Retired engineer Peter Krahn dreams of the day when iconic B.C. salmon swim upstream to their spawning beds in peak physical condition 91裸聊视频� free of any net marks or bruising.
That91裸聊视频檚 the goal of the selective fishing technology he91裸聊视频檚 developing.
Krahn set out three years ago to design a fish trap platform that would permit the release of non-targeted fish, helping them to reach their spawning grounds at the 91裸聊视频渉ighest level of fitness.91裸聊视频�
Now he91裸聊视频檚 in the process of filing for a worldwide patent for the selective fishing systems he named 91裸聊视频淩iverTraps.91裸聊视频�
Krahn transported two of the prototypes to Chilliwack Tuesday for a demonstration.
Several elected officials, DFO reps, and fishing groups joined Krahn at Island 22 Regional Park in Chilliwack on Tuesday, including MPs Ed Fast, Bob Zimmer, and Rich Perkins, who is the Conservative shadow minister for Fisheries.
Krahn showed how the prototypes work at the boat launch, as well as conducting a live demonstration with a fish trap anchored in a back eddy of the Fraser.
The technology provides 91裸聊视频渁n alternate technique91裸聊视频� to gillnetting and beach-seining, which are used in First Nations economic opportunity fisheries.
So far the federal government has invested $1 million in Krahn91裸聊视频檚 research project through a First Nations partnership, while Krahn contributed $1.6 million himself to get the project up and running. The total investment will be about $4.5 million, Krahn estimated, including the research and testing.
The RiverTraps selective fishing systems include a fish selection platform, containment net, removable wing nets, and a release gate.
91裸聊视频淚n most encounters with other fishing gear, particularly gillnetting and beach seining, the fish are so injured that even if they do make it to the spawning ground they don91裸聊视频檛 have a level of fitness to actually spawn.
91裸聊视频淭hey become just bait after that,91裸聊视频� Krahn explained.
He91裸聊视频檚 been conducting tests with his two prototypes and has forged several partnerships, including ones on the lower Fraser, mid Fraser, Stewart Lake, as well as on the Nass River Valley on the Meziadin River.
Krahn described a scenario where the trap had six chinook swim into in the containment net, guided by wing nets, half of which were hatchery marked fish.
91裸聊视频淲e dip-net out the hatchery fish, and harvest them. Once we91裸聊视频檝e got them out, there is a curtain that goes down in front of that opening. We manually lift that curtain and out they go.
91裸聊视频淲e have not physically touched the fish. We have not taken them out of the water, which is the biggest stressor. They haven91裸聊视频檛 been marked by gillnets.91裸聊视频�
That yields higher value fish.
91裸聊视频淪o you can harvest less fish, get a higher price, and have the same economic revenue,91裸聊视频� he said
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer asked Krahn to explain his reason for the project, adding that he knew the overarching aim of it wasn91裸聊视频檛 just money, but rather a true concern for the fish.
Krahn explained as one of six children, fishing was always a very important part of the family diet and relaxation. His father, who fabricated sheet metal, taught him the importance of seeing a project through.
Growing up with tackle store owner Fred Helmer of the Fraser River Sportfishing Alliance, Krahn said he spent ample time on the river system.
91裸聊视频淏ut we91裸聊视频檙e getting on. We need to bring hope, and training and passion to the young people because they91裸聊视频檙e the ones going to be taking over. That91裸聊视频檚 why I am heavily invested in the schools with this.91裸聊视频�
High school students and students from UNBC will be involved in ongoing research and fabrication, and the technology has also been tested on the Harrison River.
91裸聊视频淎s fisheries are moving to selective fishing to reduce the harm, it will be up to the regulators who issue the permits to decide which technique will be allowed for the fishery,91裸聊视频� Krahn noted.
91裸聊视频淎ll I am doing is providing another option.91裸聊视频�
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