Tag «chinook»

Release of Draft 2026/27 BC Salmon IFMPs for Consultation

With FN0218, DFO has released their draft 2026-2027 Integrated Fisheries Management Plans.

Request your electronic copy by emailing to DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca, or view the documents below.

Deadline for submission of comments is April 10, 2026.


The draft IFMPs set out the policy framework that guides decision making, general objectives relating to management of stocks of concern, enhancement and enforcement, as well as decision guidelines for a range of fisheries.

Please refer to the New for 2026/27 for key changes for the IFMP that may be under consideration.

Section 13 of the IFMPs outline the Species Specific Fishing Plans, which describe fisheries plans for each of the salmon species and the management units and major fishery areas for each species. This section includes the relevant information on management approach, decision guidelines and specific management measures, as well as, information related to First Nations, commercial and recreational fishing plans for each fishery.

During March and April, the Department will be meeting with First Nations and recreational, commercial and environmental groups to seek further feedback on the draft IFMPs as part of the IFMP consultation process.

An electronic copy can be requested from DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Comments may be provided in writing via email to the DFO Pacific Salmon Management Team at DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=347091

Please refer to the “New for 2026/27” section at the beginning for key changes for the IFMP that may be under consideration; these changes have been bolded throughout the document for ease of reference.

DRAFT_Southern IFMP 2026-27Download
DRAFT 2026-27 Northern BC Salmon IFMPDownload

PFA Fisheries Town Hall Meeting – Thurs Nov 13 at 7PM

A bit late posting this reminder from Chris Bos, but…

Please attend the upcoming Public Fishery Alliance (PFA) Fisheries Town Hall Meeting. The event is scheduled for Thursday November 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Langford Legion Hall, 761 Station Avenue, Langford. 

DFO’s SRKW Recovery Team are proposing even more Chinook salmon fishing restrictions for the 2026, of which some would close Chinook fishing altogether.  

Salmon anglers were never the cause of the SRKW collapse, and we all know severely restricting our fishery is not the solution!  That will just result in the demise of the fishery. 

The PFA believe this Fisheries Town Hall Meeting is a crucial event.  Our knowledgeable presenters will cover the reasons why the PFA believe DFO is wrong in their approach to SRKW fisheries management. They will also present fact-based reasonable recommendations that the PFA believe is the correct approach. 

Please make every effort to join us at this important meeting and learn what you can do to help.  We look forward to seeing you there. 

Meeting re: Proposed New SRKW Salmon Fishing Regulations – Oct. 29 at 11:45 am 

There is a proposal from DFO relating to Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery that contains potential changes to chinook fishing in the entire SRKW critical habitat area, which includes Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait where we fish.  Below is the DFO presentation that contains those changes.  

The DFO SRKW Team will host an online meeting about their proposed regulation changes and give you a chance to comment.  A one-hour online MS Teams meeting on Wednesday October 29th at 11:45 am   has been scheduled specifically for you.  This meeting is specifically for sportsfishing participants to review the proposed changes in our area – it is not the local SFAB meeting which is scheduled for Nov 4 of this year. 

You may also want to respond directly to DFO about these proposed changes during the consultation period via email at DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca . You will need to respond by the October 31st deadline. 

Southern-Resident-Killer-Whale-Management-Measures-IMAG-TWGs-September-17-2025-PPNT-DeckDownload

Within the proposed changes, there appear to be a few things worth noting for clarification:

  • Chinook non-retention areas are proposed to become chinook closure areas. This will mean no more chinook catch and release in those areas.
  • There is no mention of a slot limit in those areas in which, for the past few years, chinook fishing was allowed and retention was permitted for chinook over the minimum length and under a maximum length.
  • Chinook closures would not apply to an area in which a mark selective fishery (MSF) is allowed; but a MSF typically has a narrow time window and, as ever, is at the discretion of the DFO.

________________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 265 327 058 767 7

Passcode: Yo2rY7Df

Dial in by phone

+1 647-484-5913,,344358975# Canada, Toronto

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 344 358 975#

Join on a video conferencing device

Tenant key: teams@dfo-mpo.video.canada.ca

Video ID: 113 359 511 1

More info

Release of Draft 2025/26 BC Salmon IFMPs for Consultation

With FN0152, DFO has released their draft 2025-2026 Integrated Fisheries Management Plans.

Deadline for submission of comments is April 4, 2025.

To obtain an electronic copy for review, please click the link below: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/51r5krj3o5o1e86db7qop/AH1FZORsMWUmAPv5wR3YRZ8?rlkey=qn1tacmnj178rocvvte5lhvga&st=anh8gp79&dl=0

The draft IFMPs set out the policy framework that guides decision making, general objectives relating to management of stocks of concern, enhancement and enforcement, as well as decision guidelines for a range of fisheries.

Please refer to the New for 2025/26 for key changes for the IFMP that may be under consideration.

Section 13 of the IFMPs outline the Species Specific Fishing Plans, which describe fisheries plans for each of the salmon species and the management units and major fishery areas for each species. This section includes the relevant information on management approach, decision guidelines and specific management measures, as well as, information related to First Nations, commercial and recreational fishing plans for each fishery.

During March and April, the Department will be meeting with First Nations and recreational, commercial and environmental groups to seek further feedback on the draft IFMPs as part of the IFMP consultation process.

https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=316953

You may read the northern and southern IFMPs via the fishery notice, or the files below:

DRAFT Northern IFMP 2025-2026Download
DRAFT Southern IFMP 2025-2026Download

Page 37 of the draft Southern Salmon IFMP has a section that speaks to Mark Selective Fisheries. As per last year, please note that for a significant time period, COVID precautionary measures reduced fin clipping at Canadian salmon hatcheries to near zero; there will be a few years where recreational fishers seeking marked salmon will be dependent upon Washington state origin fish for success.

Mass Marking / Mark-Selective Fisheries

The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) provides new investments to support potential
implementation of Chinook mass marking and mark-selective fisheries as part of an integrated
management approach. To advance this work, DFO sought input from First Nations and
stakeholders during a series of workshops that began in December 2022, leading to DFOs development of An Implementation Framework for Mark-Selective Fisheries for Southern British
Columbia Chinook Salmon (draft MSF Framework). The Department is currently reviewing
feedback on the draft MSF Framework and considering next steps for MSF. Any specific MSF
plans will be consulted on. The Department is also considering changes to gear (i.e., what
fishing hooks are permitted) during Chinook MSFs.

DRAFT Southern IFMP 2025-2026

Feb 26: Greater Victoria Spring 2025 Sport Fishing Advisory Committee Meeting

DFO’s Mark Frisson has recently notified us regarding the subject meeting. You are invited to attend and participate.

  • Important: attached is a letter outlining a proposed hatchery Chinook production change. This proposed change will be discussed further at the meeting. If you cannot attend the meeting and would like to provide feedback please provide it to mark.frisson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca by March 3, 2025.
  • The 2024 fall meeting minutes and Regional Recreational Updates document are attached for review before the meeting. Please see below.
Meeting ItemDetails
TopicGreater Victoria Spring 2025 Sport Fishing Advisory Committee Meeting
WhenWed Feb 26, 2025 at 7 pm – 9pm (PST)
Where, physicalEsquimalt Anglers’ Association clubhouse, 1101 Munro St, Esquimalt BC V9A5P2
Where, virtualMicrosoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 288 132 482 691
Passcode: nN3BZ9Yh

Dial in by phone
+1 647-484-5913,,951852006# Canada, Toronto
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 951 852 006#
Join on a video conferencing device
Tenant key: teams@dfo-mpo.video.canada.ca
Video ID: 114 689 032 2
More info
2025-01-31 Memo_Proposed Change_Nitinat Chinook ProductionDownload

CBC: Port Renfrew fate in hands of DFO

Our national broadcaster and news organization has recently published an article that looks at how the fate of Port Renfrew seems to lie in the outcome of the decisions yet to be finalized by DFO with respect to chinook salmon fishing closures.

In materials presented to the sport-fishing community Jan. 12, DFO mapped out important foraging areas for the southern resident killer whales. 

…the fishing community rejects the modelling informing the map. Recreational fishers say they almost never see the endangered whales near the shoreline. 

“For DFO to say it will shut an area down when southern residents are rarely there makes no sense, and is negligent,” said Wayne Friesen, chair of the B.C. Recreational Fishing Association. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/port-renfrew-fishing-closure-dfo-1.7181011?cmp=rss

It seems curious that to explain DFO’s thinking on this subject, the CBC turned to Misty McDuffy, a non-DFO biologist with an NGO. Strange that DFO didn’t speak to its own decision making process; possibly waiting for political direction?

Important Recreational Fishing Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7 pm

Some important correspondence from Tom Davis:

Hello anglers, charter operators and angling business owners. There is an important recreational fishing meeting scheduled for Tuesday Feb 27th at the Four Points Hotel in Langford from 7-9.30 PM. It is co-sponsored by the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition, the Public Fishery Alliance, the Fraser River Sportfishing Alliance and the BC Recreational Fishing Association.

It is an information sharing and public input Town Hall meeting to discuss the pervasive damaging regulations that have been imposed on what was once the largest ocean  recreational salmon fishery in the world.

A panel of speakers has been assembled from the hardest hit regions of the south coast to discuss these issues and take questions from the audience. It is time to stop further erosion of angling opportunities. 

I know that some of you are aware of this meeting as the details have been shared broadly on social media, but I wanted to extend a personal invitation to those who may not yet know about it. 

If you are able to attend please do so, bring a friend and share this email with others in your fishing circles.

There will also be a 9.9 HP outboard motor door prize and a silent auction. 

I suggest you arrive early to register and to avoid delays.

An information poster is attached [see above].

Tight lines,

Tom Davis

Release of Draft 2024/25 BC Salmon IFMPs for Consultation

With FN0120, DFO has released their draft 2024-2025 Integrated Fisheries Management Plans.

The emailed fishery notice subject is wrong and says “2023-2024”; the body has it right as 2024-2025.

Deadline for submission of comments is April 15th, 2024.

To obtain an electronic copy for review, please click the link below: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/901xbyj9g0ywppuwkcv46/h?rlkey=m2ia50oj7720q10lsz61ba0h2&dl=0

The draft IFMPs set out the policy framework that guides decision making, general objectives relating to management of stocks of concern, enhancement and enforcement, as well as decision guidelines for a range of fisheries.

Please refer to the New for 2024/25 for key changes for the IFMP that may be under consideration.

Section 13 of the IFMPs outline the Species Specific Fishing Plans, which describe fisheries plans for each of the salmon species and the management units and major fishery areas for each species. This section includes the relevant information on management approach, decision guidelines and specific management measures, as well as, information related to First Nations, commercial and recreational fishing plans for each fishery.

During March and April, the Department will be meeting with First Nations and recreational, commercial and environmental groups to seek further feedback on the draft IFMPs as part of the IFMP consultation process.

https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=296577&ID=all

You may read the northern and southern IFMPs via the fishery notice, or the links below:

Page 37 of the draft Southern Salmon IFMP has a section that speaks to Mark Selective Fisheries. As per last year, please note that for a significant time period, COVID precautionary measures reduced fin clipping at Canadian salmon hatcheries to near zero; there will be a few years where recreational fishers seeking marked salmon will be dependent upon Washington state origin fish for success.

Mass Marking / Mark-Selective Fisheries

Since 2020 the Department approved a small number of recreational Chinook mark selective fishery (MSF) opportunities, which are planned to continue in 2024/2025, pending the post- season review of the available fisheries information. Details can be found here in Table 13- : Approved MSF Openings – Southern ISBM.

The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) provides new investments to support potential implementation of Chinook mass marking and mark-selective fisheries as part of an integrated management approach. To advance this work, DFO sought input from First Nations and stakeholders during a series of workshops that began in December 2022, leading to DFOs development of An Implementation Framework for Mark-Selective Fisheries for Southern British Columbia Chinook Salmon (Appendix 12). The purpose of this framework is to outline a risk- based, transparent and collaborative process for the evaluation, decision making, mitigation measures, implementation, review and improvements of MSFs targeting adipose fin-clipped hatchery Chinook Salmon in a manner consistent with the regulatory and policy requirements for Pacific salmon management. Proposals for new MSF opportunities may be submitted by all harvest sectors, or by DFO, and they will evaluated against the key criteria laid out in the framework.

https://acsbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-24-Southern-Salmon-IFMP-Draft.pdf

DFO seeking Species at Risk designations

DFO has posted several “consultations” with respect to designating certain salmon populations as species at risk, in which you may have an interest. Any one of these that wanders the Strait of Juan de Fuca or the Salish Sea, once designated as a species at risk, is bound to impact our already curtailed salmon fisheries on Vancouver Island

You are encouraged to review the relevant “Open” Pacific aquatic species consultations and provide any remarks to DFO where allowed. Filter by “salmon” to narrow down the choices. The two open consultations most relevant to the Vancouver Island chinook fishery are listed below:

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