BCTFA NEWLETTER #10 Dec. 15, 03 Dear Member, Welcome home from the fishing grounds! I hope all went well, and you caught lots of Albacore to offset the low prices. The reports I’ve been receiving, point to a record year in production. To date I haven’t heard about one incident international or domestic on the water. Fish everywhere probably contributed to small fleets working together. I have never drove by so many boats drifting around mid afternoon! They couldn’t all be broke down. I arrived home Nov. 1, winterized the boat and sat around waiting for the phone to ring, it didn’t so I started to call around and tried to find out what’s going on. What I found out was- nothing happening. On Dec 1st DFO, T.A.B. and a collection of Ottawa Suits and Bureaucrats had a conference call. Not much more light was shed on the US/Canada new Albacore Treaty. The treaty has been ratified by the U.S. congress but "Implementing Legislation" has yet to be done. Congress will not reconvene until into the New Year. It is hoped that by the end of Jan 2004 this is completed. Tuna Advisory Board (T.A.B.) TAB meetings were held Dec. 9th and 10th in Richmond. The following are some of the topics discussed. TREATY UPDATE, POST SEASON REVIEW, CONDITION OF LICENCE, HAIL SYSTEM, LOGBOOK PROGRAM, PRELIMARY EFFORT, TREAY IMPLEMENTATION, OPTIONS FOR LICENCE CRITERIA and most importantly VERIFICATION OF RECORDS. A couple of highlight notes on the above topics, remembering that when the minutes are verified, they will be posted on the DFO- T.A. B. website. For those of you who do not have access, please feel free to call me and I’ll get a hard copy to you. Treaty Update: U.S. will be informed of Drop Dead Date April 1, 2004. In other words, both countries will have in place all implementation measures for a June 1st, 2004 entry into force date for the amended treaty. Gregg Holm from this association to sit on a Data exchange committee to meet with US counter parts in Seattle sometime in January. This sub-committee will report to the whole Bilateral meeting in March to be hosted by Canada. Seven hundred and Ten (710) U.S. boats were on a list sent to Canada with intention of fishing in Canadian Waters, which is down from 850 last year. Canada sent a list of 218 to U.S. authorities with the intent of fishing in U.S. Waters. One Hundred and Ninety Three (193) U.S., section 68 licences issued. Two hundred and three purchased logbooks. One hundred and fifty seven (157) fished in U.S. waters (prelimary) not everyone has complied with conditions of licence. Those 62 vessels that didn’t comply will receive a letter from DFO and will be dealt with. Don’t put yourself in jeopardy for next year—get your logbooks and fish slips in. They were to be in by Nov. 30th 2003. One hundred and eighty three (183) vessels hailed in to Tofino radio, who logged over 400 calls. The Canadian fleet in the U.S. EEZ used Five hundred and sixty one (561) months (preliminary). Thirty two (32) Canadian vessels fished in U.S. EEZ during the month of June. Fifty (50) Canadian and Twenty four (24) U.S, vessels fish in Canadian Zone. Two (2) U.S. vessels were spotted by Ariel surveillance that did not report in to Tofino radio. One hundred and thirty six (136) logbooks have been returned, 66 processed and put into database. U.S., reports that Canadians delivered 6.7 million lbs. into U.S, ports (Pac Fin Data). Remember it is the vessel owner’s responsibility for logbooks and fish slips from both countries to be sent into DFO. Not all buyers especially U.S. buyers, submit fish slips. It was recommended that Canada request that at the next Bilateral Meetings representatives from U.S. customs and immigration be in attendance. Verification of Records: This was the most imported key topic. DFO will be sending out a letter to all licence holders who have fished for albacore tuna requesting you to verify the landings that they have on your vessel. If you agree with their records, NO problem, need not respond to request. But if you have records other then on file this will be your final opportunity to set the records straight. DFO will look at any and all records you care to produce over and above the vessel fish slips and fish logbooks. Possible documentation that could be used to verify your landings are: 1. Ships Log 2. Dock tallies 3. Old CDN logbooks 4. Old U.S. logbooks (verified) 5. U.S. Gov. records (Pac fin) 6. U.S. Fish Slips 7. T4’s 8. Public Sales slips In early January you will receive the request and have six (6) weeks to respond. After all verification of records have been updated, T.A.B. will reconvene in late January-early February to draft "Licence Criteria" to fish in the U.S. EEZ and a ranking of the fleet will take place. To quote Lisa Mijacika at the end of the TAB meetings "We will Do It" new treaty or not. The one common sentiment expressed by all of TAB we need closure on this issue, we all need to know if albacore fishing in the U.S. zone is in the cards you hold. I will keep you informed as to any new developments. C.H.M.S.F.: I do no sit as a director of CHMSF. But, as an invited guest, I sat in on their last directors meeting held Nov. 27th 2003 in the Cowichan Bay Fishermen’s wharf association office. The BCTFA board of directors holds their board meetings there. I offered, free of charge, to CHMSF use of the office as long as the BCTFA calls Cowichan Bay their home office. When you purchased your Albacore logbooks this year, included in the package was a tuna sample kit. Only 4 samples have been collected, a very poor response. Also, four samples were collected in the 2002 season. In light of all the negative media reporting about mercury in tuna, especially this last week, we have to do testing to dispel these attacks. Without evidence to the contrary we will continue to be packaged with shark, swordfish and other large species of tuna. N.E. Pacific Albacore has to be shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that it’s fit for all humans to eat. So please get a sample into Lorne Clayton, it’s never too late to do something for your fishery. There is no cost to you; the foundation will pay for the testing. Lorne has included a short report for your information. I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. See you next year. Larry Teague, President