Canada: Hereditary chiefs call for the federal government to halt herring fishery in the Salish Sea

Published 2024년 11월 14일

Tridge summary

The hereditary chiefs from four First Nations on the Saanich Peninsula have called for a ban on the commercial herring fishery in the Salish Sea, citing the species' extinction threat and the negative impact on other marine life. They argue that unsustainable fishing practices have led to a dramatic decline in herring numbers, exacerbated by climate change. Despite the potential economic impact, they believe a moratorium is necessary to allow the herring population to recover. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not yet responded to this request. The herring is a crucial species for the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples and plays a significant role in the tourism industry through whale-watching and chinook-salmon-fishing.

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Original content

The hereditary chiefs from four First Nations on the Saanich Peninsula demanded Wednesday that the federal government immediately ban the commercial herring fishery in the Salish Sea. In a historic public gathering in full regalia — the first in 40 years — the W̱SÁNEĆ hereditary chiefs signed a declaration at Tulista Park in Sidney saying the continued fishery threatens to cause the extinction of Pacific herring, a keystone species essential for their way of life and the wider health of the Salish Sea, including salmon, halibut, killer whales and other species they call “relatives.” With a food and bait herring opening set to begin around Qualicum on Nov. 24, the chiefs said continued openings by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada have decimated herring stocks over the decades and a moratorium is needed to allow herring time to recover. “This may be the last opportunity to stop the collapse of this species,” said Tsartlip Nation Hereditary Chief Paul Sam Sr. (Telaxten). “We need to ...

Source: Timescolonist