Dear the Integrated Herring Harvest Planning Committee (IHHPC),
The following comments are submitted jointly by Pacific Wild Alliance, Conservancy Hornby Island, Herring Conservation and Research Society, Saanich Inlet Protection Society, Bowen Island Conservancy, Association for Denman Island Marine Stewards, Friends of Shoal Harbour, BC Nature, Rocky Point Bird Observatory, Friends of
Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and Nature Victoria in response to the 2024/2025 Integrated Fishery Management Plan (IFMP) for Pacific herring. We stand in solidarity with the WSANEC hereditary chiefs and also make reference to supporting the Q’ul-lhanumutsun Aquatic Resources Society banning the Food and Bait in
their territories (Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Stz’uminus First Nation, and Ts’uubaa-asatx Nations).
Pacific herring are the foundation of the coastal food web in British Columbia (B.C.) and urgently need protection. We, the undersigned, advocate for a swift transition to an ecosystem approach to fisheries management of Pacific herring, alongside an immediate suspension of the commercial herring fishery in the Strait of Georgia (SoG) to allow the population to recover to historical abundance.
To read the full joint feedback document with our recommendations and scientific references, click here:
Joint Feedback on the 2024_2025 Herring Integrated Fisheries Management Plan