Trawler Approaching

It is 6:00 a.m. and there is a trawler approaching the Cape Flattery. It is approaching our starboard bow and travelling at a speed of about eight knots. Are they trying to scare us or are they just curious? It is hard to tell.

As part of the standard research protocol, we have requested a three miles clearance area around the ship which prevents any boats from coming closer to us and putting the subs and pilots in danger.

Yesterday, there were about four trawlers lurking at the three mile limit. We tried to call them on the radio but they did not respond. As we left our first dive site, they moved their boats to where we had been diving. Now we have a ship approaching us.

I understand that the trawlers are nervous that our research might result in closures that could affect their fishing grounds but this type of behaviour does not foster good communications. In the past our requests to collaborate and work with the trawl industry has been met with disdain and now it feels like the they are trying to intimidate us.

Change is on the horizon. Around the world fisheries are being forced to change because there are no fish left. In B.C. we have the opportunity to make changes before we run out of fish and ensure we have sustainable fisheries for generations to come. We can make change happen through conflict or we can make it happen through dialogue. Living Oceans Society would like to work through dialogue. All we ask is that industry answer the radio.

The trawler has turned and headed away from us. She came within about 200 feet. Maybe the crew were curious about the submarines. Maybe they just wanted to check out the new boat on the block.

Maybe we can all take a deep breath and chart a new course.

~ Jennifer Lash