2001 RESOLUTIONS
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RESOLUTION
#6: STRAIT OF GEORGIA RECOVERY PLAN
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| For decades, the Strait of
Georgia (the water body between Vancouver and Vancouver Island) has
been subjected to over-fishing (in addition to other serious
environmental impacts). It is the recreational backyard of the
majority of British Columbians and millions of visitors. It is
home to Orca whales, eagles, five species of salmon, and hundreds of
other species that are part of the food chain. It includes the
estuary of the Fraser River, the largest river in British Columbia,
Canada. |
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| Preliminary information
shows a decline in several fish species, including the ling cod and
other rockfish due to commercial harvest and by-catch. |
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| The Sierra Club of British
Columbia and other groups believe that the long-term public interest in
the conservation of the Strait of Georgia's marine ecosystetem should
come before all other short-term resource extraction. |
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| The following measures are
necessary to protect and restore the marine ecosystem health of the
Strait of George, and to protect and restore the abundance and
diversity of the Strait's resident fish species: |
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| The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs supports: | |
| 1) Closure of recreational
fishing for ling cod and all species of rockfish in the Strait of
Georgia; |
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| 2) immediate closure of
the areas of the Strait of Georgia, and immediately adjacdent waters,
in which bottomfish are caught by commercial hook-and-line fishers; |
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| 3) establishment of a
network of "no-take reserves" throughout the Strait of Georgia
including the Orca Pass Marine proposal; and |
|
| 4) a firm committment to
scientific research funds of at least $5 million by Fisheries and
Oceans Canada. |
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