Aboriginal Fishery
Angers Commercial FishermenAboriginal sockeye fishery in Steveston nets 25
Musqueam and 5 Cheam DFO charges for illegal fishery.
by Frank Dawson, Contributing Editor—Frank's NowPublic page  boriginal fishery angers Fraser River commercial fishers. There was a sockeye salmon fishery opening for Aboriginal fishers at 8:00 am this morning. I talked to David, a commercial fisher who told me that
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commercial fishers are very upset that they will have no sockeye salmon fishery on the Fraser this year. David went on to say that the commercial fishers in Steveston will eventually be squeezed out and he feels that the big guys like Jimmy Pattison will monopolize the fishing industry. (Pattison owns Canadian Fish)
According to Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), 25 Musqueam and 5 Cheam were charged for illegal fishery. Wayne Sparrow of the Musqueam said "Those fish belong to the Musqueam."
The lower Fraser River was opened to sport fishing and Aboriginal fishers this season, but not to the commercial fishers. On Sunday, 15 Musqueam fishing boat headed out of Steveston Harbour to take part in an illegal protest fishery netting them pink and sockeye salmon, plus fines. The Musqueam warned that next time there will be 70 boats out if the sports fishery is not closed. According to Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), 25 Musqueam and 5 Cheam were charged for illegal fishery. Wayne Sparrow of the Musqueam said "Those fish belong to the Musqueam."
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