Stillwater Slim on the Line... June 19, 2012

Welcome to River Magic

Help Needed!

Last week our federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced closure of several sections of Nova Scotia’s St. Mary’s River to all fishing again in 2012.

This decision and the closure of the catch-and-release salmon angling fishery are based upon DFO’s controversial salmon population assessment data that is widely disputed by community residents and observers.

DFO also announced that their Mersey Biodiversity Facility, near Liverpool NS, will close by 2014. The former Mersey hatchery works in conjunction with the one in Coldbrook NS as a hatchery and gene bank for Atlantic salmon and the endangered Atlantic whitefish.

This move strangely comes as DFO considers endangered status for salmon populations from Nova Scotia’s South and Eastern Shore streams. It is also considered likely that Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy endangered salmon populations will disappear without live gene banking support.

New fish farms in Nova Scotia require approval by our provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the federal DFO. Both continue to approve and support these fish farms despite overwhelming evidence that they are likely to harm our remaining valuable wild fish populations, the lobster and crab fisheries, and small business and tourism interests in the region.

Canso residents are worried that their DFO office is being considered for closure, despite the importance of fisheries protection in the region.

In all of this we see the continuing requirement for government support for Nova Scotia’s rural communities and recovery of wild fish populations that DFO is responsible for.

Both provincial and federal governments really should be a lot more supportive of Nova’s Scotia’s valuable tourism and wild fishery resources, especially given the uncertain future of our forestry industry.

Fishing Derby

This Saturday, June 23, 2012, the Eastern SportFish Association (ESA) hosts a fishing derby at Nimrod’s Rest Campground on Hwy 211 near Sherbrooke NS. Derby time is 8 am – 12 noon. Rain date is Sunday, June 24.

There will be contests, prizes and a barbeque. All are welcome.

Derby highlights will be posted and updated on ESA’s website, www.sportfishns.

Association for the Preservation of the Eastern Shore (APES)

This salmon fly was designed by Sheet Harbour fly tier Chris Williams to symbolize resource and cultural values of the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia and its communities.

The APES fly consists of the following:

· A tag of flat holographic tinsel which symbolizes the value of wild Atlantic salmon,

· a butt of hot red which symbolizes the value of lobster and crab to the entire fishery of Nova Scotia and its surroundings,

· a tail of Grey Heron substitute honoring the protected wildlife habitat, a body of white and blue resembling two of Nova Scotia's colors, and a rib of oval silver tinsel,

· a wing of black bear, topped with red squirrel tail, followed by black bear, honoring the strength and fight of all the people involved with APES,

· a cheek of an eye of jungle cock which symbolizes the many people watching the NDP Government as well as Snow Island Salmon and their Scottish partner Loch Duart's every move,

· a throat of orange reminds us to "KEEP THE HEAT ON",

· and, lastly, a head of black.

Please send comments and suggestions to:

slim@rivermagic.ca

Please stay on the line …