On Aug 4, 2022, UFAWU-Unifor learned from DFO that “marine commercial fisheries in Area 4 will close after August 7, 2022.”
As of last Aug 1, 2022, the Skeena run size was at an impressive 4.1 million — making it one of the largest in decades.
Despite such high numbers, all economic fisheries together will have caught fewer than 900,000 sockeyes by the closure.
This decision to close the fishery is not based on science and follows a trend of irresponsible decision-making by the Minister that UFAWU-Unifor finds deeply troubling. UFAWU-Unifor supports science-based decision-making.
This premature closure will be unnecessary and result in lost economic opportunities for fishers — including those in First Nations economic opportunity fisheries.
For more information, please reach out to the following UFAWU-Unifor representatives:
UFAWU-Unifor Member Mitch Dudoward — 250-954-8687
UFAWU-Unifor GEB Member Calvin Siider — 250-949-3511
Or, contact UFAWU-Unifor Communications Organizer Liam Hill-Allan at communications@ufawu.org.