they will have the right to restrict the use of il. We have to know where we stand on ail of these issues, Mr. Gosnell, Would you care to put it in black and white so the peaple of this communily and the province can have a good look at it? It has always been my belief that if a person’s laundry is not allowed to get too dirty il could be aired anywhere, Lloyd Brinson Nass Camp, B.C. Watershed park backed Dear Sir: I am writing in support of Eileen Puge’s April & letter proposing to make the Decp Creek watershed area north of town into a park, As a hiker and swimmer I use this area and am concerned thal new developments at the end of Merklicy and North Dover will restrict public access to this beautiful area, . ; A park in this area would be relatively close to the bus system and a good assct for the community, Roberta Robson Terrace B.C, Punjabi, sure, but not at taxpayers’ expense Dear Sir Why do we need our children or grandchildren to learn this language in the first place? (‘‘Punjabi delay queried,’’ April 15, The Terrace Standard). I immigrated from Ireland 44 years ago, 1 ac- cepled the fact that in Rome one does as the Romans do, [ don't think anyone ever forgets their culture, but [ do not think one should try to force it on others, Many nationalities and their descendants have helped to build Canada into what it is today, but I have yet to sce a Scot demand that he wear his kilt in the RCMP, or the Irish demand they teach Gaclic in our public schaols. o on The Ukrainian people who played a huge part in building this country have never made such demands, They have always celebrated thelr own culture in their own ways at their own expense. If people wish to learn Punjabi they should do so by all means. But not at taxpayer expeiise, © Fred Glover Terrace B.C. Lock your freezers now Dear Sir; I believe 1 have found a solution for Messrs. Parr and Holdstock regarding their desire to catch and kill sicelhead. I am certain that the B.C, Fish and Wildlife offi- cials could be convinced to ship truckloads of the overabundant supply of steclhead from the Kitimat and Capilano hatcheries and dump them into Onion Lake just past the Hot Springs so that the CAKers (Catch and Killers) could chase them around in cir- cles 2 or 3 times a year. -A fee would have to charged, of course, to pay for the cost of shipping and conservation control during the fishing season. That fee might also cover the costs of a season end get-together wilh barbecued steelhead the main atiraction. These anglers would be restricted to using bait, lures and lead sitikers attached to 25-pound test or greater in order to haul the steelhead onto the bank -a$ soomlas possible so as-not to allow them to suffer “any nore than is necessary. The line should be attached to inexpensive rods and reels to. prevent anyone from mistaking these fishers for clitists. Anyone caught not conforming to these rules would be banished to fly fishing only sections of rivers in classified waters and be required to pay a huge fine as befits the rich and idealistic. However, anyone catching 4 fish from this area using heavier than 50i# test would be elevated to the status of CAD. That is, someone who catches and drags his catch to shore without giving a fish an inch of line in the process. This elevated status would allow him to fish with special equipment such as treble hooks and scented lures as well as International Penn Ii reels attached to solid fibre glass rods such as are used in halibut fishing and the like. This type of fishing could accomplish a great many good things if you look at them from the B.C. Wildlife Fed’s point of view. It could kill a lot of fish without affecting the stocks in the Skeena system. I know there are huge retums of steelhead in this system but isn’t it fun to practise your catch and kill/drag methods on some other area’s stocks. I believe I heard on the radio last weckend that there was a request from the B.C. Wildlife Federation to open ali of the Skeena sys- tem to steelhead catch and kill south of the Nechako River. What the hell does that mean? Another thing this proposal could achieve would be to satisfy the cravings of all CADsters and CAKers who are probably still crying in their beer when they found out that the very best methods of catching sockeye salmon was by fly fishing meth- ods and not the usual lure and bait style. It could result in the reduction in status of steel- head from mystical icon to that of the goldfish, guppie and the proverbial fish in a barrel which | am sure would please Mz. Parr no end, For certain times of the year it could keep chunks of lead and discarded spools of monofilament from decorating our river bottoms and shorelines as well as create a new recycling opportunity on the shores of Onion Lake for some enterprising young entrepeneur. It could help maintain the mortality rate of caught and killed fish at nearly 100 per cent, which is well sabove the paltry 5 per cent for CAR (catch -and release) anglers. I say nearly 100 per cent, because, unless you keep your freezer locked, fish have been known to recover from severe blows to the head and frozen -conditions to escape back to their home rivers. How do I know this? Because each year I have seen carcasses of dead fish near or at our local gar- bage dumps, or in roadside diches, that in spite of their badly freezer burned bodies, have almost made it back to the spawning grounds, I am cerlain that some have managed to go all the way. So, I would like to suggest that you keep your freezers locked, lobby to your local sport fishing Stores not lo cater to all those big spending elitist fly-fishermen whose money may just keep some of the locals in business, downplay the excitement of watching a released wild fish swim back out into the river, discourage tourists who pursue steelhead all around the world leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars in every town they visit and encourage more catch and kill of these overrated chunks of freezer food. That way there won’t be any need for a B.C, Steclhead Society or special rivers or even fishing regulations, But I guess what happened to the At- lantic salmon in the east can’t possitly happen to the steelhead out here. Clayton Lloyd-Jones Terrace B.C, Please control dogs Dear Sir: Lam sick and tired of selfish, inconsiderate and it- responsible dog owners who feel it is their right to allow their animals to run/walk uncontrolled, Legaily you must leash your dogs. An accidental escape on a rare occasion is one thing, but to bliss- fully and ignorantly allow your animal to be out of control is to violate the rights of others. As a walker, runner, cyclist, dog walker (dogs on Icash) and home owner I have the right to expect control and cooperation from you, and a stress-free outing. Do you think we enjoy being run up on by an unknown, obviously ill-mannered and possibly aggressive dog? The law says I can’t smack you or pepper spray you into understanding so you put your dog(s) at risk because one of these days I will reach my fearftolerance level and your animal will pay the price and il will be your fault. And while we're on the topic of animals, pick up your poop! All it takes is a zip lock bag and a little bending. Stop pretending you don’t see it happen. A huge thank you to those pet owners who truly do care for the safely and well being of others and their pets, for secing to it that outings are a pleasure for all concerned. Carla Kelly Terrace B.C. About the Mail Bag Latters to the editor can be mailed to ua at 3210 Clinton St, Terrace, B.C., V8G SA2. You can also fax letters to us at 250-638- 8432, Or you can emall your letter to us at Standard@kermode.net Name, address and phone number Is required for verification.