Viewpoints
Herring Harvest: An Imminent
Crisis
by
Lawrence "Snapper"
Carson
February 27, 2004
Friday
We are on the eve of destruction of the hering population in
North Behm Canal. After years of slowly diminishing populations,
this Fish and Game Board has decided to have a Sac Roe Fishery.
This comes after many long time, local residents have watched
the herring population diminish, and have basically had their
concerns and requests ignored.
What has happened to this large, year round population of resident
herring? Remember when anyone with a net could go to any harbor
in Ketchikan in the winter, and get bait or herring to eat? The
herring are not there, yet we are told by the Department of Fish
and Game that we can go to the last herring spawing grounds and
take the remaining population.
This comes after years of protecting marine mammals and years
of enhancing and raising artificial, and natural runs of salmon
in Behm Canal. What was the state wide value of these spawn herring
last year? Less than .11 per pound compared to $2.00 to $3.00
per pound for package bait herring when availabe. What can be
done? Probably not a lot, but our governor should be informed
by people who are incensed by this unwanted fishery. The stakes
are high. Why depress or destroy one of the last viable herring
populations in an area that effects so many? Have we ever had
a herring enhancement program?
The time has arrived, and we should all be aware of the ongoing
herring depletion program by our Department of Fish and Game.
Lawrence "Snapper" Carson
Ketchikan, AK - USA
Related Viewpoint:
An Urgent Letter to the Governor by Andy
Rauwolf and John Harrington - Ketchikan, AK - USA
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