At4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 22, 1997 Nass fishermen in fear they'll lose their boats By SALWA FARAH ABOUT HALF the fishermen in the Nass Val- ley might lose their boats this year, say fishermen who make their living on the Nass River. They say Alaskan inter: ception and poor coho runs are responsible for drastical- ly cutting back on the num- ber of days commercial gillnetters were permitled to work. “According to fisheries, it was supposed to be above average this year,” said Larry Angus of original coho run forecasts. Angus, who lives in Kin- colith at the mouth of the Nass River and has been fishing in the area for over 30 years, and says this has been the worst year yet. “Some guys won’t make their payments,’ he ex- plained. Sometimes it just didn’t pay to go out when the cost of fuel and food were considered. “Pye only fished a few days — I stopped fishing about a month ago.”” Chief of north coast fisherics David Ejinarson says the area around Kin- colith was open for two weeks in carly June, but Poverty closed for most of the remaining season. ‘*We kept it closed though oul the rest of the season — at the end (of the season) we opened some of il for some local pinks,’’ said Einarson. He says the conservation strategy worked remarkably well: for the Nass, as target numbers ‘for -spawning - fish were met, — But poor market prices surge of coho — the weak- ness is widespread,’’ he ex- plained, Peacock said the pressures on the fish from the Alaskan fisheries forced federal fisheries to reduce the num- ber of days open on the in- side passages, But’ that doesn’t mean that the com- mercial fishers couldn't venture along other sections of the coast. “H's really awful,” says Steven Doolan, a gillnetter from Kincollth. “1 fished since 1960 — this is the worst year of fishing.” were also a contributing fac- ior for the harsh season, ex- plained Einarson. ‘Part of the difficulty this year is the prices are low,” he added. Market prices similar to 1981s and inflation has made this year a difficult one for ali local north coast fishermen. Federal fisheries biologist Dave - Peacock: confirms coho runs are very weak this ‘year and he’s not expecting a late surge. “All indications are that we're not going to sce a late group moving Nov. 1 THE TERRACE ANT ANTI-POVERTY Group Society is moving to a new home. The group which offers advocacy and tenancy services, and coordinates community kitchens and gardens, is moving Nov. 1 to 4717 Lakelse Ave. — the Gobind Mall. Director Helga Kenny says the new accommodation is on ground level, making it better for wheclchair access. The new space is about the same size as the current of- fice in the Tillicum building but the group has an option to build a community kitchen. The group will bost an open house Nov. 26 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. And as soon as workers settle in, they'll be offering free Internet beginner courses. . V8G 329 CITADEL TECHNICAL SERVICES 4659 MARTEN DRIVE | TERRACE, Bc, PHONE: (250) 638-6375 [FREE PICUP & DELIVERY, WE SERVICE ALMOST EVERYTHING, — PAUL LE GRAS APPLE COMPUTER TECHNICIAN COMPUTER NETWORK ENGINEER = Overwaitea BCs very own bod pecile. ave ON MORE Bava alpaca Peacock doesn’t believe the problem of poor fish runs begins in the fresh waters of the Nass as juve- nile fish are getting lo the ocean. More in doubt is the sur- vival rate once the fish get to the ocean, But Peacock also says it will be months before they can analyse information on ocean survival of coho, This comes as bad news for gillnetters everywhere. ‘Te’s really awful,’’ said Steven Doolan, another gillnetier from Kincolith. ‘'I fished since 1960 — this is the worst year of fishing.” The only reason Doolan is able to keep his boat is be- cause he made a couple of large payments last year, but says others are not as fortunate. The start-up cost for a ful- ly equipped boat is about $10,000 to $12,000 which includes licence, imsurance and fuel. This year Doclan made about $7,000 from eight days of fishing. He says it just didu’t pay to go out to the coast. “Tn 1960 I used to fish till the end of September — last year I didn’t fish in Au- gust.’’ This year the season was over in July for him. Doolan and Angus estimate that half of the about: 80 commercial fishermen fishing the Nass River won't be able to keep up with their mortgage pay- ments, “The American guys are making fools of us.”’ said Doolan. ~ , Nalue af $340.00) -_ 2750. 00 - Meridian aye xe “Free local d delivery & setup. “(Value of $340.00) ‘2900.00 TWILIGHT SPAS @ PUMP SUPPLY I SHOW. ROOM AT 4704 Keith. @ phone 638-0947 _* SALES 4704 Keith Ave. . SERVICE + INSTALLATIONS | fax 638-0948 io h Anniversary Sar SALVO _ Disc Player copess * 10 Sec. 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