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Selfish shellfishers

Ungrateful shellfish collectors wasting resources in Qualicum Beach

One recent morning at 6 a.m. on Surfside Drive, Qualicum Beach, my husband went out to check on 10 people who all had buckets looking for shellfish.  They did have licences, but when they saw him coming, they dumped a bunch of oysters, saying they did realize that they had too many.

At 9 a.m. the same day there were 15 people on the beach, out there with buckets.  My husband left our house on other business, but I didn’t think it would be good for me to go out and check.

Our beach has lost a huge amount of shellfish (oysters and clams) due to people taking more than their fair share. With the DFO not so available, what can one do?

Susan Erickson

Qualicum Beach