e-4913 (Fisheries)

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.