Category «News»

Oct 15 2019: Halibut Fishing Still Open

The IPHC has released its latest catch assessment for 2019 here. As of this posting, fishing for halibut in BC waters remains open. As ever, subject to change in future, and for sportfishers, always subject to size and limit restrictions as published by DFO per area.

ACS Letter to Minister Wilkinson

The ACS has sent a letter to the Minister of Fisheries & Oceans and Coast Guard, Jonathan Wilkinson, requesting that recreational fishermen be permitted to retain one hatchery marked chinook salmon – respecting daily, possession and season limits – in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Strait of Georgia effective July 15.

There is obviously no conservation concerns for these Fraser River Chinooks after July 15 as your department is allowing full scale netting within the Fraser.

In a recent interview on radio station CKNW, there appeared to be a disconnect between what the Minister stated as policy and what the DFO published as fact.

Our members were shocked by your statements on CKNW recently where you denied the existence of First Nations FSC net openings for these same early returning chinook stocks that your department is supposedly trying to protect. It was pointed out that over 90 First Nations FSC openings have occurred to date on the Fraser; according to the DFO website. These openings coincide with the spawning migration of the very same endangered chinook stocks of concern.

CKNW, Jill Bennett Show, Sunday Edition, July 7, 2019, 7:58 into the 51:03 recording

Briefing Note: Recommendations for Restoring Southern British Columbia’s Public Chinook Fishery

A briefing note has been prepared by a broad group of concerned southern Vancouver Island citizens with the aim of restoring southern BC’s public chinook fishery. Please read the briefing note here.

(i) – Transition to Mark Selective Fishing (MSF) for the public fishery
during the recovery of wild Chinook stocks of concern;
(ii) – Utilize strategic enhancement in addition to protecting and restoring
critical habitat to reverse Chinook abundance trends; and,
(iii) – Protect the $1.1 billion annual public fishery, sustain employment,
and maintain the many benefits that accrue to Canada.

A Federal Election is planned to occur on or before October 21, 2019. Your support for British Columbia’s Public Fishery and assistance in these objectives being implemented are critical.

Angler Protest

Where? Ogden Point Breakwater
When? Monday, July 15th, 2019 at 9:00 AM

On July 15th the BC Coast opens for the retention of Chinook Salmon. Meanwhile the straight of Juan de Fuca remains closed. It has been asked of Minister Wilkinson and DFO, “Why can’t we retain a hatchery marked Chinook?”, with NO REPLY.

It’s time we let the government know how important this public fishery is to all of us. Please show up in your boat, kayak, canoe or whatever flotation device you have. Attendance is critical and without your support we fail!

The message is dead simple: “Why can’t we retain a hatchery marked chinook”?

CSIA on Recreational Fishing

The Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association (CSIA) recently published a document examining the state of conservation in Canada, and how it is being diverted to serve the agendas of U.S. animal rights organizations. The document also examines Marine Protected Areas (i.e. “fishing closures”), their benefits and their current pitfalls, and how anglers can ensure they serve their intended purpose. To read the completed document, Elevating Recreational Fishing to a National Priority, please click here.

All existing DFO / ECCC Marine / Freshwater Protected
Area plans, policies and proposed legislation must
be scrapped while a credible and environmentally
sustainable MADE IN CANADA recreational fishing
policy built on the foundation of the North American
Model of Conservation is independently developed by
stakeholders, without foreign intervention and funding.


DFO: Consultation Regarding Recovery Actions for SRKW

DFO, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Transport Canada invite you to participate in a Webinar/Teleconference to be held Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 9:30-11:30 am Pacific Time. The purpose of this Webinar is to present the proposed suite of measures for 2019.

A snapshot of Scenario A for Juan de Fuca Strait/Swiftsure Bank.
A snapshot of Scenario B for Juan de Fuca Strait/Swiftsure Bank.

Here are the details for the Webinar/Teleconference:

  • Meeting Number: 559 136 012
  • Meeting Password: MFRuX944

To join this meeting

  1. Go to https://gts-ee.webex.com/gts-ee/j.php?MTID=mb77121875ff462b810973e1059bf4ada
  2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
  3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: MFRuX944
  4. Click “Join”.
  5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

Teleconference information

Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you can call:

  • Call-in toll-free number: 1-877-413-4792  (Canada)
  • Call-in number: 1-613-960-7516  (Canada)
  • Attendee access code: 444 668 0

For assistance

  1. Go to https://gts-ee.webex.com
  2. On the left navigation bar, click “Support”.
  3. Call 1-800-226-6338 or 613-941-9554

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This Webex service includes a feature that allows audio and any documents and other materials exchanged or viewed during the session to be recorded. By joining this session, you automatically consent to such recordings. If you do not consent to the recording, discuss your concerns with the meeting host prior to the start of the recording or do not join the session. Please note that any such recordings may be subject to discovery in the event of litigation.

IPHC Decisions on Halibut

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) issued a news release that describes the detailed outcomes of their recent annual meeting.

As summarized for BC anglers in an email from Kelly Wagner of the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition (SVIAC):

Canada’s total allowable catch is set at 6.83 Million lbs (slight decrease of 270,000 lbs from 2018)

Knowing the 2019 Total Allowable Catch for Canada, the SFAB can now turn to designing a fishery.

Once again a strong vote of thanks must be extended to our entire Canadian delegation, especially our Commissioners. We had 36 Canadian voting organizations represented at the Conference Board this year and I can confirm we are very fortunate to have the amount of knowledge, talent and expertise on our side of the table.

Wild Salmon Advisory Council Hears from Kamloops

On January 8, the provincial government appointed Wild Salmon Advisory Council held a meeting in Kamloops to receive input from interested parties from the BC interior. Our thanks to Kamloops This Week, whose report on the meeting may be read in this article.

Matt Jennings, executive director of the B.C. Fishing Resorts and Outfitters Association, said that while recreational anglers are users of the resource, they are also a passionate group of stewards. He called for drastic measures from the government to show it is committed.

“The one thing I’m looking for from this government is an immediate stoppage of logging in critical salmon habitat,” he said. “If they can show us that they’ll actually do that, I think we’ll have a chance of moving forward.”


Travis Marr, a Tk’emlups member who works for the Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation and fishes for both sustenance and sport, said he would like to see an end to “archaic discharge practices.”


“Here in Kamloops we have a sewer plant, Domtar and the city dump all within a small area, all downstream of the Thompson River, where there are juvenile-rearing salmon,” Marr said. “These archaic practices need to change. The City of Kamloops needs to smarten up and make those changes.”

Goldstream Hatchery

Earlier this year, the Globe & Mail published an article profiling the efforts of the volunteers at the Howard English Hatchery in Goldstream Provincial Park. The challenges faced at Goldstream are not uncommon to the many other volunteer-run hatcheries across BC.

…the role of hatcheries has to be just one part of salmon restoration. Management of commercial and recreational fisheries is another, significant, issue. But if DFO wants to boost Chinook stocks, B.C.’s hatcheries could use their help…

March 1 deadline to respond to 2019 Fraser River Chinook Conservation Measures

DFO has distributed information that describes the actions DFO is proposing to take to address Fraser River chinook conservation concerns in 2019. They are seeking your feedback by March 1, 2019.

The table shown below, from DFO’s letter, summarizes the options they are proposing. You are strongly encouraged to provide them with your feedback.

Table 3: Summary Table of proposed management actions for Scenario A and B
Fishery Scenario A Scenario B
Commercial
NBC AABM (Area F) Troll Closed to July 17 Closed to July 10
WCVI   AABM   (Area   G)
Troll		 Closed to August 1 Closed to August 1
Kamloops  Lake  Chinook Demonstration Fishery Closed Closed
Recreational
NBC AABM No   measures   proposed   for   Fraser chinook  No   measures   proposed   for   Fraser chinook
NBC ISBM No   measures   proposed   for   Fraser chinook No   measures   proposed   for   Fraser chinook
WCVI AABM (Areas 121
to 127)		 a)   Apr 1 to July 31, Chinook non- retention;
b)   Aug 1 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.		 No   measures   proposed   for   Fraser chinook 
WCVI ISBM No   measures   proposed   for   Fraser chinook No   measures   proposed   for   Fraser chinook
Johnstone   Strait   (Area 12) c)    Apr 1 to July 31, Chinook non- retention;
d)   Aug 1 to Aug 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries);
e)   Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.		 a)   Apr 1 to August 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries).
b)   Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.
 
Strait of Georgia – North
Areas   13   to   17,   28,
portion of 29 (29-1 and
29-2)		 a)   Apr 1 to July 31, Chinook non- retention;
b)   Aug 1 to Aug 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries);
c)    Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.		 d)   Apr 1 to August 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries).
e)   Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.
Strait of Georgia – South and
Juan de Fuca
Areas 18 to 20, portions
of Area 29 (29-3 to 29-5)		 a)   Apr 1 to July 31, Chinook non- retention;
b)   Aug 1 to Aug 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries);
c)    Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.		 a)   Apr 1 to July 31, 1 chinook/day; hatchery marked only
b)   Aug 1 to Aug 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries)
c)    Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.
Fraser River Tidal and Non Tidal and Sub area 29-6 to 29-10 a)   Jan. 1 to August 23 , No fishing for salmon.  Aug. 23 to Dec. 31, Chinook non-retention a)   Jan. 1 to August 23 , No fishing for salmon.
b)  Aug. Aug 23  to December 31, 1 Chinook/day
Freshwater          Regions 3,5,7 &8 b)   closed to fishing for salmon except in some areas where fisheries on other stocks or species may take place. c)    closed to fishing for salmon except in some areas where fisheries on other stocks or species may take place.
First Nations
South Coast a)   Fishing to FSC communal allocations as in previous years; marine FSC Chinook fisheries are largely terminal and directed at local Chinook stocks.  No measures proposed for SCA First Nations chinook fisheries. A)   Fishing to FSC communal allocations as in previous years; marine FSC Chinook fisheries are largely terminal and directed at local Chinook stocks.  No measures proposed for SCA First Nations chinook fisheries.
Lower Fraser a)   Jan. 1 to Aug 10, very limited impacts on chinook in FSC fisheries
b)  After Aug. 10, targeted chinook fishing or bycatch during sockeye- directed opportunities.		 a)   Jan. 1 to Aug 10, limited chinook directed FSC fisheries with effort limitations extended to Aug. 10 or bycatch during sockeye- directed opportunities
b)  After Aug. 10, targeted chinook fishing or bycatch during sockeye-directed opportunities.
BC   Interior      –   d/s   of Thompson Confluence a)   Jan 1 to Aug 10, very limited impacts on chinook in communal FSC fisheries. Time or gear restrictions.
b)  After Aug. 10 limited selective chinook fishing or bycatch during sockeye-directed opportunities until.  Later in August, targeted chinook fishing or by-catch during sockeye directed fishing. Low impact terminal harvests.		 a)   Jan 1 to Aug 10 limited communal FSC fisheries. Time or gear restrictions.
b)  After Aug 10, Directed chinook fishing or bycatch during sockeye-directed opportunities.
BC   Interior      –   u/s   of Thompson Confluence Note: the only chinook in the  area  are  Spring  52 and Summer 52 chinook. Fisheries in the area constrained by preferred gear type or fishing times. Discussion required to reduce overall catch. Fisheries in the area constrained by preferred gear type or fishing times.
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