West Coast/ Pacific Fisheries Most important fish on the West Coast = Salmon These Salmon hatch in freshwater streams, swim to Pacific Ocean for adult lives, enter coastal water for summer and fall (where fisherman await) if escaping nets swim back to the freshwater streams,lay their eggs (spawning) then die

Harvesting Salmon Gill nets – a curtain line net catches fish by gills Purse seins – a net designed to encircle and trap a school of fish Troll line – steel line over a boat with lures to hook salmon

Partial Collapse (warned by East Coast) 1994 – 1 million less salmon arrived at spawning ground in BC Why? Overfishing Changes in Environment – warmer waters = relocate Lack of Salmon Fishing Treaty – long dispute between Canada and US on where and how much salmon can be caught (Can. Says catch less to preserve, AM. Says there’s no problem) = AM’s fishing, Can’s not

Fewer Fish, Higher Demand First Nations – right to fish for own food Sport fishing – want bigger share Commercial fishing – want bigger share Government needs to ensure adequate breeding stock = reduced commercial salmon fleets Page 291 #4