Every year we watch the amazing renewal of life in our ocean with the coming of the herring.
We watch the eagles, sea lions, herons and gulls fishing and every year we watch the herring fleet scatter them all to scoop the biggest, the best and the most.
This tiny fish is so important to the circle of life that I can’t help wonder what we are doing to our oceans. There is a fine balance that I can’t help thinking is about to tip.
If there is a large number of fish then why don’t we let them flourish and grow? Are we going to starve if we keep the harvesting quota conservative?
I liken this to our RRSPs. We should save something every year, Right? But the point is to let it grow for our future.
If you continue to take all the interest out of your RRSP you will be left with the tiny amount you started with, with no guarantee you will have enough to live on when you need it.
So why doesn’t this principle apply to life and our food chain? Where is the cod fishery today? Why were the salmon hatcheries closed down? Why are we taking the bulk of the herring, especially if they are on the small side?
I hear warning bells on that one!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our oceans were full of fish once again? If mankind only took what was needed?
To conserve now and let the numbers of herring grow would keep a healthy and much-needed balance in our seas.
I realize the fishermen rely on the government-dictated quotas to live, but if the DFO allows the fish populations to grow for the next few years, then the fishermen are ensuring the health of their own future.
Sounds like an RRSP to me.
E. Thompson
Parksville