Group takes stand on illegal fishing

ESCANABA - In an effort to prevent poaching and increase walleye numbers in the Bays de Noc, a local sports fishermen group is promoting tougher prosecution, law changes, and more fish plantings.

Bay de Noc Great Lakes SportsFishermen Inc. recently stepped-up these local efforts following a major illegal commercial fishing operation uncovered by the Department of Natural Resources in Little Bay de Noc earlier this year. The six suspects have not been officially charged.

An illegal gill netting incident was also found on Big Bay de Noc this fall. Two men, arrested for using illegal fishing devices, will be sentenced in Delta County District Court today. A third suspect will be tried in tribal court for subsistence fishing without a license.

The local sports fishermen group filed legal paperwork to be named a victim in the above cases. A representative was expected to present a victim's impact statement at today's sentencings.

"We're not just crying victims here; we're offering solutions," explained Paul Strom. He and his brother, Peter Strom, are attorneys for the group.

In an interview with the Daily Press, Paul Strom announced the group's three proposed solutions for the poaching problems and the

declining fishery on the Bays de Noc.

"The first step to a solution is vigorous prosecution and punishment of the violators by the state, federal and tribal authorities," Strom said. "We are recommending that the maximum penalties be imposed on the people who are violating the laws in Bays de Noc."

Restitution from those who are convicted, should go towards restoring the fishery in the bays, he added.

"The second step is to change the Indian subsistence fishing regulations in Little Bay de Noc," Strom said. This would involve closing subsistence gill netting in the bay during the winter months through 2015 and limiting the length of gill nets used otherwise.

Currently, tribal members are allowed to catch up to 100 pounds of fish a day using 300 feet of net. The proposals suggest limiting netting to 100 feet.

In the past, the tribes in the Bays de Noc have agreed to close subsistence fishing for conservation reasons by imposing geographical and seasonal restrictions, Strom said. The 2000 Consent Decree, a multi-jurisdictional agreement, further promoted conservation efforts, he added.

"The 2000 Consent Decree continued to close the Bays de Noc to commercial gill net fishing and created special protections in walleye spawning areas that annually prohibit tribal walleye fishing from March 1 to May 15," he said.

The sports fishermen are also requesting the planting of more walleye in the bays because of a documented decline in sport catch and decreased plantings over the years, Strom said.

"The third step involves the sports fishing group's request for the DNR and the tribes to plant more sport fish in the Bays de Noc," he said. "It is clear that hatchery fish make up a significant contribution to the total walleye population in the Bays de Noc and the group is requesting enhanced stocking levels be made."

The sports fishermen group developed the above three-step approach after meeting with conservation officers, business owners, and other interested parties, Strom explained.

In November, the group sent a letter to Dennis Knapp, the DNR's Native American Affairs Coordinator in Lansing, suggesting the three solutions. The group also stressed the need for the tribe to have a local law enforcement officer stationed in the Delta County area. Currently one officer is based in Manistique.

In Knapp's response, he said the DNR is willing to assist the group in arranging a meeting with the tribes. Knapp added, in regards to fish plantings, the Fisheries Division is working on recommendations that will be available for public discussion in 2010.

During the past years, the local sports fishermen group has provided volunteers to help milk eggs from fish, grow fry at a fish hatchery, raise fingerlings in rearing ponds, and stock local waters - all in cooperation with DNR and tribal biologists, Strom said.

The state's cost for the DNR restocking program is about $10,500. Strom said the group is seeking funding so the program continues.

When asked what the organization hopes to accomplish through its efforts, Strom replied conservation so an abundance of natural resources can be enjoyed by all, improving quality of life. Spin-offs would be an improved economy in regards to tourism and business. The suggested regulation changes could make laws easier to enforce, he added.

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net