Fishermen Say Canada Bent Over for U.S.A.

VANCOUVER, B.C. (CN) - The Canadian government illegally sold off 30 percent of publicly owned Chinook salmon stocks to the United States, fishermen who troll the coast of British Columbia say in a federal class action.

The West Coast Trollers Association and members Doug Kimoto and Vic Amos sued Her Majesty the Queen for reducing the total allowable catch of Chinook by 30 percent for 10 years, starting in the 2008-2009 season.

The fishermen say government sold the salmon for about $35 million, but refuses to pay the money to class members who harmed by the sale.

"(A)ll the communities and people whose livelihood depends on the West Coast salmon troll fishery have suffered and will suffer a loss far in excess," of $35 million, the complaint states.

"The defendant's said acts have imperiled the viability of the West Coast salmon troll fishery and all the communities, peoples and industries dependant on that fishery."

The class is represented by Christopher Harvey with MacKenzie Fujisawa. They seek damages, a restraining order and injunction.

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