Editor:
Re: “Wharf needs moratorium,” Letters, Dec. 20.
I would like to address the ridiculous campaign by the Davis Bay/Wilson Creek/Selma Park Community Association to ban fishing and crabbing on the Davis Bay Pier.
If these people were truly concerned about the marine environment, they would be focusing on protecting the herring eggs from being killed by the creosote in the pilings. Herring stocks are one of the most important keys to a healthy fishery. The added boost to the herring population would go a long way to support all of the marine life in the area.
The RCMP could take some of their break time walking out on the pier with their coffee, and in a friendly, non-combative conversation, ask the fishers how they are doing. I am sure that would end any small amount of illegal fishing activities.
The people casting off the shore and the boaters setting crab traps and fishing for salmon and cod from their boats catch many times the amount taken by the fishers on the pier. Are these people next on the list?
I toured the pier at this writing and there was no issue of any kind. The pier was squeaky clean and the half dozen fishers were enjoying the day.
This letter to the editor documenting the decline in the fishery, without even mentioning the damage the pier pilings are doing to the herring, proves to me that there is an agenda that is not related to the marine habitat.
The 18-month moratorium is clearly an “end around” and if granted, would mean the end of fishing forever. Your paper calls itself the voice of the Sunshine Coast, so why not have a reporter check on some of the Davis Bay/Wilson Creek/Selma Park allegations and maybe give a voice to some of the people on the pier.
Ken Hemmings, Sechelt
