John Cummins, M.P.
Delta-South Richmond		 News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: July 3, 1998

Anderson Double Loser

OTTAWA--"David Anderson's much touted agreement with the State of Washington to protect endangered Thompson River coho misses the mark. The provisions to protect coho are a joke," said John Cummins, M.P. (Delta-South Richmond).

The American sports fishery in the Strait of Juan de Fuca will continue to operate through much of its normal season while Canadian sport and commercial fishermen are foregoing the opportunity to harvest coho coast wide.

On July 1st Governor Locke announced the State of Washington's actions to implement the agreement with Canada:

"The Washington Fish and Wildlife commission reduced the sport salmon fishing seasons in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and San Juan Islands this summer in order to help conserve Thompson River wild coho..."

"To conserve the Canadian coho, the commission decided the sport fishing season in the Strait of Juan de Fuca (marine Areas 5 and 6) would be closed from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10. The season had been scheduled from Aug. 1 to Sept. 7. Some days may be restored to the season in the Strait if it appears commercial gillnet fishing for sockeye is limited."

The American sport fishery will open on August 11 or before even though the main body of coho are only then beginning to migrate. Canadian Department of Fisheries' scientists report that the decision to close the sport fishery between August 1 and 10 is not as favourable to the endangered Thompson River coho as a later closure would be.

"David Anderson has given 25 per cent of the sockeye returns on the Fraser this year to the State of Washington compared to 12 per cent on the last cycle year in 1994. (source: Pacific Salmon Commission Fraser River Panel Report) He sacrificed Canadian sockeye and failed to get any real protection for endangered Thompson River coho," said Cummins.

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For more information, please contact:

John Cummins, M.P.
(613) 992-2957