Canada's Aerial Fishery Patrol

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22465, 28 July 1938, Page 4 (Supplement)

Canada's Aerial Fishery Patrol

Aerial eyes now protect the salmon, of British Columbia’s .mountainous coast. Aeroplanes carrying fishery inspectors are the latest method of Canada’s Department of Fisheries to keep poachers from the Pacific salmon- fishing grounds, and also to enforce regulations for protecting this fish at. spawning time. British Columbia’s indented coastline and numerous rivers and lakes among the mountains are particularly iyeir suited for illegal salmon fishing. Many snug coves and shelters in the bends of the rivers, together, with hcavily-for-eisted lower mountain slopes, allow pleiity of scope for the unauthorised

fishermen to evade regulations as to size of net, close season, and the possession of a licence. The same conditions that once favoured the poacher were hindrances to the fishery inspectors, since long distances had to be travelled by. water, and the sound of a motor 4 gave warning"of the approach of a boat. Now that aeroplanes have been pressed into service the poacher has to be wary. Aeroplanes can annihilate distance in this rugged region, crossing mountains to reach from one river to another, from lake to lake, distances which a boat would have

to circumnavigate. Eighty -mile water trips are now cut down to 10 mile air trips by the pilots who operate the fishery patrols. The flying inspectors can see for great distances ahead, even over mountain tops, and can pick out a fishing vessel before the roar of the epgine warns the fishermen. Swooping down with engine cut off an aeroplane can approach silently and swiftly orf- a suspected poacher. The salmon catch depends largely on the salmon runs of the previous years. To ensure successive good salmon packs year in and year out, it is necessary to protect the fish

when thpy travel inland to the small mountain streams and hidden lakes" to spawn. Patrols now are made in a few hours in comfort to these spawning areas, whereas formerly they took many days and included fighting through thorny underbush for hours together to reach the hidden lakes and creeks. With the aeroplanes—big cabin seaplanes—it is possible to invade even the smaller lakes with safety, or to descend and take off in heavy seas. Foggy weather is often met, especially towards the end of the season, providing flying - conditions of the worst type. But despite the bad weather and the mountainous nature of the country the aerial fishery patrol makes its rounds. ■ All contributors .should write in. -ink on one side of the:paper only. Name, age, -and" address should be clearly stated on every contribution. Only original articles will' be accepted,