SPECIAL REPORT
Salmon farming runs out of control
Refusal to negotiate aboriginal claims
No action on habitat protection
Supported by the provincial government, salmon farming has grown dramatically over the past few years from a handful of farms to more than 600 potential sites. Millions of eggs are being transferred from public hatcheries to fish farmers every year. Resources are being diverted from wild stock enhancement to fish farming. Markets for wild stock fish are already being effected. Disease problems remain unresolved.
In places such as Sechelt, where fish farms are concentrated, local governments are calling for a moratorium. The UFAWU has called for a moratorium. The farms threaten the livelihood of thousands of fishermen and will create a small number of jobs.
The Social Credit government has refused to heed the call for a moratorium. Leases now are being permitted within half a mile of salmon streams in violation of frequent federal and provincial pledges. Other leases are placed in traditional fishing areas, obstructing tie-up spots and gillnet drifts.
The New Democrats have stated the first priority of a new government will be wild stock development. They have promised a full review of the present fish farming regulations and action to protect the interests of local communities and the commercial fishing fleet.
The federal Constitution embodies a national declaration confirming the aboriginal rights of native people. The Social Credit government denies the existence of these rights and refuses to negotiate a settlement. The result is confrontation and injustice as aboriginal peoples take action to protect timber and fisheries resources.
The NDP is committed to negotiate aboriginal claims to resolve this longstanding issue.
It's not news to fishing industry workers that valuable fish habitat is sacrificed to poor logging practices many times each year. The situation is getting worse. Budget cuts after the last election meant a 30 percent reduction in the environment protection branch. As well, serious threats to fish runs like Alcan's Kemano Completion project are being promoted by the provincial government.
During the last several years Indian, community and union groups have pressed the provincial government to make ensure a full review of mega-projects. Numerous requests for the provincial government to provide funds to groups to defend the interests of the fishing industry have been refused.
As we enter this election, Alcan has once again slowed the flow of water over its dam to critically low levels. Yet no action has been taken by the provincial government to ensure the survival of salmon runs into the Nechako River.
The New Democrat policy includes a full review process for all new projects. The NDP is committed to developing new guidelines for forestry and other activities which impact on the salmon habitat.
FISHING INDUSTRY ELECTION CHECKLIST
The Fisherman asked Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Jim Hewitt and NDP fisheries critic Gordon Hanson to outline their parties' policies on industry issues. Several attempts to reach Hewitt proved futile. Social Credit policy is based on government statements in our files.
Social Credit Party
New
Democratic
Party
Job Creation
No efforts have been made by the current government to create more work in the fishing industry. Lobbies to keep open Oakland Fisheries in Victoria and Seal Cove in Prince Rupert were unsuccessful. After the plants closed, the government implemented a moratorium on the issuance of new plant licences.
The New Democrats are committed to job creation in the fishing industry. The NDP has promised to set up a marketing agency to support the introduction of new products and the creation of new markets. New legislation would guarantee job security to workers in industries facing plant closures.
Aboriginal title and claims
The Social Credit government has spent millions of dollars fighting aboriginal claims in court Aboriginal rights are affirmed in the Constitution. The provincial stance is creating confrontation, especially over timber and fisheries resources.
The NDP has pledged to go to the bargaining table with aboriginal peoples and the federal government to negotiate a settlement of aboriginal claims.
Safety
The Social Credit government killed Workers' Compensation Board vessel inspections in 1976. Since then more than 115 fishermen have died on the job. They refuse to inspect vessels, claiming a jurisdiction squabble with Ottawa.
The New Democrats will direct the WCB to sit down with fishermen's organizations to draft regulations to save the lives of fishermen. The pledge was repeated at the recent UFAWU lobby to Victoria.
Offshore Drilling
The Social Credit government has promised to lift the moratorium on oil exploration despite opposition from local communities and fishing industry groups.
Kemano 2
The Social Credit government wants Aican to proceed with its plans to drain more water from the Fraser and Skeena watersheds. It has refused a public hearing process which would allow the fishing industry to protect the salmon runs.
The New Democrats do not believe offshore oil exploration is justifiable economically or environmentally. The NDP has pledged to continue the moratorium on oil exploration.
The New Democrats are committed to a full public inquiry with funds to interveners before major development projects proceed. Habitat protection would be a major concern in all development
The Social Credit government allows widespread use of chemical spraying near salmon habitat Those opposing the use of the spray can only appeal after the permit has been granted. It amended pesticide legislation to make public involvement in spray decisions almost impossible.
Pesticide Spraying
The New Democrats will install a new permit granting system under which the concerns of the fishing industry and local communities will be considered before a permit is issued.
Fish Farming
The Social Credit government encouraged a chaotic land rush which has led to aquaculture leases on more than 600 sites in B.C. Calls for a moratorium to regain control of the situation have been ignored. Public environmental concerns have been rejected.
The New Democrats have given a policy priority to wild stocks and would only allow fish farming where no conflict exists. The NDP proposes a coastal zone management system to ensure that all users of public foreshore resources are protected in aquaculture development
Bargaining Rights
Unlike the east coast, where provincial governments have granted bargaining rights to fishermen, the Social Credit government has ignored UFAWU demands that fishermen be treated equally with other workers and granted full rights under the Labor Code.
The New Democrats' policy is clear: the party supports full and equal bargaining rights for B.C.'s fishermen and will introduce legislation on this issue if elected to government
THE FISHERMAN / OCTOBER 10 1986 • 5