With the arrival of sunny weather (finally) our Visitor Centre numbers are looking much better than the near disaster May and June was. Bad springtime weather, high ferry fares and gas prices caused what could be described as the perfect storm for tourism in the valley. Anecdotal information from members indicates they are recovering somewhat from the slow start, but it’s not going to be a banner tourism year. The Sockeye fishery was expected to attract huge crowds of sport fishers with the run forecast to near 1 million returning salmon. But, with the high water flows in the rivers and streams and colder than normal water temperatures, the salmon stayed shallow and never had to school up. Sport fishers have little success on Sockeye when they are not schooled. They just don’t bite. Consequently the sporties have not had good luck on the Sockeye. The First Nations commercial and food fishery, the gillnet and seine fishery have had excellent results. With the First Nations signing off on a commercial agreement this season, their catch has generated considerable economic gain for our community. It’s also interesting to note that DFO has actually opened a section of the Somass River for sport sockeye fishing – a first in memory. In times of great abundance when the salt chuck fishery is non-existent, DFO should open Sproat Lake to sockeye fishing. The saving grace for the sport fishers is that Barkley Sound has been excellent for Chinook and Coho which indicates a great Chinook and Coho run here in August and September.
We have close to a thousand shoppers registered in our Shop Alberni campaign. That’s a thousand shoppers reaping the benefits of discounts from local merchants thereby increasing traffic for participating stores and keeping those hard earned dollars in the community. You can register online at avcoc.com or drop in to any of our participating merchants listed on the website. We can always use more participating businesses. The campaign carries on through this December so there is still oodles of time to get in the game. Call us to sign up: 724 6535.
How are those beards and bonnets coming along? We are looking forward to judging the beards and bonnets contest August the 5th at Bob Dailey Stadium during the Centennial Homecoming event. Just show up with your beards and your bonnets, sign up under the Chamber of Commerce tent on that day and proceed to the judging stage.
Thought for the Week:
“It was the Law of the Sea, they said. Civilization ends at the water line. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always at the top.” Hunter S. Thompson
FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK
SUBMITTED BY MIKE CARTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALBERNI VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE