I find it interesting that areas that might be of interest for Orcas feeding on Chinook salmon are closed to the sport fishery. The first question that comes to mind is why Chinook salmon are the salmon of choice for Orcas. The first thing is their size: Chinook are larger than most, containing more protein. But I believe the main reason for the choice is availability. Chinook are the only salmon that can be found in local waters year around.
If DFO is serious about maintaining a population of resident Orcas in southern Vancouver Island they must first deal with the winter population of Chinooks. These can only be increased by allowing a more abundant food source of herring for these local winter springs. They could close down the coast to sport fishing and nothing will change for the winter springs unless their food supply is guaranteed. That can only be secured if the last herring roe fishery on the east side of Vancouver Island is curtailed and stopped immediately.
Those herring are worth more alive than dead, and maybe one day that will be realized. I remember when there were small populations of herring everywhere all around the gulf and winter spring fishing was amazing. Those days allowed healthy Orca calves and sufficient food throughout the winter for a vibrant population of Orcas.
Well my friends there were a lot of winter springs in those day and the Orcas were doing just fine. DFO has never done a good job of protecting species and habitat, so be cautious of all the right spin that is now coming out. Just check their record on basking sharks, rockfish, sockeye, orcas, herring, and all other species of fin fish we have. Their record stands for itself.
Robert Tritschler
Parksville