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Floating fishing lodge gets rocky reception
By Jennifer Feinberg
Chilliwack Progress
March 18, 2008
The idea of a deluxe floating fishing lodge anchored in the Fraser River could have ramifications for aboriginal fisheries, said Sto:lo Tribal Council advisor Ernie Crey.
Although officials with various agencies say only informal discussions have taken place so far about the lodge proposal, Crey said he hopes First Nations will be properly consulted before the plan becomes a reality.
“There is already conflict on the Fraser River and the 2008 salmon fishing season is not yet officially underway,” writes Crey in a letter dated March 12 to Environment Minister Barry Penner.
One of the issues is there has been no effort yet by proponents to discuss the plan with Sto:lo communities, “not even the common courtesy” to approach them about consultation, despite the legal duty to consult with aboriginals, he said.
He said he only found out about the lodge idea by checking out some sportfishing websites.
“It’s essential that there be dialogue regarding the lodge before the operators get the green light to go ahead,” Crey said in the letter, and suggested there’s still “plenty of time” for proper discussions.
Billed online as the “first ever floating lodge” on the Fraser, a few local guiding websites such as Len’s Sportfishing and Great River Fishing Adventures are proudly offering the opportunity “to enjoy world class sportfishing and a night’s stay in the 23-room lodge” for the 2008 season.
The fishing lodge is operated by West Coast Resorts, and is used for crew accommodation in Toba Inlet.
“All the amenities of a hotel but better!” reads the online advertising for the deluxe lodge. “Walk right out to your guide and boat first thing in the morning and let your dream fishing holiday begin.”
Crey said the concern is if they allow one lodge to be barged up the river into local waters, there could be more on the way.
“As the sport fishery has expanded on the Fraser so to have the conflicts between anglers and aboriginals,” he wrote in his letter to the minister.
“Anglers have pelted Sto:lo fishermen with both beer bottles and rocks. Nets owned by Sto:lo are routinely vandalized or run over by high-powered boats operated by anglers.”
Sometimes Fraser River fishermen feel they can “displace” the long-standing aboriginal fishery because they want to fish in a given area, he said.
“Both the province and the feds have encouraged and allowed for the growth of the sport fishery in an unregulated and uneven way, which has created tension and conflict,” Crey said last week. “And it’s getting worse each season.”
The stakeholders who will be party to future discussions should include the proponents, DFO, the city, and B.C. Ministry of Environment, he added.
“The meeting should take place as soon as possible,” Crey wrote.
A city staffer said the issue has not been to council yet, and only an enquiry had been received so far at city hall about mooring the floating lodge to a bank in the Fraser River’s Minto Channel, near Island 22 and the old Cattermole Lands.
DFO spokesman Mel Kotyk said Fisheries and Oceans have only had “basic discussions” with the proponent about the idea of a floating fishing lodge.
“But I have not seen any application nor has there been any dialogue yet between DFO and any of the interest groups,” Kotyk said. “We’re still getting background on the project and that’s as far as we know.”
Environment Minister Barry Penner said Friday his office had not yet received Crey’s letter.
“I would imagine a number of regulatory agencies would have to be involved on this,” he said.
By Jennifer Feinberg
Chilliwack Progress
March 18, 2008
The idea of a deluxe floating fishing lodge anchored in the Fraser River could have ramifications for aboriginal fisheries, said Sto:lo Tribal Council advisor Ernie Crey.
Although officials with various agencies say only informal discussions have taken place so far about the lodge proposal, Crey said he hopes First Nations will be properly consulted before the plan becomes a reality.
“There is already conflict on the Fraser River and the 2008 salmon fishing season is not yet officially underway,” writes Crey in a letter dated March 12 to Environment Minister Barry Penner.
One of the issues is there has been no effort yet by proponents to discuss the plan with Sto:lo communities, “not even the common courtesy” to approach them about consultation, despite the legal duty to consult with aboriginals, he said.
He said he only found out about the lodge idea by checking out some sportfishing websites.
“It’s essential that there be dialogue regarding the lodge before the operators get the green light to go ahead,” Crey said in the letter, and suggested there’s still “plenty of time” for proper discussions.
Billed online as the “first ever floating lodge” on the Fraser, a few local guiding websites such as Len’s Sportfishing and Great River Fishing Adventures are proudly offering the opportunity “to enjoy world class sportfishing and a night’s stay in the 23-room lodge” for the 2008 season.
The fishing lodge is operated by West Coast Resorts, and is used for crew accommodation in Toba Inlet.
“All the amenities of a hotel but better!” reads the online advertising for the deluxe lodge. “Walk right out to your guide and boat first thing in the morning and let your dream fishing holiday begin.”
Crey said the concern is if they allow one lodge to be barged up the river into local waters, there could be more on the way.
“As the sport fishery has expanded on the Fraser so to have the conflicts between anglers and aboriginals,” he wrote in his letter to the minister.
“Anglers have pelted Sto:lo fishermen with both beer bottles and rocks. Nets owned by Sto:lo are routinely vandalized or run over by high-powered boats operated by anglers.”
Sometimes Fraser River fishermen feel they can “displace” the long-standing aboriginal fishery because they want to fish in a given area, he said.
“Both the province and the feds have encouraged and allowed for the growth of the sport fishery in an unregulated and uneven way, which has created tension and conflict,” Crey said last week. “And it’s getting worse each season.”
The stakeholders who will be party to future discussions should include the proponents, DFO, the city, and B.C. Ministry of Environment, he added.
“The meeting should take place as soon as possible,” Crey wrote.
A city staffer said the issue has not been to council yet, and only an enquiry had been received so far at city hall about mooring the floating lodge to a bank in the Fraser River’s Minto Channel, near Island 22 and the old Cattermole Lands.
DFO spokesman Mel Kotyk said Fisheries and Oceans have only had “basic discussions” with the proponent about the idea of a floating fishing lodge.
“But I have not seen any application nor has there been any dialogue yet between DFO and any of the interest groups,” Kotyk said. “We’re still getting background on the project and that’s as far as we know.”
Environment Minister Barry Penner said Friday his office had not yet received Crey’s letter.
“I would imagine a number of regulatory agencies would have to be involved on this,” he said.
