Anglers ticketed during a demonstration fishery on the Fraser River in September are heading to court next month.

A GoFundMe to pay their legal fees was launched by the Fraser Valley Salmon Society (FVSS) to support the Fraser River Sportfishing Alliance (FVSA), raising $19,220 as of Nov. 23.

A court date for the anglers is set for Dec. 1, and some sportfishing advocates are considering attending the courthouse in support, possibly outside in a truck convoy with COVID protocols in place.

The demonstration fishery on Sept. 9, 2020, saw more than 70 anglers heading out on Fraser River to bar-fish selectively to show they could avoid impacting any migrating stocks of concern. They were warned by fishery officers they could be fined or have rods confiscated.

Six individuals were subsequently ticketed for fishing on the Fraser during a closed time to salmon fishing.

B次元官网网址淭hose tickets were a catalyst to continuing our efforts to secure allocation and the opportunity to fish with a public fishery,B次元官网网址� said Dean Werk, president of the salmon society. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e doing this for future generations.B次元官网网址�

The demonstration went ahead despite federal officials turning down the groupsB次元官网网址� request for approval for a B次元官网网址渢estB次元官网网址� fishery opportunity on the Fraser River.

B次元官网网址淲e were trying to establish that we could fish selectively using a barbless hook and not impact migrating stocks of concern,B次元官网网址� Werk said.

Angling groups have been lobbying for years for restricted leader lengths to permit selective bar fishing but to no avail since DFO has not opted to enact any gear restrictions.

B次元官网网址淲e carefully considered all options and made the decision to put our time and effort toward a legal challenge,B次元官网网址� according to the GoFundMe description. B次元官网网址淭his decision was not taken lightly.B次元官网网址�

It was the consensus of the members that the legal route was the only viable option remaining as all negotiations with DFO had proven futile, they said.

B次元官网网址淭he lack of consideration to the public fishery is concerning, frustrating and unjustified. ItB次元官网网址檚 time for action.B次元官网网址�

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