Page 2
THE FISHERMAN
September 6, 1963
You Have the Floor
How Aboriginals Controlled Spawning on Fraser River
Editor, The Fisherman:
As an ichthyologist of no small renown, a philanthropist, anthropologist and world traveller, I have been amazed at the momentous, shall I say, discoveries and information brought to light as a result of your recent (perish the word) strike.
There has been information released, I believe, by the biological boys, to the effect that a scientifically controlled number of spawn-ers is necessary to a good return of mature salmon. On this premise I have been investigating to ascertain the figures on the approximate number of spawners needed to guarantee a return run of 10,-000,000 sockeye salmon to the Fraser River.
It may be verified from the written records and from eyewitness accounts of "living fossils" (old Fraser River fishermen still with us) that during sockeye runs of 50 or 60 years ago, literally millions of fish ascended the Fraser.
On the basis of the scientific data released by our fisheries department on increased return through spawning control, I would suggest, my dear editor, that you relax into your plush upholstered chair, push the button for a UFAWU Bunny to bring you a cocktail and prepare yourself for some revolutionary postulates re the "impact of Fraser River salmon runs on the economy and bionomics of our aboriginals prior to the year 1 BC" (before Christine) — refer Dr. Misanthrope, "Wives and Booboos of Great
American Shamans, Cider Press. Press.
In the interest of science and without intentional violence to sacred statistics, let us assume that in the month of August in the year 5 BC, five million sockeye ascended the "Big Ugh Resarf" (meaning the Fraser).
Applying modern statistical methods, we shall assume that a five million, or 50 percent harvest had been necessary to protect the spawning grounds. (Fossil verification of 1900 AD substantiates premise. QED).
Now let us develop this theory. To harvest five million salmon then, as now, would necessitate the application of tremendous reserves of manpower (fishermen), capital (wampum), technological know-how (shamans), and equipment (spears); plus last but not least, the incentive of profit sparked by export markets.
ENGINEERING & SHIPYARD
J. B. Blake, Mgr. Complete Service for Fishermen
* Boat Building & Repairs i( Engine Repairs — Gas
and Diesel ~k Marine Railways — up to 130 Feet
Machine Shop Service
* Marine Hardware
* Marine Paints
* Chrysler Engines
* Volvo-Penta Diesel Engines
PORT HLBERNI BE
PHONES: 22 and 21
Yugoslavs Starr Earthquake Fund
Editor, The Fisherman:
Members of the Canadian South Slav Association have formed a Yugoslav Earthquake Fund in order to raise funds for people left homeless by the earthquake that hit Skoplje, capital of Macedonia, on July 26, 1963.
This appeal for help will not only be launched among old country people of Macedonian, Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian descent, but also through the media of newspaper and radio for help from any other sympathisers of our country.
Since many of the above mentioned people are employed by the fishing intustry of BC and also read your paper, we would appreciate it if you could publicise this appeal.
All donations are to be addressed to the Yugoslav Earthquake Fund at 2786 East Hastings Street, Vancouver 6, BC. An official receipt will be issued for monies received.
For additional information, please write or phone the following:
llija Popovich, president, 5056 Rupert Street, Vancouver 16, HE. 1-9496; Jeff Stark, secretary, 620 West 17th Avenue, Vancouver 9, TR. 6-1456; Steve Cvitkovich, treasurer, 2829 McGill Street, Vancouver 6, AL. 5-0148.
JEFF STARK, Secretary, Canadian South Slav Association. Vancouver, BC
We will assume (always in the interests of science), that in this year 5 BC, the great central American Indian Empire was in its heyday. This vast populace would supply the consumer market and profit motive for the Native boys in the Big Ugh Resarf District.
When the great run of sockeye was sighted moving through the "Ugh Flug" (Gulf), word wa« transmitted by hollow stump wireless, smoke signals, and mouth-to-ear transmission. The shamans, headed by Big Brother Ben KC, executed all necessary fertility rites, seal flipper rites and anyone within reach.
We must assume that the snagging and hooking of fish out of the river from wooden structures was merely a tourist caper similar to present day sportsmen at Campbell River, sport casting for tyees.
Artifacts from current middens at Marpole, etc., do not give sufficient evidence to support any assumptions of mass producing, mechanised, processing plants equipped with iron chinks, possibly because the aboriginals at that time were still in the stone age.
However, on our theory of a five million sockeye harvest in the year 9 BC due to planned economy, previous unrestricted spawing would have caused sockeye population explosion, resulting in the destruction of beds and the extermination of the fish. Therefore, we must assume that these fish were processed.
Can't you just see the Natives with a big pack fighting off the demands from the finance boys, the tax boys, the welfare boys, all clamoring for their wampum? They contact the Thunderbird Express and airlift the whole kit and ka-boodle, plus carryover from last year, down to Montezuma's boys in the Acapulco Zone, and everybody lives happily.
For your further information, the Thunderbird totem is nothing more nor less than the insignia of the big, transcontinental air service of that day! Fascinating, isn't it, to explore the possible developments of statistics?
I must cut this communication short as I am being visited by what appears to be a convention of white coated savants — possibly to confer an honorary doctorate or some such degree on me for my invaluable (?) contributions to marine science re increased salmon through controlled spawning projected backward to infinity.
BOB DONLEY
Sechelt, BC
NDP Nominee
FRANK CALDER . . . Sitting NDP member for Atlin has again won the Party's nomination in this month's provincial election. Calder, only Native Indian holding elected provincial or federal office in Canada, is president of the Nishga Tribal Council. He is employed as a clerk in the gear and net department at Sunnyside and Seal Cove net lofts of BC Packers. He has worked for the Company for 24 years.
South African Unionists Thank UFAWU for Support
Cooking Bombs Cooked Up Tale
Editor, The Fisherman:
We are currently being urged by "defence experts" to believe that Bomarc missiles can cook H-bombs on incoming aircraft.
Definitely not so, say eight physicists from the University of Alberta; unless the enemy is stupid.
A delegation of three University of Alberta scientists, Drs. Scott. Sample and Trainor, recently went to Ottawa to present a brief challenging Defence Research Board on this matter. DRB countered by declaring the brief to be a product of inexperience and naivete; that "military know-how and experience" was on the side of the Bomarcs but because of secrecy measures these eight Alberta scientists and all Canadians must accept on faith the proposition that incoming H-bombs can be intercepted and rendered harmless.
Dr. Trainor reports surprise to find the Defence Research Board using a political rather than scientific rebuttal, but a good session was had with the Committee.
Copies of "Testimony placed before the Committee" may be requested from Mr. Innes, secretary, Parliamentary Committee on Defence, West Block, Ottawa.
Once upon a time people placed faith in a Maginot Line and felt secure. Would not a critical inquiry be more fitting in today's dilemma which touches every one of us?
MARTIN ROSSANDER Powell River, BC.
Editor, The Fisherman:
We were pleased to see the article appearing in your issue of The Fisherman of July 5, 1963, with regard to the police raids on unions affiliated to the South African Congress of Trade Unions and that this matter has been drawn to the attention of New Democratic MPs H. W. Herridge and Barry Mather.
Please convey to the members of the UFAWU our sincere thanks for their support.
We regret to inform you that since February 1, 1963, we have already lost 28 of our most experienced officials and officials of our affiliated unions. Fourteen were forced to resign through banning and confining orders. Fourteen are detained in terms of the 90 days' clause of the General Law Amendment Act, 1963, and five of these detainees including our national president, Stephen Diamini, were immediately rearrested when their 90 days expired on August 8, 1963. In the case of E. Loza, chairman of our Cape Town Local committee, application was made to court for his release. The case was lost and the Judge President, Mr. Justice Beyers, said in his judgment: "What exactly a genuine release is I do not know. I can find in the wording of the section no justification for the view that the detainee must be released for a given time before he is rearrested.
"In fact, as I read the section, it seems to me that he does not necessarily have to be released at all. It seems to me that while one period of 90 days is running, a further detention can be ordered."
This means that a person can be detained indefinitely, and makes the situation very grim indeed.
With many thanks again for your continued interest and support, and with trade union greetings. P. M. ALTMAN, Assistant General Secretary South African Congress of Trade Unions, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Reynolds, Anderson. MoPherson & Co
cha.tceo accountant*
D ml 'HMMO. . Co* C » J o M«»«caao« |(4 c *
It. M WANLC.S. C A.
J a 3 aUM-AAO »TKC(T
Vaj»oottver i. B.C.
January 15th, 1963.
Here Is Positive Proof That PENT A Marine Diesels Give You Economical Trouble-Free Performance
$4790.19
WAS THE
TOTAL COST
OF PARTS TO KEEP
288
PENTA DIESEL
POWERED
B.C. FISHING VESSELS
operating continuously during the 1962 season
*orth«rn ->,-i-r * Equiraont (B.C.) Ltd. 596 W«st 5th Avwriue, Vjv.cCT.v«»r 10, B.C.
Dt»r Sirs:
W* hflVB t--o «. «i«min-itl"D of tb» Kortnpm En^in* * Equlpnant (B.C.) LtA., Pent* marine diesel p*rts sales records for the year ended December Mat, 1962. Our examination included a general review of the accounting procedures for sales and included such teats as .-<■■ considered ■•-<■. amy In the circumstances.
In our opinion, the company's Fenta nrine diesel parts sales for the jear ended December 31st, 1962 were 14,790.19 sec*!*.,rig to the test of our information and the eiplanitions piven to us and as shown by the records of the company.
Chartered Accountants.
IT'C A FAPT Scandinavians DO Build ENGINES 11 0 H mil I ""More Rugged and More Dependable
"Penta" 93 h.p.
AS LOW AS $2693.00
Other Models Are:
TMD 47: 115 HP MD 96: 165 HP
MD 67: 125 HP TMD 96: 220 HP
8 YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN SELLING AND SERVICING "PENTAS" IN B.C.
NORTHERN ENGINE & EQUIPMENT
(B.C.) LTD.
396 West 5th Avenue
Vancouver 10, B.C.
Phone: TR. 4-8111
ALERT BAY SHIPYARDS: ALERT BAY ALBERNI ENGINEERING & SHIPYARD LTD.: PORT ALBERNI
WESTERN MARINE ENTERPRISES LTD.: NANAIMO, B.C. WIDSTEN MARINE SERVICES LIMITED: BELLA BELLA, B.C.
GEORGE C. ALBRIGHT SALES: CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
BACK PAY
The Union, however, wrote the Fisheries Association on August 28 pointing out that canners were paying fishermen at the prices quoted in their last offer — 34 cents sockeye, 24 cents coho, a range of 12 to 15 cents for chums, and 10 cents for pinks. These prices have been posted on bulletin boards by Association companies.
The Union told the Association that although there is still no written agreement regarding scope and terms of reference of arbitration, the Union is not opposed to Association member firms making retroactive payments of wages and prices to all fishermen, shore-workers, and tendermen in accordance with the offer of July 16.
"We believe it would be correct for all companies to proceed with such retroactive payments immediately," the Union stated. "We are reserving our right to contend in arbitration proceedings that all remaining differences between the Union and Association as of July 19, 1963. be included in the terms of reference of the arbitration."
Fishermen Work, Canners Profit
Editor, The Fisherman:
Now they want us to have the licence to eat our own caught fish.
Some world wars ago, the actual producers of rice in China were starving to death. But in 1917-18 and 1919 and so on until 1947, Chinese ambassadors and representatives came to Canada and the United States to collect dollars and ask for a pittance from the people of the world so that the Chinese people might be able to buy a bowl of rice (their own product) before they starved to death from the terrible hunger that was in China at that time.
Rice was in China, but not dollars. Chinese money could not buy the rice. There was plenty of money but only in the hands of big shots.
Now, dollar diplomacy is being used on BC fishermen in 1963. They forbid us to sell fish to the Canadian people just because they want the profit from the fishermen for themselves. They themselves do not produce a single cent of value in their lifetime. They have a solid big bone in their stomachs and a jellyfish in their backs.
Since our wharves were built for us by our little elected federal government, we cannot afford to come to them empty all the time.
Just because we brought some fish to the general public this year, they want us to pay for the use of the wharf. The place is called NHB fishermen's wharf at False Creek. If we are denied the use of it, it might just as well not have been built for BC fishermen but for the Andorran war fleet.
Just because Mr. Fisherman brings the most healthy bone, body, teeth and brain building food from the far deep and near oceans to the peoples of his land, he is going to be forbidden to do so by a big shot, because he wants more every year for less cooperation with the fisherman.
The big wheels want more profits, more free time, more good times, better and bigger Cadillacs, and bigger and better homes, more mistresses, more money. Mind you, Mr. Fisherman, they don't produce a single cent and they have everything bigger and better than we do.
So, Mr. Fisherman, nobody is going to wake up for you if you don't wake up yourself, and don't forget to wake up your fellow fisherman as he may be fishing in the near future with you.
A. BARCOT
(On the fishing grounds near Johnstone Strait)
See us for your V-ROLLERS and GILLNET DRUMS
!. CHOLBERG
795 River Rd., Richmond CR. 8-0630 Vancouver, B.C.
TWO GREAT NAMES IN BATTERIES
DAVIDSON
and
X-L-KO
MARINE BATTERY SPECIALISTS
1900 Main St. Tel.: AL. 5-9588
Vancouver TR. 4-1414
PARTS, SALES SERVICE
SNOW NABSTEDT - WARNER CAPITOL - PARAGON
NOR-WEST GEAR & ENGINE CO. LTD.
933 Main St. Mutual 1-9632-4 Vancouver 4
B - C PROPELLER REPAIRS
Furness St.. New Westminster (Star Shipyards) Open' Sat. to Noon P. Campbell Ph. LA. 1-6222 Res. FA. 7-5404
MET DRUM DRIVES
Hydraulic and Mechanical
WINCHES KEEL COOLERS STEEL DRUMS SPOOLING GEAR ALUMINIUM NET DRUMS DRUM PANS
PEN BOARDS
RAY ADAMS MACHINE WORKS LTD.
821 Victoria St. LA. 2-0811 New Westminster, B.C.
MARINE SHEET METAL
Tanks - Stacks - Mufflers •
STABILIZERS for
Gillnetters - Trollers •
STAINLESS STEEL
GALLEY and COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
W.A.THOM
Sheet Metal Works Ltd.
MU. 4-4541 1770 W. Georgia Vancouver
REFRIGERATION
Rice & Mcintosh Refrigeration Ltd.
VANCOUVER, B.C.
300 Alexander, at Gore Ave.
AMILOCK
Trade Mark Reg.
ROOT. HANSFORD LTD.
DOUBLE KNOT NYLON SALMON GILL NETS NYLON OR COTTON, HERRING, OOLICHAN AND SMELT GILL NETS
Phone: BR. 7-7322
STEVESTON. B.C.