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.

South Coast SFAB Meeting, Nanaimo, March 30-31, 2019

UPDATE: Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act in Bill C-68 as well as subsequent changes to the BC Sport Fishing Regulations (BCSFRs) are reviewed and discussed here. A worksheet for the SFACs to capture members’ ideas regarding suggested changes to the BCSFRs is provided here.

The spring South Coast Sports Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) meeting will take place in Nanaimo, at the Vancouver Island Conference Center, Dodd Narrows Room on March 30-31, 2019. 

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Coast Bastion Hotel. This arrangement expires March 11.

We encourage members of the clubs and associations that comprise the ACS to attend on Saturday, March 30. This will help us gain recognition in support of the ACS regaining a seat on the main board of the SFAB.

The draft agenda can be viewed here. The first day’s agenda is shown below.

SFAB Meeting

Ryan Chamberland, our Area 19/20 SFAB Chairperson, invites you to attend an SFAB meeting on Monday, March 04 at 7:00 pm at the Juan De Fuca Kinsmen Fieldhouse (Building by Golf Course/Tennis Facility, same room as Made In BC Wild Salmon meeting – see the red shape tagged with a 5, below).

Topics on the agenda are:

  1. 2019 Chinook Salmon Fisheries Management.
  2. New halibut regulations for 2019.
  3. Avid Anglers Update.
  4. Southern Resident Killer Whale Update.
  5. Prawn Reductions. DFO is recommending a 50% reduction in prawn limits. The Chair will be seeking input as what the SFAB should recommend to DFO as acceptable limit changes.  
  6. Update on previous motions from Fall meetings.
  7. Thompson/Chilcotin Steelhead update.

If you would like to receive emails regarding future Area 19/20 SFAB meetings, important notices and letters, please contact Ryan via this email. 

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