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Dave's fishery report: early Denman spawn ends; widely-varying
Overview: UBC scientists are put in the uncomfortable position of developing historic reconstructive ecosystem models that may, when the final assessments of past abundance of herring are made, put them in conflict with the DFO statement that herring stocks in the Strait of Georgia are at "historic high levels" (see below). However the continued advocacy at UBC and other universities in recent years of the exclusive of highly complex computer models (that can only be run by a university graduate/DFO "elite" in Canada), that have failed in Canada and worldwide to provide an adequate, practical tool for effective fisheries management and in fact may be directly responsible for many fisheries collapses, is discussed. Five commercial fishers continue to "guestimate" the total biomass of all of the herring in the Strait of Georgia, but the herring killed during test fishing, and also that discarded in past fisheries, is not entered into the DFO data base used for management.
Analysis: The relationship between the University of British Columbia, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the private sector can be strained when research is conducted at the university that could reach conclusions that are not convergent with DFO stock assessments. An example is the attempt at UBC to develop a "guestimate" of the herring biomass in ancient times in the Strait of Georgia, a provocative research topic never considered by the DFO. However, the wide range of potential outcomes now seriously puts into question not only the current DFO conservation objectives in this and other fisheries, but also the methods used by both parties. Many DFO fisheries managers continue to obtain their training at UBC, a world renowned School of Fisheries, but the continued domino-like collapse of most fisheries in B.C., and the world, must ultimately bring into question the integrity, efficiency, and ultimate practicality of the computer-modeling-dominated fisheries management methods that have been the focus at UBC and other major fisheries schools in recent years. Fish For Life feels that following acknowledgment and admission of failure of the current fisheries management paradigm (this has not occurred as yet) the quantitative "modeling" fisheries management methods now widely used will gradually be phased down as they introvert, abstract, and render impotent what is by nature a dynamic and extroverted, "hands on" fisheries management process, where social science training and extensive field experience is much more important than highly-hypothetical mathematical modeling. The fact remains that in fisheries management much is either unmeasurable in real time, or too costly to measure precisely at all. (A case in point are the new dive spawn surveys that are supposedly now used for all herring spawns in B.C., a logistically impossible task in the short time period afforded by nature; Fish For Life believes we know less than ever before about the real extent of herring spawning in B.C., simply because we insist on using a method that is too "high tech").
Analysis (fisheries professors and managers legally liable?): At this time, detailed quantitative assessment ("modeling") is considered the only "valid" method of fisheries assessment and management, in what future sociological analysis may discover were not accountable or practical methodologies, but a means of creating a professional monopoly over fisheries management by a certain subset of elite professionals. If so, these professionals may in future be legally liable to fishers and communities that have suffered emotional or financial losses due to fishery collapses.
Note (herring behavior): On a daily basis, herring schools move from the sea bottom to
the sea surface. In this season the herring are focusing on spawning and not feeding, so these daily migrations are largely a response to the weather, or, more rarely, to predators. Most but not all of the fish observed will be "migratory" herring en route to the last remaining major spawning area in the Strait of Georgia, at Hornby and Denman Islands, and the coastline south to Nanoose. The daily estimates of what can be found and estimated by these skilled fishers varies greatly, but generally increases as the fish aggregate for the major spawning event (now March 16 current mean weighted date of spawning) at Hornby-Denman islands. The fishers seek out and set their nets on the schools, releasing all but a bucket or two of samples from each "set" for analysis (of the survival of each "year class" found therein). The netted herring are then "released", but as herring will die if more than 10% of their very-loose scales are lost, and because they are then more susceptible to predators such as harbour seals or dogfish that are attracted by the scale loss that always accompanies fishing, the issue of the subsequent total mortality is considered a conservation issue by the FFLF. In our view, an estimate of the total "discard" mortality due to test and commercial fishing should be deducted from the catch quota as is the case now in the bottom trawl and salmon chinook troll fisheries (to the credit of the fisheries managers involved), and added to the annual catch figures. The FFLF has found through "access to information" research and discussion with managers and fishers that "discard" mortalities in past herring fisheries have on some years been as large or larger than the official recorded catch. Estimates of these mortalities have always been "covered up", rather than added to the historic database, now a necessary exercise if a proper historical analysis is to made of the effects of fishing on now-extirpated localized herring populations (or "serial overfishing"), a process that has led to the loss of access to herring by all native tribes in the Strait of Georgia and thousands of sportsfishers. This unaccounted-for mortality factor also renders impotent the current DFO "cut off" assumption that the herring "catch" is only 20% of the total herring biomass.
Analysis (fox in the henhouse" fisheries management?): As fishermen make the sounding estimates for herring aboard these fishing vessels, the fisheries managers are put in the uncomfortable position of being public servants who rely on fishermen to tell them how many fish there are. On the BC commercial fishers list serve, the fishers in 1999 vehemently protested the Fish For Life Foundation's conclusion that it was inappropriate for fishers to do what scientists are supposed to be doing, and they noted the high levels of expertise the experienced fishers do have.
(Re)-analysis: (Analysts learn something each year too): The Fish For Life Foundation's position in 2000 following discussion with Alaskan managers and after hearing out the herring fishers in 1999 is that the fisher's are indeed correct in their point that they actually have more expertise in how to estimate herring biomass (albeit learned-by-doing) than any of the presently-under-trained-in-acoustics Canadian fisheries officers or scientists. However, the Fish For Life Foundation believes that the only credible alternative from a public policy perspective is for these assessments to be made at "arm's length" from the private sector by experienced Fisheries Officers, who should be trained both formally and by the fishers. Also, the daily estimates should be sent privately to the fisheries managers, and never publicized over the radio waves (as is now the case) to avoid any possible private sector lets-fish-NOW hysteria or influence over the DFO decision as to when to open the fishery.
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FISHERY NOTICE - FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
CATEGORY(S): COMMERCIAL - ROE HERRING TEST FISHERY,COMMERCIAL - ROE HERRING SEINE,COMMERCIAL - ROE HERRING GILLNET
SUBJECT: FN0119- ROE HERRING - STR OF GEORGIA, WCVI
STRAIT OF GEORGIA
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AREA 14
SHELTER POINT TO CAPE LAZO FEB 23 - NO FISH FOUND. .
DENMAN ISLAND EAST COAST FEB 25 4,5005,000 TONS @ 1.9 MILES E OF SANDY ISLAND;
- GN TEST FEB 26 - 13.3%, 51:45, #42-3-0 @ 1 MILE N OF FILONGLEY PARK; - GN TEST FEB 25 - 9.3%, 47:62, #43-14-5 @ KOMAS BLUFF; - GN TEST FEB 25 - 9%, 51:53, #40-7-7-6 SPAWNED OUT @ LOGGING SLASH; - SN TEST FEB 24 - 6.8%, 19.9CM, 63:75, #40-13-22-1 JUV @ 3 MILES S OF KOMAS BLUFF;
- SN TEST FEB 24 -1.5%, 19.1 CM, 102:64, #11-5-47-4 JUV @ 1.6 MILES E OF SANDY ISLAND;
- SN TEST FEB 23 - 1.5%, 18.8 CM, 81:86, #10-7-70-6 JUV @ 1.9 MILES E OF SANDY ISLAND.
LAMBERT CHANNEL TO CHROME ISLAND FEB 26 - 30,000 TONS; LAMBERT CHANNEL - NORRIS ROCKS; FEB 22 - 1%, 19.4 CM, 70:82, #8106412 JUV @ 0.5 MILES N OF EAGLE ROCK.
HORNBY ISLAND EAST COAST FEB 26 2,000 TONS.
TRIBUNE BAY/HORNBY LOWER FEB 25 - 200 TONS.
BAYNES SOUND UPPER FEB 26 - SCRATCHES.
BAYNES SOUND LOWER FEB 25 - 350 TONS (SMALL SCHOOLS).
MAPLEGUARD POINT - NILE CREEK FEB 25 - NO SOUNDINGS.
NILE CREEK TO FRENCH CREEK FEB 25 - NO FISH FOUND.
FRENCH CREEK TO NORTHWEST BAY FEB 25 - NO FISH FOUND.
TOTAL: 37,05037,550 TONS.
AIRCRAFT FLIGHT THIS A.M. REPORTS THE SPAWNING ACTIVITY ON THE EAST COAST OF DENMAN ISLAND HAS DIMINISHED FROM YESTERDAY. THERE IS A TOTAL OF 1.5 MILES OF ACTIVE SPAWN FROM ˝ MILE BELOW FILLONGLEY PARK TO BELOW THE LOGGING SLASH. IT IS LIGHT TO MEDIUM INTENSITY AND SOMEWHAT INTERMITTENT. THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 16 SMALL TO MEDIUM SCHOOLS OF FISH OBSERVED IN SHALLOWS FROM FILLONGLEY TO WHITE SPIT.
AREA 17 NORTH
DORCAS PT-SCHOONER COVE FEB 24 - 70 TONS OFF BALLENAS ISLAND.
NANOOSE INNER - NO FISH FOUND.
NANOOSE OUTER FEB 24 1,000 TONS OFF MAUDE ISLAND; FEB 24, 0%, 19.5 CM, 73:68, #1-6-60-4 JUV @ 1 MILE N OF ICARUS POINT.
BLUNDEN POINT - NECK POINT - NO SOUNDINGS.
NECK - DODDS NARROWS - NO SOUNDINGS.
TOTAL: 1,070 TONS.
STRAIT OF GEORGIA TOTAL: 38,120-38,620 TONS.
AT THIS TIME THE GN FLEET IS ADVISED THAT THE 24 HR ADVANCED WARNING WILL BE REMOVED EFFECTIVE 1000 HRS TOMORROW, FEB 27. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT A GN FISHERY IS IMMINENT BUT SIMPLY ALLOWS THE MOST FLEXIBILITY WITH THE POOL FISHERY AND KEEPS ALL OPTIONS OPEN.
REMOVING THE 24 HR NOTICE IS SIMPLY TO KEEP ALL OPTIONS AVAILABLE UNDER THE POOL FISHING STRATEGY.
THE FLEET IS REQUESTED TO STANDBY FOR THE REGULAR DAILY BROADCASTS AT 1005 AND 1805 HRS ON 78A AND 2318.
WCVI
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AREA 23 - BARKLEY SOUND
CHROW ISLAND FEB 26 - 3,500 TONS; FEB 26 - 1.8%, 18.7 CM, 92:63, 13- 14-36, SAMPLE NOT REPRESENTATIVE.
MAYNE BAY LYALL POINT FEB 26 - SCRATCHES.
PAGE ISLAND FEB 25 - 50 TONS.
TANU ARRIVED IN BARKLEY SOUND FEB 25.
TOTAL: 3,550 TONS.
AREA 24 - CLAYOQUOT SOUND
SYDNEY INLET FEB 24 - 7,000-8,000 TONS; FEB 24 - 3.25%, 21.4 CM, 54:32, #16-6-32.
SHELTER INLET FEB 25 200 TONS.
HAYDEN PASS FEB 25 100 TONS.
SULPHUR PASS FEB 25 100 TONS.
HERBERT INLET FEB 25 100 TONS.
TOTAL: 7,500-8,500 TONS.
AREA 25 NOOTKA/ESPERANZA
NOOTKA SOUND FEB 23 - 400 TONS (ZUCIARTE CHANNEL).
DOUBLE ISLAND;
- FEB 26 - 6.1%, 21.3 CM, 48:62, #26-10-38-1 JUV; - FEB 24 - 4.0%, 20.9 CM, 50:76, #17-7-53-1.
ESPERANZA INLET FEB 26 - 4,000 TONS.
TOTAL: 4,400 TONS.
AREA 26 - KYUQUOT SOUND
NO HERRING LOCATED, FEB 25 - 500 TONS SARDINES.
AREA 27
TEST SEINE SOUTHERN PROVIDER STARTS SOUNDING/TESTING PROGRAM SAT, FEB 26.
WCVI TOTAL: 15,45016,450 TONS.
FISHERIES & OCEANS OPERATIONS CENTER - FN0119 February 26, 2000 1232
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FISHERY NOTICE - FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
CATEGORY(S): COMMERCIAL - ROE HERRING TEST FISHERY,COMMERCIAL - ROE HERRING SEINE,COMMERCIAL - ROE HERRING GILLNET
SUBJECT: FN0120- ROE HERRING - STRAIT OF GEORGIA & WCVI
STRAIT OF GEORGIA
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AREA 14
SHELTER POINT TO CAPE LAZO FEB 26 - NO SOUNDINGS.
DENMAN ISLAND E COAST FEB 27 NO ESTIMATE; - SN TEST FEB 27 0%, 17.8 CM, 55:54, #1-4-43-90 SO-1JV @ I MILE NORTH PALISER ROCK;
- GN TEST FEB 26 13.3%, 51:45, 42-3-0 @ 1 MILE NORTH FILONGLEY PARK; - FEB 26 - 15.1% 37:57, 56-1-0 @ BELOW FILONGELEY PARK; - FEB 26 - 12.5% 48:44, 43-1-0 @ FILONGLEY PARK.
LAMBERT CH TO CHROME ISLAND FEB 26 P.M. 30,000 TONS LAMBERT CH NORRIS THIS A.M. FISH MOVING ALONG BEACH, NO ACCURATE ESTIMATE.
SN TEST: FEB 26 - 4.25%, 19.2CM, 84:76,# 27-12-37-6 JUV @ 0.4 MILE NE EAGLE ROCK.
HORNBY ISLAND E COAST FEB 27 2,000 TONS.
TRIBUNE BAY/LOWER HORNBY FEB 27 SCRATCHES.
UPPER BAYNES SOUND FEB 26 100 TONS LOWER BAYNES SOUND FEB 27 NO SOUNDINGS.
MAPLEGUARD PT - NILE CREEK FEB 27 FISH OBSERVED IN SHALLOWS.
NILE CREEK TO FRENCH CREEK FEB 27 FISH IN SHALLOWS, AROUND NILE CREEK.
FRENCH CREEK TO NORTHWEST BAY FEB 26 NO FISH FOUND.
TOTAL: 32,100 TONS.
AIRCRAFT FLIGHT THIS A.M. REPORTS NO ACTIVE SPAWN ON THE EAST COAST DENMAN ISLAND. THERE IS A VERY GOOD SHOWING OF FISH IN LARGE SCHOOLS FROM THE LOGGING SLASH TO WHALEBONE PT. THE FISH IS FAVORING THE DEEPER WATER AND NOT TIGHT TO THE BEACH. FISH WERE OBSERVED DOWN AS FAR AS GRAVELLY BAY. IN THE AREA BETWEEN MAPLEGUARD POINT AND BIG QUALICUM RIVER THERE WERE SEVERAL SMALL SCHOOLS IN QUALICUM BAY, 1 LARGE SCHOOL AT THAMES CREEK, AND 6 GOOD SCHOOLS BETWEEN THAMES CREEK AND BOWSER.
AREA 15
FEB 27 100 TONS.
AREA 17 NORTH
DORCAS PT-SCHOONER COVE FEB 27 NO NEW SOUNDING.
NANOOSE OUTER FEB 24 1,000 TONS OFF MAUDE ISL.
BLUNDEN PT-NECK PT - NO SOUNDINGS NECK-DODDS NARROWS- NO SOUNDINGS.
TOTAL: 1,070 TONS.
AREA 17 SOUTH
UPPER STUART FEB 26 100 TONS.
TRINCOMALI CH FEB 27 750 TONS.
TOTAL: 850 TONS.
STRAIT OF GEORGIA TOTAL: 34,120 TONS.
AT THIS TIME THE GILLNET FLEET IS ADVISED THAT THE 24 HR ADVANCED WARNING IS NOW OFF. REMOVING THE 24 HR NOTICE IS SIMPLY TO KEEP ALL OPTIONS AVAILABLE UNDER THE POOL FISHING STRATEGY.
THE FLEET IS REQUESTED TO STANDBY FOR THE REGULAR DAILY BROADCASTS AT 1005 AND 1805 HRS ON 78A AND 2318.
WCVI
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AREA 23 - BARKLEY SOUND
CHROW TO FORBES FEB 26 3,500 TONS.
CHROW ISLAND FEB 26; 2.6%, 19.38 CM, 75:67, #20-23-26-1; - FEB 26; 1.8%,18.7 CM, 92:63, #13-14-36, SAMPLE NOT REPRESENTIVE.
MAYNE BAYLYALL POINT FEB 26 - SCRATCHES.
PAGE ISLAND FEB 26 - 100 TONS.
TOTAL: 3,600 TONS.
AREA 24 - CLAYOQUOT SOUND
SYDNEY INLET FEB 26 - 3-4,000 TONS; 10.4%, 22.1 CM, 55:53, # 39-5-10- 1:
- FEB 24; 3.25%, 21.4 CM, 54:32, #16-6-32, SHELTER INLET FEB 25 - 200 TONS.
HAYDEN PASS FEB 25 - 100 TONS.
SULPHUR PASS FEB 25 - 100 TONS.
HERBERT INLET FEB 25 - 100 TONS.
HESQUIAT HARBOUR FEB 26 200 TONS.
TOTAL: 3,700 - 4,700 TONS.
AREA 25
NOOTKA SOUND FEB 26 - 1,000 TONS (ZUCIARTE CHANNEL).
ESPERANZA INLET FEB 26 - 4,000 TONS.
DOUBLE ISLAND FEB 26; 6.1%, 21.3CM, 48:62, #26-10-38-1; - FEB 24; 4.0%, 20.9 CM, 50:76, #17-7-53-1.
TOTAL: 5,000 TONS.
AREA 26
KYUQUOT SOUND NO HERRING LOCATED. 500 TONS SARDINES FEB 25.
AREA 27
FORWARD INLET 1,000 TONS.
WCVI TOTAL: 13,30014,300 TONS.
SEINE VESSELS LICENCED FOR THE WCVI ARE REQUESTED TO HAIL INTO THE TANU UPON ARRIVAL ON THE GROUNDS. GILLNET VESSELS ARE REQESTED TO HAIL INTO THE ROYAL VIKING.
FISHERIES & OCEANS OPERATIONS CENTER - FN0120 February 27, 2000 1045
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UBC FISHERIES SCIENTIST ASKS FISH FOR LIFE TO PRINT DISCLAIMER REGARDING PAST HERRING ABUNDANCE:
"Dr Tony Pitcher, the director of the fisheries centre at UBC, has asked me to note that the estimate of 50% of past herring abundance noted in the "Back to the Future" study conducted at UBC was not an "estimate" as Fish For Life had incorrectly stated, but was only a guess based on a balanced ecosystem model. He notes "We think it might be of the right order because of the need for herring to have served as food for the resident humpback whales that were present in the SoG [Strait of Georgia] then, but please note we have performed no scientific validation of the figure as yet. We hope to do that work during the coming year." Dr. Pitcher: All due apologies for the mis-quote. David Ellis, for the FFLF
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David W. Ellis,
Executive Director,
The Fish For Life Foundation
3872 Point Grey Road
Vancouver, B.C.
V6R 1B4
Canada
Phone: (604) 221-7577
FAX: (604) 221-7544
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