BC Recreational Fishing Legal Defence Fund

BC RECREATIONAL FISHING ASSOCIATION

Preserving endangered species & endangered communities for future generations

--- Jan 2024 Update---

Please fill out the survey in the below link, your ability to fish off the Southern Vancouver Island

2024 DFO Survey

KEEP DFO ACCOUNTABLE !!!

---Sept 2023 Update---

The BC Recreational Fishing Association has now retained a recommended legal counsel from Gowlings WLG in Ottawa. Our counsel comes highly recommended and has the experience and expertise to challenge the DFO with respect to its flawed process in determining measures and restrictions to protect the Fraser River Chinook salmon and the southern resident killer whales. The first step in the action is to attain a legal opinion. Gowlings has now been engaged to complete this process. The cost for the initial legal opinion is $25,000 of which most of the funds have now been raised however we are still short about $3000.00. Once the legal opinion has been written, the next step will be determined and will likely involve filing an application for judicial review. The Federal Court has exclusive jurisdiction to review the legality of actions of most federal offices, boards, commissions, and tribunals. On this basis, a significant number of government decisions at the federal level may be challenged in the Federal Court.

We will be in touch again as things progress. There will be a significant requirement for more funds to pay for the next steps. Please spread the word to any all persons in the recreational fishing community as a small donation from each person in the larger community will create the best opportunity to be successful in preserving our fishery for future generations. Thank you for your support.

The Current BC Recreational Fishing Association Executive Team

Karl Ablack, Port Renfrew Management Ltd. - Port Renfrew

Chris Tucker, Wild Coast Wilderness Resort - Port Renfrew

Matt Wiley, Wiley Sport Fishing - Port Renfrew

The BC Recreational Fishing Association supports the protection and preservation of the SRKW, Fraser River Chinook salmon and other endangered species. We are supportive of doing what it takes to ensure the preservation of the species and our endangered communities.

Thank you all for your support to date!

---Original Post ----

Preserving Our Way of Life: Standing Together Against Unjust DFO Regulations

Dear Supporters,

We are rallying together to challenge the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and demand fair and science-based regulations. For far too long, the DFO has made decisions driven by politics rather than sound scientific principles. Last-minute rule changes have had a devastating impact on small business owners, particularly those running charter businesses in rural and remote areas. Entire small towns and countless families have been affected by these sudden shifts, particularly here on Vancouver Island.

By contributing to this campaign, you can help us hire the legal experts we need to engage with the DFO to ensure our voices are heard. We have exhausted every other avenue, imploring the DFO to prioritize scientific evidence over the influence of special interest groups. As passionate recreational fishers, we are deeply invested in the long-term stability of our fisheries and the well-being of fish stocks. Every day, we witness the repercussions of the DFO's decisions, which seem to focus on the sport fishing industry while neglecting the real underlying issues.

What we seek is stability in this industry. We are not advocating for a complete absence of rules; rather, we are demanding informed regulations that remain fixed for at least a full season. It is imperative that regulations be released one year in advance, not merely days before they are enforced. Charter operators and the industries that rely on and support them require this level of stability to thrive. Our ultimate vision is to foster flourishing fisheries and communities that benefit us all.

We intend to work collaboratively with the DFO to establish fair, stable, and fact-based regulations. However, despite our efforts to engage in dialogue, the DFO has turned a deaf ear to our concerns. It is time for us to raise our voices, amplify our message, and compel the DFO to listen.

Enough is enough. We will not remain silent any longer.

We Support measures to protect the Fraser River Chinook Salmon and other endangered species and we urge you to stand with us in preserving our way of life for the sake of our present and future generations. Together, we can create lasting change and secure a sustainable future for many generations to come.

Thank you for your support,

BC Recreational Fishing Association

The goals of the BC Recreational Fishing Association are;

1) Create a unified voice encompassing all coastal communities on the north, central and south coast of British Columbia including Vancouver Island.

2) Raise necessary funds to engage the DFO in a legal challenge to their lack of transparency and untimely process.

The funds collected will be used exclusively toward the legal challenge to the DFO. No funds will be used for the operation of the BCRFA as it is a fully volunteer group and all operational costs are borne by the members as needed. Any funds collected beyond what is needed will be donated to further fish enhancement programs.