Perhaps it's just me, but I perceive a lot of negativity lately on this site. It's understandable given our situation. I wanted to highlight a new development that should make a lot of people smile.
Last year, near Christmas, a good friend of mine from BC arrived here in Ontario with one sockeye, telling me that this might be the end. Last years catch was abysmal and the fishery was crashing hard.
The Canadian government was concerned enough to establish a commission to investigate the fishing collapse. The Cohen commission began it's work August 18th.
By the 20th of August, word began to spread. The Salmon started to run, and run they did!
By most accounts it appears we will have the largest Salmon run in almost a century this year.
1913 was the last time we had more fish running the rivers than this year.
now the bad news, yet again we were un-prepared
"People have fish going rotten in their boats; it's really bad," said 7 Seas president George Heras. "The fish is overwhelming everyone right now because there is way more than anyone expected."
Heras said there is a shortage of ice and freezer space for storing the fish, as well as a shortage of totes and processing space because many people have left the business after so many bad years.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/...
I guess the lesson in all of this is that we need to learn more about what makes our ecosystems tick. Is this 'normal'? Why did no one predict this? Clearly we know less than the fish do.