Some have never served a legitimate puq^ose, and others 

 will become unnecessary under the proposed fleet ration- 

 alization and licensing policies. I also propose elimina- 

 tion of personal licensing of fishermen, certain licences 

 required for fishing vessels, and some of the Depart- 

 ment's present activities in regulating exports of fish 

 products. 



This inquiry has left me concerned that the govern- 

 ment's general approach to its responsibilities in the 

 fisheries has hitherto been directed too much at details, at 

 placating vociferous groups and at "attempts to do too 

 many things for too many people at the cost of neglecting 

 its most serious responsibilities."- In one area of adminis- 

 trative responsibility after another I have observed an 

 absence of policy direction, priorities and planning and, 

 with some exceptions, a diffuse distribution of responsi- 

 bilities. 



It is time to take a more scientific and businesslike 

 approach to managing the Pacific fisheries. The fishing 

 industry does not need or want paternalistic regulation; it 

 is a technically sophisticated and potentially robust 

 industry; and it needs only a clear policy framework to 

 enable it to flourish. Sportfishing organizations also 

 understand the need for scientific management and 

 objective planning. And many Indians, who have strug- 

 gled to defend their special position in the fisheries, are 

 now prepared to use modern contractual and business 

 arrangements to pursue their goals. 



Many facets of federal fisheries management interface 

 with administrative responsibilities of the Province of 

 British Columbia, especially in the fields of habitat man- 

 agement, pollution control, sportfishing regulation, mari- 

 culture and enhancement. I explained in Chapter 18 that 

 the present meagre arrangements for reconciling the two 

 governments' interests and activities often result in dupli- 

 cation of effort, lost opportunities for constructive coop- 

 eration and sometimes friction. So I suggest that the two 

 governments enter into an agreement on fisheries mat- 

 ters, incorporating some of the provisions contained in 

 agreements between the federal government and other 

 provinces, but also including new arrangements for 

 reconciling their interests in habitat management, 

 resource inventories, enhancement, freshwater fisheries, 

 sportfishing licences and the administration of shellfish 

 and mariculture. I recommend also a high-level inter- 

 governmental consultative group to plan and supervise 

 cooperative programs and to resolve mutual problems. 



The problems of the Yukon Territory are quite 

 different, being dominated by freshwater sportfishing and 

 habitat damage associated with mining. In Chapter 20 I 

 explain the pressing need to overcome the prevailing lack 

 of knowledge about the territory's sensitive fish resources, 

 to clarify the responsibilities of federal and Yukon regu- 



OVERVIEW 263 



latory agencies, and to strengthen provisions for fisheries 

 and habitat management. 



In order to cope with problems in the complicated 

 Pacific fisheries, and especially to eflfect policy changes, 

 the government needs systematic consultative arrange- 

 ments to communicate problems and channel advice 

 from those with interests in fisheries and fish habitat 

 management. While the Department has created advisory 

 groups in considerable number and vanety. many do not 

 enjoy the confidence of the participants that is essential 

 for their success. The present arrangements have devel- 

 oped piecemeal; they lack coherence and take excessive 

 amounts of time and effort on the part of administrators 

 and private participants. I propose in Chapter 17 that 

 they be replaced with a more systematic consultative 

 structure that would have at its centre a Pacific Fisheries 

 Council to provide general policy advice to the Minister 

 and that would channel the advice of more specialized 

 advisory committees. These consultative arrangements 

 will be particularly important in implementing reforms in 

 the wake of this inquiry . 



Finally. I propose in Chapter 21 specific means for 

 effecting the needed policy changes and for reviewing 

 policy in the future. The current Fisheries Act is archaic 

 and inadequate, and I recommend that it be replaced by 

 a mcxiem comprehensive statute structured to permit a 

 sharper focus on Pacific fisheries within a national policy 

 framework. I propose that regulations and ancillary 

 licence documents be reviewed and redesigned as well. 



To ensure that the new policy framework is imple- 

 mented quickly and systematically, I suggest that a spe- 

 cial temporary Minister of State for Pacific fisheries be 

 appointed. As well. I recommend means of dealing with 

 new policy questions, to help the Department meet new 

 challenges as they arise. 



Readiness for Change 



At the outset of this report I noted a widespread per- 

 ception of the need for fundamental changes in fisheries 

 policy. This attitude goes well beyond the fishing commu- 

 nity because fish, and the quality of the environment they 

 depend upon, are part of the heritage of Canadians on 

 the Pacific coast. 



When we discuss and manage the fishery — 

 particularly salmon — we are dealing with a 

 certain mystique, an aura surrounding the 

 salmon, that is based on a long and exciting 

 history that all British Columbians and many 

 Canadians feel they understand. 



Fishing is a way of life for many British 

 Columbians and has been part of the coastal 

 community for centuries. It formed the back- 



