OUTLOOK FOR 2001 SALMON SEASON Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be guided by a strong conservation framework in the management of salmon fisheries again in 2001. There is a recognition that fishermen have begun to change the way they fish, using more selective methods that target specific species and avoid stocks of concern. Selective fishing methods can, in some cases, allow fisheries to proceed when otherwise they would have been closed. All fishing sectors (First Nations, recreational and commercial) have worked hard at developing selective fishing techniques in their fisheries and these techniques will be used and built upon in conducting fisheries during the 2001 season. The season is expected to be similar to 2000, with fishing opportunities for all fishing sectors. First Nations will continue to have priority access to harvest salmon for food, social and ceremonial purposes. For the recreational fishery, it is anticipated opportunities will be similar to last year. Commercial fisheries in 2001 could improve slightly over the previous years. However concerns in the Central Coast for Rivers and Smith inlets sockeye, in the South Coast for Thompson River coho, and for West Coast of Vancouver Island chinook will constrain fisheries. Measures will be implemented to ensure impacts on these stocks are minimized. Marine survival of Upper Skeena coho in the North Coast has improved during the last three years, which should allow for some flexibility in developing fishing opportunities. Northern B.C. First Nations food, social and ceremonial purposes and a commercial sale fishery (ESSR) will be permitted on the Nass and Skeena River if surpluses are identified. Recreational fishers will have continued opportunities to harvest all salmon species in tidal waters. The proposed daily possession limit for coho will be increased to two fish per day in most areas, subject to consultations and scientific advice. This action responds to the general improvement observed in North Coast coho stocks in the past three years. Conservation concerns for coho still persist in some areas and conservation measures for these areas will be developed in the coming months. Non-tidal fisheries for chinook and other species will be permitted where stocks status permits. The commercial sector will have selective fishing opportunities for sockeye, pink and chum salmon. Actual Canadian exploitation rates for Upper Skeena coho were reduced to about 3% in 1998 and 1999 and were in the order of 6% in 2000, from the 30 to 40% range prior to 1998. The management approach for 2001 will be to conduct fisheries in a manner similar to previous years, with flexibility for more opportunities if in-season abundance is sufficient. This approach recognizes that in 2000 high levels of escapement were observed in many portions of the Skeena River. As the stocks are still in their rebuilding range, fishing opportunities will be designed to minimize impacts on Upper Skeena coho. Central Coast As in the North Coast, First Nations will continue to have priority access to salmon for food, social and ceremonial purposes. Recreational fishers will have continued opportunities to harvest all salmon species in tidal waters. Specific management measures will be required in some areas. The proposed daily possession limit for coho will be increased to two fish per day, subject to consultation and scientific advice. This action responds to the general improvement observed in Central Coast coho stocks in the past three years. Non-tidal fisheries for chinook and other species will be permitted where stock status permits. The commercial sector will have selective fishing opportunities for pink and chum salmon and a limited chinook gillnet fishery is also anticipated in Area 8. Rivers Inlet and Smith Inlet sockeye stocks will require maximum protection in 2001. All fisheries targeting these stocks will be closed. In addition, fisheries that intercept these stocks in other areas (e.g. Area 8) will be adjusted to ensure that by-catch levels are minimized. Southern B.C. For 2001, fishing regimes will be developed that limit the exploitation of Thompson coho and WCVI chinook in Canadian fisheries to the levels experienced in recent years. In the case of Thompson coho this has been in the order of 2 to 3% and in the case of WCVI chinook this has been about 5%. Strait of Georgia and Johnstone Strait coho returns are expected to be poor again in 2001 with no improvement observed in marine survival on these stocks. Although this is a "cycle" year for Fraser River pink, a strong return is not anticipated. The continued declining trend is expected to prevail for south coast chum stocks with few surpluses expected. Barkley Sound sockeye are expected to return at average or slightly below average levels with small surpluses anticipated. A range of management measures will be introduced to protect stocks of concern. These measures will be similar to previous years, but will generally include a closure of commercial troll fisheries for chinook in northern and southern BC when stocks of concern are prevalent. As well, there will be a continued focus on the use of highly selective fishing techniques in all sectors, and the management approach used in 2000 will be fine-tuned to provide ongoing protection for WCVI chinook stocks. In general on the South Coast, the normal range of fishing opportunities for First Nations food, social and ceremonial purposes will be available and some commercial sales fisheries should be possible on the Somass River (e.g. sockeye). The Department will continue to work with First Nations to determine fishing regimes that will provide priority access to salmon for food, social and ceremonial purposes while protecting stocks of concern. In the case of coho, management approaches will range from directed fisheries where stocks permit, to retention of by-catch mortalities to complete non-retention in some areas. For WCVI chinook, management approaches will be developed with First Nations that provide maximum protection for these stocks. In the recreational fishery, fishing opportunities will be similar to last year. The conservation measures introduced in 2000 to protect WCVI chinook will be maintained and possibly expanded. Directed coho fisheries will be permitted in terminal areas on the WCVI where stock levels permit and in other terminal areas where hatchery surpluses are available. A selective marked hatchery fishery for recreational fishing for coho is under review, and some opportunities are expected to be available again in 2001. A workshop is planned with the Sport Fish Advisory Board to discuss potential opportunities and the parameters of any fishing opportunities. The outcome of this workshop and subsequent consultations with other harvesters will be considered when finalizing fishing plans. In commercial fisheries, there will be no directed fisheries on coho and there will be non-retention of coho by-catch in all fisheries. Fraser sockeye fisheries are expected to provide significant fishing opportunities, while the anticipated low returns of Fraser River pink salmon are expected to result in no directed fishing opportunities. Barkley Sound sockeye, south coast chum and Nootka chum are expected to provide limited fishing opportunities for commercial harvesters. Commercial seine fisheries for sockeye may be considered in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, provided that coho by-catch concerns can be addressed. Fraser River sockeye are expected to return much stronger than the previous three years and should provide significant fishing opportunities for all sectors. However, Thompson River coho and WCVI chinook conservation concerns will be primary considerations in developing fishing plans for 2001. Both stocks will continue to require extensive protection and will constrain fishing opportunities for other salmon species for all sectors. Fraser River The preliminary estimate for Fraser River sockeye suggests a strong run size, which should allow for a significant catch in Canadian fisheries. The total allowable catch will depend on run size and escapement objectives, as well as by-catch concerns described above. As noted, Fraser River pink returns are expected to be low, but Fraser chum returns are expected to return at similar levels as recent years, providing limited fishing opportunities. First Nations are expected to have a full range of opportunities to fish for all species of salmon for food, social and ceremonial purposes, especially sockeye. Fishing opportunities will consider the need to conserve Thompson coho. First Nations commercial pilot sales fisheries for sockeye and chum could be considered, subject to negotiating acceptable agreements. Recreational anglers will have an opportunity to fish for sockeye, chinook and in some cases for coho in terminal areas where surpluses are identified. Commercial harvesters can anticipate significant sockeye fishing opportunities on summer run sockeye, but will be constrained by Thompson coho concerns late in the season and by the need to conserve Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run sockeye. Planning for the 2001 salmon season is well underway by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Initial consultations with the stakeholder groups have begun and will continue throughout the season, providing two-way communications on key issues, areas of concern and potential fishing opportunities. Integrated fisheries management plans are being developed that will describe the outcome of consultations, fishing plans, objectives and decision rules for managing the fisheries. -30- For more information: Greg Savard Backgrounder: SELECTIVE
FISHING
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