Fraser Sockeye: Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

Here's a story from the Abbotsford News

By JOE MILLICANAbbotsford News
A storm is brewing on the Fraser River over claims of illegal drift-net fishing by First Nations bands, stretching from Mission Bridge up to Hope.
A range of groups and individuals say the issue is getting out of hand, claiming there is no monitoring of illegal practices and a lack of action by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to crackdown on culprits.
However, June Quipp, the former chief of the Cheam Band which is at the centre of the complaints, says aboriginal fishers are acting within their rights.
Quipp has also hit back at allegations that the band is threatening the future of certain fish stocks by catching large numbers in their drift-nets.
"Our concern is always for conservation, and our fishing does not make a difference as to whether a stock is wiped-out," Quipp said yesterday.
"We are the rightful owners of the fish. No treaties have ever been signed and we have never been paid for anything.
"We actually still own it (the land where the river lies) and anyone else using it, as far as I am concerned, is in contempt of the courts. That includes the DFO."
Quipp says band members fish "according to the court's decision," which she says puts "conservation first and First Nations second."
And rather than being given preferential treatment, she says the DFO is "discriminatory" as all First Nations fishers are forced to count out their catch in front of fisheries officials at the end of any given day.
"We are used as scapegoats by the DFO - they just want someone to blame," Quipp said.
"For a long time the DFO has been making the wrong decisions under pressure from sports fishers and commercial fisheries."
Sportfishing Defence Alliance of B.C. president Bill Otway says government ministers have "totally ignored" illegal drift-net fishing in the Fraser for five years.
However, whereas in the past he says the practice was only taking place upstream from the Agassiz Bridge, it has now spread downstream to Mission.
"This is a national disgrace," Otway said Thursday.
Otway fears there is "no hope at all" of the situation improving unless Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) minister Geoff Regan makes a stand.
He is also concerned the problem could escalate, with previous law abiding First Nations bands taking advantage of a lack of enforcement. Otway, however, was quick to point out his concerns are not race-related.
"We don't care if they are black, white, yellow, green or whatever.
"The same law should apply to all Canadians," Otway said.
Otway has sent three letters to Regan, but says he has only received one response.
That response, in June, saw Regan confirm that drift fishing is being carried out by First Nations bands - predominantly Cheam, but also Sto:Lo.
Wayne Harling, co-chairman of the B.C. Wildlife Federation's saltwater committee, said his organization fears for the future of at-risk salmon stocks.
"It's safe to say the Wildlife Federation is simply appalled that the Ministry of Fisheries will not take action," Harling said.
When asked whether those responsible for the drift-net fishing had a role to play themselves, Harling gave a frank response.
"We are dealing with a small group who just do not give a damn. They have the morals of an alley cat - they have no ethics at all."
Harling fears for the future of a number of different fish stocks.
And while stopping short of suggesting these stocks may be wiped out altogether, he says they are being put in a "precarious position."
Rod Clapton, president of the B.C. Federation of Drift Fishers, says the Fraser River fishing playing field is uneven.
"The bottom line is there is a huge double standard here (between First Nations and non-native fishers)," Clapton said.
"But is seems that no matter how often this issue is brought forward, this nonsense still goes on."
Clapton said the "only hope" for a resolution would have been a change in federal government.
However, he now accepts there is no quick solution.
"This is such a hot potato both federally and provincially that nobody wants to touch it," Clapton said.
Local fisherman Bob Kwak says he regular goes out on the water and sees First Nations bands drift fishing, but says there is "no monitoring" from the river banks.
"There are guys you hear saying 'we may as well get drift nets and do it ourselves.' There is no-one checking at all," Kwak said.
"It is not just that they are breaking the law, but it is because they are purposefully doing it in front of everybody."
"We just feel frustrated - we can't do anything."
Deborah Phelan, communications director for DFO's Pacific Region, says DFO staff regularly monitor the river and take action if they deem it necessary.
"There is enforcement action if it is determined there is illegal fishing going on," Phelan said.
"Charges can be laid if it comes down to that, and that goes for all the fisheries."
Phelan suspects that some of the First Nations groups perceived as fishing illegally may not actually be breaking the law, pointing out that some First Nations bands do have permission to fish in the Fraser River on certain days.
"It may be they have an opening (to legally fish) and these openings fluctuate," she said.
Regan attempted to pour water on the fire on Wednesday, making a short-term announcement for the 2004 salmon fishing season on the lower Fraser River.
According to Regan, the arrangements aim to meet the aspirations of the First Nations without displacing commercial fishermen.
Under the plan, Regan says a number of First Nations bands can fish for Fraser River sockeye, providing it is for either food, social or ceremonial purposes.
Half of this allocation will then be transferred to a First Nations commercial fishery, Regan said.
To assist river conservation, First Nations fishers will have their catches monitored by DFO staff, and will have mandatory landing stations, the minister added.
The Cheam Band is located on the north shore of the Cheam Lake, approximately 20 miles east of Chilliwack on Highway 1.
Current band chief, Sydney Douglas, was not available for comment yesterday.