Pacific Wild’s Top Ten Arguments Against the Strait of Georgia Herring Fishery

Did you know, 4 out of 5 Pacific herring fisheries in British Columbia have collapsed due to population concerns? The Strait of Georgia holds the last remaining commercial fishing grounds. Here are our top 10 arguments against the Strait of Georgia herring fishery.

March 11, 2019

Contact Us

Email: info@pacificwild.org

Phone: 250-380-0547

Main Office
1529 Amelia Street, Victoria, BC
Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory
V8W 2K1

Field Office
P.O. Box 26
Denny Island, BC
Haíɫzaqv Territory
V0T 1B0

quick links

1% for the Planet Pacific Wild
Stories & News
Marine Protection Microsite
Shop
Media Kit
Donor Portal
Donor Portal (US)
Benevity Matched Payroll Giving

Charity Navigator Rating

Instagram

A huge thank you to everyone who made a donation for wildlife conservation this week on Giving Tuesday! Thanks to you, we reached our goal of $100,000 which was matched by a generous donor to $200,000! Your support makes a huge difference to our advocacy for the species and ecosystems in British Columbia, and we couldn’t be more grateful. From wolves and bears, to herring, salmon, whales and more - your contribution means that we can continue to forge a brighter future for these species and their habitats. Together we can make a difference. ⁠
⁠
The staff at Pacific Wild made a pledge that we would do a cold plunge into the Pacific ocean if we reached our goal, and thanks to you, we did! Check out our Giving Tuesday Highlight to see us dip. ⁠
⁠
Thank you again, you are a hero for wildlife! ⁠
⁠
Wildlife photography by @iantmcallister and @chris_wsr⁠
⁠
#givingtuesday2023 #givingtuesday #thankyou #wildlifeconservation #protectbcwildlife

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is accepting comments on the 2023/2024 Draft Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) for Pacific herring until December 3, 2023. Pacific Wild has submitted a response and list of recommendations. We continue to advocate for a rapid transition to ecosystem-based management of Pacific herring and a coast-wide moratorium of the gillnet and seine roe fisheries until such a time that herring populations have had time to recover in all five major fishing areas across the B.C. coast.

Highest on our list of concerns is the suggestion of a 20% harvest rate in the Strait of Georgia (SoG). The SoG is considered the last stronghold for herring on Canada’s Pacific Coast, containing about 50% of coast-wide herring biomass remaining in B.C.. If only the low end of DFO’s prediction (44,040 tons) of herring returns to spawn, a 20% harvest rate of 16,083 tons total allowable catch would represent nearly a 37% harvest rate. This vastly exceeds sustainable levels and fails to meet conservation objectives.

In addition, the continued failure of DFO to adequately acknowledge and manage resident sub-stocks, identify drivers of spawn loss, and account for shifting baseline syndrome contributes to the chronic mismanagement of herring fisheries in B.C. The Special Use herring fishery is scheduled to open in the SoG today at 18:00 and it is anticipated that the Food and Bait fishery will open in the near future.

The most effective way for you to help Pacific herring is to write to fisheries representatives telling them that you do not support the commercial gillnet and seine fishery and to support movement towards an ecosystem-based approach to management of herring in B.C.. Follow the links in our bio to read our full response to the Draft 2023/2024 IFMP for Pacific herring and speak out to protect this #BIGLittleFish for generations by sending a pre-written letter to fisheries minister Diane Lebouthillier.

Photography by @iantmcallister and @kwexphoto
#ProtectPacificHerring #PacificHerring #Herring #BIGlittlefish

A new poll by Research Co. found that marine conservation is crucial for the economic future of B.C.’s coast! ⁠
⁠
Marine conservation and renewable energy were seen by participants as most important for B.C.’s coastal economic future, with declining fish stocks topping the list of concerns for coastal communities. Open-net fish farms, bottom trawling, and climate change were not far behind on the list of concerns. ⁠
⁠
Nearly 80% of British Columbians polled support the implementation of Marine Protected Area networks as part of B.C.’s commitment to protecting 30% of land and waters by 2030. MPAs are essential for safeguarding the diverse marine ecosystems which house a rich tapestry of species. They serve as critical refuges where marine biodiversity can thrive, providing sanctuaries for fish, invertebrates, mammals and other marine organisms to reproduce and flourish. ⁠
⁠
Helping to Mitigate the impacts of overfishing, habitat destruction and climate change, MPAs contribute to the overall resilience of marine ecosystems, enhancing their ability to withstand environmental stressors. This poll demonstrates that the majority of British Columbians agree that marine conservation through the implementation of MPAs is crucial for thriving economies and ecosystems. ⁠
⁠
Read more about the poll findings at the link in our bio!⁠
⁠
Wildlife photography by @iantmcallister⁠
#MPA #marineconservation #saveouroceans #marineprotection #marineprotectedareas

Wild salmon are the lifeblood of the B.C. coast. They play a pivotal role connecting land and sea by enriching fresh water and forest ecosystems with marine-derived nutrients during their annual journey to spawn. One of the most iconic species of the Pacific Northwest, Pacific salmon are an irreplaceable link of the food web, supporting extensive biodiversity and overall ecosystem health. Conservation of these incredible fish is essential not only for the health of ecosystems, but also for the preservation of the cultural heritage of First Nations and coastal communities.

Today is Giving Tuesday - you can make a huge difference for salmon conservation efforts as all donations will be matched up to $100,000!

Want to learn more about why conservation is crucial for Pacific salmon? Check out our salmon campaign on our website, linked in our bio.

Nature photography by: @iantmcallister
Interview filmed by: @larskisaac
Interview with Marine Coursac: @marinecoursac

#pacificsalmon #givingtuesday #salmonconservation #bcsalmon #protectoldsalmon #givingtuesday2023

Today is Giving Tuesday! Today every donation you make to Pacific Wild is matched up to $100,000 thanks to a very generous donor! If you want to make a big difference for wildlife conservation, this is a great opportunity to double your impact. Pacific Wild is a leading voice in British Columbia for the protection of key species such as wolves, bears, whales, salmon, and herring as well as the ancient forests and ocean ecosystems they inhabit. Pacific Wild advocates for better practices in fisheries, forest and wildlife management, taking a stand for the wildlife and spaces B.C. is world famous for.⁠
⁠
At Pacific Wild, we believe that together we can create a world where people and wildlife coexist and thrive on this beautiful planet. Please consider joining us in our mission to protect the incredible biodiversity of species and habitats in British Columbia. We can’t do it without you! ⁠
⁠
If you’d like to contribute and have your donation matched, visit the link in our bio!⁠
To learn more about us and what we do visit our website: pacificwild.org⁠
⁠
Wildlife photography by: @iantmcallister ⁠
Drone shots by @iantmcallister and @chris_wsr⁠
⁠
#givingtuesday #wildlifeconservation #givingtuesday2023 #wilflife #marineconservation #pacificnorthwest #greatbearrainforest #makeadifference⁠

Industrial fishing, such as super trawlers, pose a formidable threat to the biodiversity of marine species in British Columbia. Trawling is destructive by nature. This indiscriminate fishing technique captures everything caught in the path of large nets. This not only results in the large-scale depletion of target fish populations, but also devastates populations of non-target species, like herring, salmon and halibut, caught, killed and (in the case of herring) discarded as bycatch. In addition, bottom trawling destroys sensitive benthic (bottom) habitats that may take hundreds, or thousands of years to recover.

By recognizing and respecting that our marine resources are not the infinite resource they have historically been mismanaged as, together we can choose a different future for B.C’s coast. You can help safeguard the intricate web of marine life and ensure the resilience of marine ecosystems for future generations - join us in our work to put an end to the over-exploitation of our oceans. Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, where your donations will be matched up to $100,000 - helping you make the biggest difference for the wildlife you care about the most!

📷 Nature photography by: @iantmcallister
📹 Interview filmed by: @larskisaac
🎙️ Interview with Sydney Dixon: @sydneycdixon

#givingtuesday #marineconservation #oceanconservation #givingtuesday2023 #protecttheocean

© 2023 PACIFIC WILD • All Photography © Ian McAllister unless otherwise noted. Website by Affinity Bridge • Privacy Policy • Terms of Service