Is Mountain Equipment Co-op Against Fishing?
September 23, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Sorry for not having posted in a while. My new website is coming and I could not tinker with this one too much so as to not mess with the internet mojo.
Having said that, something came across my email that needed to be thrown out in the blogosphere. It was sent by a respected angler in our community as a link to a story in a website called the Western Sportsman. As you know fishonyukon.com is all about fishing, so I don’t comment on hunting one way or the other, however, the Western Sportsman ran a story called Outside View: Buyer Beware. I don’t have permission to post the story online, nor do I really know anything about this website, however, I did want to share the general concepts within this story.
The author David Webb apparently contacted Tim Southam, communications manager for MEC to explore their position on fishing and the rumours that they support anti-fishing and hunting organizations. The suggestion was that MEC does not support hunting or fishing “per se” and they will not develop or sell products that kill animals. Again, if you want the full story direct from source, you can subscribe to the Western Sportsman through their website.
I was born in Vancouver and have spent over a decade as an MEC member outfitting myselft and my children in Mountain Equipment Co-Op clothing and supporting their many product lines. Living in Inuvik, we used to hunt caribou and fish in MEC clothing. In the Yukon, I am out in my boat fishing, often with the whole family in some kind of MEC clothing. Personally I don’t go to specialty hunting and fishing stores to get outfitted in general outdoor clothing that might be used in the pursuit of an animal. My lifestyle and fashion preferance (don’t do alot of camo either) is to buy gear from places like MEC, North Face, Sierra Designs, or something that I can wear to the office and then wear on a fishing trip. That’s the beauty of the Yukon, you can work in a professional capacity during the day and then get out fishing later in the evening...wearing the same gear.
If this suggestion that MEC does not support fishing is true (again read the story directly yourself), it suggests to me that they are losing touch with peopple active in places that are still wild, where we are still connected to the land, respectful stewards of the land, providing fish on the table, within the regulations and without plastic wrap.
They are catering to an increasingly urban market with a lack of connection to nature and lack of understanding of what it is like to live in a wild place, like the Yukon. I have stated this before, in my opinion responsible angling is the best lesson to provide to a child and will result in a larger respect for nature, and a lifetime of stewardship to the land and the environment...all which are similar values that the MEC stands by.
If this is true, personally there is a line that was crossed by the MEC. I have supported this institution in many ways because of their pro-environmental values, however, if their values go so far as being opposed to fishing, I have a problem with that.
I never expected them to sell guns or fishing rods, but to go against fishing generally is worth reconsidering my purchasing decision.
What do you think?
The link to your blog was forwarded to me by a reader—let me restate that it is absolutely true that MEC does not support recreational fishing and/or hunting.
Furthermore—the company doesn’t just “not support” fishing/hunting, they have contributed money to anti-hunting organizations.
However, just like you indicate, they’ll still happily sell their products to hunters/anglers, never telling you that they are against such activities—until you ask.
Just know where your money goes, that’s all.
David Webb on September 26, 2007 at 1:47 am
Thanks David, appreciate your perspective on this. What I find so frustrating is that for a company that appears so focussed on the environment and protecting and enjoying areas, they appear to be influenced by those people in southern markets who are the most out of touch of what is true wilderness. We in the north are very much connected to our natural environment and make responsible angling and hunting a part of our culture and our trip to the grocery store. While we have 70,000 moose, two for every person, we only have 30,000 people in the Yukon. This does not tend to influence corporate values.
The beauty of Canada is that this is a democracy and I can vote and express my views to the MEC board of directors. As you point out I can also make other purchase decisions. I guess I need to start reading the fine print on the MEC corporate value statement.
Dennis @ Fish on Yukon on September 26, 2007 at 1:48 am
Please note David provided a link to his story:
Dennis @ Fish on Yukon on September 26, 2007 at 1:49 am
>>They are catering to an increasingly urban market with a lack of connection to nature and lack of understanding of what it is like to live in a wild place, like the Yukon.<<
Ah yes, like our government in Ottawa with their gun regulations. *sigh*
Murray on October 24, 2007 at 2:47 am
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