The Davis Bay-Wilson Creek-Selma Park Community Association wants the District of Sechelt to ban fishing and crabbing from the Davis Bay wharf, but council’s previous response to the issue suggests they might not be open to going that far.
The Davis Bay wharf has been a flashpoint for complaints about illegal crabbing for the past two years and DFO officials have told Coast Reporter in the past that while they get frequent complaints, they find very few actual violations.
Conflict between people using the wharf for fishing and crabbing and others who use it for sightseeing and swimming was the main topic at the association’s Nov. 13 meeting, which was attended by representatives from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Conservation Officer Service and Mayor Darnelda Siegers.
After a Q&A session and a chance to discuss concerns about poaching, safety, and the mess sometimes left by people cleaning fish or cutting bait, the voting members of the association passed a resolution that “[Sechelt] council be respectfully asked to ban all fishing and crabbing off the Davis Bay wharf until further notice, with a review in 18 months.”
A letter to council advising them of the motion says it comes “in response to the continued illegal crabbing and fishing observed by residents on a constant basis and the safety issues that also arise. It was evident from our meeting with council, DFO and Conservation that there is considerable local concern about this issue and unanimous support for a temporary ban on fishing and crabbing.”
Siegers told Coast Reporter that she’s requested the association’s motion be added to the agenda for the Nov. 20 council meeting. “Staff are investigating and we’ve already got information coming forward about what our options are,” she said.
“I think what became clear last night is it’s not a conservation concern that they have necessarily, but a concern about the safety of the other users on the wharf.”
Sechelt council last addressed the possibility of restricting the use of the wharf for fishing or crabbing at its Sept. 4 meeting, in response to a letter from a resident calling for access to the wharf at Davis Bay and the pier at Friendship Park to be restricted and crabbing to be banned outright in Davis Bay.
At that time there was very little appetite for the measure.
“Being able to fish, being able to catch crab, that’s part of the Sunshine Coast lifestyle and not everyone can have a boat to do that, so this provides an opportunity for a lot of people to experience that and it’s something that I don’t want to prohibit,” said Coun. Matt Mclean at the Sept. 4 meeting.
“I have no interest in shutting things down or restricting access… I think the general public needs to learn to play nice,” added Coun. Eric Scott.
The district also made several statements over the summer on the issue of sharing space at the Davis Bay Wharf, where areas are clearly marked for either fishing or swimming. The district said its bylaw officers would investigate complaints of people fishing in the areas designated for swimmers and urged people to “call the bylaw department right away if you notice any issues with sharing the wharf.”
