Tag Archives: Canada geese

Recreational lingcod fishing prohibited in Strait of Juan de Fuca

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Saturday, June 01, 2002
Good Morning WEATHER: Sky Cloudy  Vis. 12 Miles  Wind West 11 Knots Rippled
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.0 C  Min. 8.1 C Reset 10.0
MARINE LIFE: Another beautiful day here, with quite a lot of marine activity. The Glaucous Winged Gulls are actively mating and nesting, being very defensive of their nests. Crows are harassing the Gulls, Oystercatchers and and Pigeon Guillemots, in search of an unattended nest and egg. One of the pairs of Canadian Geese on the Island are nursing their five young Goslings, despite the Goslings rapidly increasing size the Geese continue to be very protective of their youngsters. Divers spotted some large Ling Cod** around the docks, along with a healthy stock of smaller fish.
HUMAN INTERACTION: A lot of fishing activity around the reserve today, around 10 to 12 vesels on the reserve boarder actively fishing. Problems with both vessels motoring too quickly through the reserve and fishermen disregarding the reserve limitations and fishing around West Race rocks. Four eco-tourism vessels moved through the park today.
**Good news for the Ling Cod!! This note was just received from the Sierra Club:
June 1, 2002 Victoria, BC: Despite intense pressure from sports-fishery lobbyists, local Fisheries and Oceans managers have decided that this year’s recreational fishery for lingcod in the Strait of Georgia will not go ahead today as scheduled. In an unprecedented, last-minute move, regional Fisheries and Oceans officials decided late Friday to issue a variation order to the B.C. tidal waters recreational fishery regulations, to prevent the recreational fishery for lingcod from proceeding. In an unprecedented, last-minute move, regional Fisheries and Oceans officials decided late Friday to issue a variation order to the B.C. tidal waters recreational fishery regulations, to prevent the recreational fishery for lingcod from proceeding. The lingcod season, which would have run from today to September 30, would have allowed anglers a daily bag limit of one lingcod, a possession limit of two, and an annual limit of 10.
The commercial harvest of Strait of Georgia lingcod was banned in 1990, after commercial landings had steadily declined to 44 tonnes after a peak catch of 3,300 tonnes in the 1930s. Fisheries and Oceans scientists estimate that only five per cent of the 1950s-era lingcod biomass is left in the Strait of Georgia. Against the advice of federal fisheries scientists, the recreational lingcod fishery was allowed to continue, however, and by 2001 the sports catch was believed to result in an annual harvest of at least 30 tonnes. Friday’s decision to suspend the fishery will prohibit recreational lingcod fishing throughout Johnstone Strait, the entire Strait of Georgia area, and most of Juan de Fuca Strait.
“We believe that the vast majority of anglers will support this decision,” said Terry Glavin, fisheries adviser to the Sierra Club. “While we are encouraged by reports that there may be localized revivals in lingcod stocks, a full closure is the only hope that these precious fish will gain the time they need to recover to their former abundance.”posted by at 5:49 AM

a reunion of sorts–

Posted on by
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 12.0 ºC »» Min. 4.9 ºC »» Reset 8.3 ºC
MARINE LIFE: 1 mature Bald Eagle which arrived just before noon and was harassed as yesterday until it left about 14:45. Still the 3 geese at least until 16:20 when to great honking a 4th goose flew in from the east,from all appearances this was a reunion of sorts with much beak touching and neck waving. I guess the where’s and why’s will remain a mystery.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 5 Ecotour boats and 2 Pleasure craft through the reserve today which although not very sunny was a very pleasant spring day.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:08 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Clear »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind Calm »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:24 AM

westerly has been pretty constant at 45-51 knts.

Posted on by
Monday, April 22, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.0 ºC »» Min. 6.9 ºC »» Reset 7.3 ºC
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature bald eagle landed just east at the base of the tower about 09:30, but did not stay more than 10 minutes before making it’s way over towards Bentinck Island. The wind picked up late morning and there really was not much animal activity as the westerly has been pretty constant at 45-51 knts. Most of the birds hunched down in hollows and behind clumps of grass.The 3 geese spent the day in the grass below the rock outcrop on the northeast of the island.Everything is coated with a thick layer of salt from the spray, hopefully the wind will ease off as forecasted by morning so we can clean the windows.
Needless to say there was no boat traffic today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:16 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind West 25 – 30 Knots »» Sea 4 Foot Moderate – Low South Swell
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:21 AM

ammunition detonations at the D.N.D. site

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Thursday, April 18, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 11.5 ºC »» Min. 5.7 ºC »» Reset 8.5 ºC »» No Rain :o)
MARINE LIFE: 2 mature bald eagles today, which spent the day flying between North and Southeast Rocks. Constantly on the alert because of the eagles, the birds were further upset by the ammunition detonations at the D.N.D. site.There were 4 sets of 3 blasts, with 2 minutes between each blast.Although there are not many sealions hauled out at this time of the year they were disturbed to the extent that 6 went into the water. The birds take flight with each blast. The more energy they expend, the more food they require and they are coming into breeding season now, putting a greater demand on the birds energy requirements.There were 3 geese today,1 pair and a loner that follows the pair around the island, wonder what happened to the 4th goose?
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2nd Nature in twice, station boat 2 return trips to Pedder Bay. 2nd Nature went out to pleasure craft to advise fishers of the ‘no fishing’ guidelines in the reserve.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:33 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Clear »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind West 3 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:59 AM

Sealions were hauled out all day

Posted on by
Saturday, April 13, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 14.0 ºC »» Min. 7.0 ºC »» Reset 10.1 ºC »» 7.2 mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature Bald Eagle which spent most of the day on the ridge of the southeast rocks.4 pair of geese.6 large Northern Sealions were hauled out all day on the western slope of the southeast rocks and did not seem to mind the odd swell breaking over them.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 5 tour boats and 1 dive boat ‘Michelle Diana’
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:09 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis 15 Miles »» Wind West 25 G 30 »» Sea 4 – 5 Foot Moderate
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:43 AM

When the threats didn’t work the aggressor geese chased the others snapping at their tail feathers.

Posted on by
Friday, April 12, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 11.9 ºC »» Min. 8.0 ºC »» Reset 9.3 ºC »» Rail 2.0 mm
MARINE LIFE: 3 Bald Eagles -1 mature. Started out the day with 2 pair of geese, near noon another 2 pair arrived. They spent most of the afternoon spread out around the island,then about 15:30 they all congregated near the shore of the little bay on the east side of Gr. Race.We think the pair that has been here the longest were the aggressors in trying to drive off all the other geese.The newcomers took to the water but were soon back to be chased off again ,this show went on for over an hour much honking,hissing and neck waving. When the threats didn’t work the aggressor geese chased the others snapping at their tail feathers until they took flight.The gulls, not the least wary of the big birds, chimed in with much squawking. Finally the geese had enough and spread out over the island, the victors took to the pond by the back door. As much as we are enjoying the geese I don’t think the island can support the food needs of 8 geese.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 1 pleasure craft though the reserve today.Just before noon, 2nd Nature in with Garry and biology students -webcast-intertidal.2nd Nature back about 15:00 for under water webcast.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:18 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis 15 Miles »» Wind Calm »» Sea Rippled »» Occasional Ligt Rain Shower
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:32 AM

Gulls–starting to get territorial and this precipitates many fights

Posted on by
Tuesday, April 09, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max 10.0 ºC »» Min. 6.1 ºC »» Reset 8.0 ºC »» Rain 3.6 mm
MARINE LIFE: 2 mature Bald Eagles today, the geese are still here, I am begining to wonder if they will nest here, usually by now they have moved inland.We hear the gulls morning,noon and night now.They are starting to get territorial and this precipitates many fights.As two gulls drag each other about the rest of them chime in with a lot of squawking, I can’t decide whether it’s encouragement or condemnation for such rowdy behavior,in any case it looks worse than it is and the results are usually no more than a few lost feathers. The Pigeon Guillemots continue to spent the morning ashore,taking flight en masse at the slightest hint of danger, they are very nervous birds and we take special care not to disturb them.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 6 ecotour boats and 2 pleasure craft through the MPA; 2 College boats with Garry,Chris and students for a dive – unfortunately there was a break in the interview cable so no live video.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:38 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 12 Miles – Light Rain »» Wind North 7 Knots »» Sea Rippler
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:07 AM

Geese—were in no real hurry.

Aside

Sunday, April 07, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.0 ºC »» Min. 5.0 ºC »» Reset 8.8 ºC »» Rain 7.2 mm
MARINE LIFE:1 mature Bald eagle, 1 pair of geese! The geese met us at the dock when we returned, yet another trip re computer. It took us a while to bring the boat in as they just didn’t want to move out of the way. When I turned the boat winch motor on they decided it was time to move onto the sidewalk but they were in no real hurry.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 ecotour boats, 3 pleasure craft and station boat through the MPA today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:38 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind West 17 Knots »» Sea 2 – 3 Foot Modeate »» Occasional Rain Shower
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:40 AM

Tangled Elephant seal

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Sunday, February 24, 2002

 Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 6.0c >> >> Min. 1.5c >> >> Reset 4.5c >> >> Rain 0.4mm
MARINELIFE: Took some great still photos today of a very cooperative and photogenic Elephant Seal that hauled out on the South West Rocks about noon today. (we will post them soon) Some very sad Elephant Seal news from the Centre Rock however. There was some activity out there yesterday as a large animal hauled out. Today, through the spotting scope it became clear this animal has a rope around his neck just ahead of the flippers. It would appear this is quite serious as the line is very tight. Our total Elephant Seal count is four right now so it looks like this is one of our regulars. Chris Blondeau had a closer look from Second Nature this afternoon so he may have more information. I regret there is nothing we can do despite the fact this is the result of human disregard for the oceans and the critters that call it home. We would never get close enough to administer a sedative or catch the big guy before he took to the water. We will keep a close watch on him and hope he can free himself. Two mature Bald Eagles were around most of the day sometimes on the high rock here on Great Race and often on the East Rock. Our three pairs of Canada Geese are getting along much better today.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Only two ecotour boats in the MPA today. My wife Sandy and our friends Cathy Denny and David Anderson returned to the “mainland” (Vancouver Island) at 15:40 so now I am the sort of lonely eco-guardian. Great sunset and now a near full moon in a clear sky. It’s Race Rocks and there is no place like it!
WORLD EVENTS: Today Canada won Olympic Gold in men’s hockey. We caught it on CBC Radio the old fashioned way and cheered them on from Race Rocks.
posted by Angus Matthews at 7:18 PM
Good Morning
Weather: Cloudy with clearing from the East >> >> Vis 17 Miles >> >> Wind NNE 12 Knots >> >> Sea 1 foot chop.
posted by Angus Matthews at 7:57 AM

Eagles and geese

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Monday, February 18, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 7.8C Min. 5.9C Reset 6.5C  Rain 1.0 mm
MARINE LIFE: 16 mature 7 immature Bald Eagles,2 pairs of geese
on the island today.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 nd Nature out with visitors this morning,
and back in the afternoon for a dive off west race.
1 pleasure boat through M.P.A. today
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:33 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast Vis. 15 Miles  Wind West 4 Knots  Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:14 AM