e-4913 (Fisheries)
- Keywords
- Chinook salmon
- Fisheries policy
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the House of Commons
- We demand immediate changes to salmon regulations;
- The Department of Fisheries and Oceans’s mandate to support fishing and the fishing economy changed to support mammals and marine life;
- We ask for a balance between the fishing economy and the protection of oceans;
- Fishermen want to protect salmon to ensure sustainability;
- Chinook salmon stocks are highest in over a decade;
- Port Renfrew fishing brings in $26M annually, was reduced to $16.5M in 2023 and will be a total loss in 2024;
- Potential economic impacts include: loss of business for local stores, first nations, hotels, restaurants and the entire tourism industry;
- Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) migration patterns show that they are not near Port Renfrew for majority of the year;
- There are three main reasons for the decline of SRKW: pollution, noise, and food;
- Pollution from urbanization, vessels, among others have not been addressed;
- Pinniped population has dramatically increased and regularly swim up river, eat the salmon before they can reach the ocean to mature;
- Noise from BC Ferries makes up 68%, merchant vessels make up 18%, and sport fishermen make up just 0.6% of the noise that impacts SRKW;
- Last minute changes to the season is disastrous for businesses and should be done a season in advance; and
- Adopt the status quo or an avoidance zone for the 2024 season to ensure the fishing economy survives until the regulations can be readdressed.
- Open for signature
- April 3, 2024, at 11:13 a.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- May 3, 2024, at 11:13 a.m. (EDT)
- Presented to the House of Commons
-
Blaine Calkins
(Red Deer—Lacombe)
June 5, 2024 (Petition No. 441-02528)