Canadians May Hide Boats To Avoid Seizure Alaska Seeks Damages Against Fishermen For Ferry Blockade

Furious British Columbia fishermen may hide their boats to keep them out of the hands of bailiffs acting for the Alaskan government.

Gillnetter Kim Olsen of Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, said Thursday it won’t be easy finding boats to seize.

He said many fishermen being sued over July’s blockade of an Alaskan ferry will avoid tying up in their own ports.

In addition, he suggested there might be some new names and numbers painted on the vessels to make identification difficult.

Alaska is using a Canadian seizure law to ensure boat owners post a bond.

Out of the 195 boats that blockaded the ferry, several dozen boat owners have received registered letters saying their boats will be seized after Sept. 15 if they do not post a bond.

Alaska is seeking damages of $2.8 million U.S., which works out at about $25,000 Canadian per boat, said Mike Emes, a gillnetter who has received one of the letters.

“If they stick a notice on my boat it means I can’t use it,” Emes said. “If there’s a fishing opening and I move my boat, I would be in contempt of court and my boat would be considered stolen.”

Much of the fishermen’s anger is directed at the federal government.

“It just sickens me that they are so lily-livered they won’t take a stand against the Americans,” said John Radosevic, president of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union.

Dennis Brown, special fisheries adviser to Premier Glen Clark, said although the province did not condone the ferry blockade, it will contribute to the fishermen’s defense.

“The province is not prepared to walk away and leave Canadian fishermen to the tender mercies of the Yanks,” he said.

Federal Fisheries Minister David Anderson said he is sympathetic to the cause, but he has no intention of stepping in.