Re: 鈥淗erring fishery will leave enough to sustain resident killer whales,鈥� comment, March 31.
I am a commercial fisherman who participates in the roe herring fishery and in other commercial fisheries in sa国际传媒 The roe herring fishery is a very important part of our family business. It is important not only to my family, but also to the families of the four crew members and many shore workers whom we employ.
As noted by Federal Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, his role is to make sound decisions based on science. sa国际传媒 commercial fishermen understand and agree with that approach 鈥� it is the only way to make sure we have a healthy resource and sustainable fisheries that will provide jobs and incomes for me and my crew into the future.
Commercial fishermen accept the science when it says a fishery should be closed; that is something everyone respects and accepts. However, this also means when the science says the resource is healthy and you can open a fishery, that has to be respected and accepted, as well. You can鈥檛 have it both ways.
Wilkinson made the right decision not because he opened the fishery, but rather because he based his decision in science.
Lyle Pierce
Courtenay
