Northern B.C. and Central Coast Fisheries and Oceans Canada released an outlook for the 2001 salmon season in January. This update is to provide additional information and progress toward the development of the 2001 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP). Since the January update, consultations with First Nations, and with the commercial and recreational sectors, have continued and significant progress has been made toward finalizing fishing strategies for 2001. The North Coast IFMP for salmon is anticipated to be released in mid-May. The newest edition of the British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide (a two-year publication) is now available to the public. The salmon sub-committee of the Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC) met from February 26 to March 2 and reviewed papers related to forecasts for major Central Coast sockeye, pink and chum stocks, Skeena and Nass River sockeye, north coast coho (including upper Skeena coho), and West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) chinook. The outlook from these papers confirms earlier projections for these stocks. Good returns of Skeena and Nass sockeye are still anticipated and the rebuilding trend continues for some northern and central coho stocks with significant improvement expected in 2001. The status of north and central coast coho stocks has generally improved, allowing additional management flexibility, although a cautious approach will be necessary because stocks in some areas remain of concern. Rivers and Smith Inlet sockeye returns are expected to be very poor and will require maximum protection. Concern is also noted for Atnarko and Kimsquit sockeye and Rivers and Smith inlets pink and chum stocks. WCVI chinook stocks, which migrate through north and central coast waters enroute to their spawning streams, are also forecast to be very weak and will require continued special protection, especially in Queen Charlotte Island fisheries. First Nations Consultations with First Nations are still on going, and will continue throughout the season. After conservation, priority access to First Nations for food, social and ceremonial purposes is a guiding principle in managing fisheries. Fishing opportunities for food, social and ceremonial purposes are expected to be similar to previous years with additional flexibility possible in managing fisheries impacting upper Skeena coho. Special attention will be required in managing some upper Skeena coho stocks (e.g.: Sustut). Fisheries and Oceans staff have discussed the stock concerns for Rivers and Smith Inlet sockeye with Central Coast First Nations. Very limited food, social and ceremonial opportunities for Rivers Inlet sockeye are anticipated for the Owikeeno First Nation. Due to very poor returns of sockeye to Smith Inlet, no sockeye fishing opportunities are planned for the Gwa’Sala-Nakwaxda’xw First Nation. Arrangements are in place to pursue Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirements (ESSR) fisheries should surpluses become available. Recreational Opportunities for recreational anglers in the North and Central coasts are expected to be similar to 2000 in both marine and freshwater fisheries. The major change for 2001 will be an increased coho bag limit in marine waters. Marine survival of north and central coast coho, including most upper Skeena coho stocks, has improved, which allows for this additional flexibility. Directed coho fisheries for anglers will be provided in most areas, with a daily limit of two fish. Some areas may require protection and special measures will be announced in-season. Fishing opportunities for sockeye, pink and chum will also be similar to recent years in most of the north and central coasts, with daily limits of four fish in tidal waters. The exception being Rivers and Smith Inlet sockeye which will require maximum protection again in 2001, resulting in no directed fisheries for these stocks. In 2000, a special management zone was established in Rivers Inlet to protect Wannock River chinook. The measures introduced for the special management zone were effective in providing improved chinook escapement to the Wannock River system. A similar management strategy is planned for 2001. In 2000, conservation measures, such as limiting the daily catch of chinook to only one over 77 centimetres, were introduced in the Queen Charlotte Islands to protect West Coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI) chinook salmon. In 2001, similar conservation measures will be taken to minimize mortality of WCVI chinook in all Canadian fisheries. This will affect fisheries in the Queen Charlotte Islands again. Planning and consultations on WCVI chinook management measures are in progess and plans will be announced once this work is complete. A summary of bag limits for north and central coast marine fisheries are as follows:
Note: A maximum of four salmon in the aggregate may be retained by anglers per day. Like marine fisheries, freshwater opportunities will be similar to 2000, with few changes proposed. Anglers should check with local DFO offices for a summary of these opportunities. As in previous years, in-season stock assessment information may require in-season changes to salmon fishery plans. These changes will be made by Public Notice and updates will be posted for anglers on the website: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ and on the Talking Yellow Pages:
Commercial Based on pre-season forecasts and consultations with the commercial industry to date, fishing opportunities in both the north and central coast are anticipated. Net fisheries are planned to commence in mid to late June for Nass and Skeena sockeye, with pink fisheries beginning in July and running through to mid August, subject to Skeena coho conservation measures. Chum gillnet fisheries are expected to commence in Area 6 in late June with gillnet and seine fisheries for pink and later timed chum stocks planned beginning in mid July. Only limited terminal chum opportunities are anticipated in the Queen Charlotte Islands (Areas 1, 2E and 2W). A limited chinook gillnet fishery is planned for Area 4 in early June. Gillnet fishing opportunities for chum are anticipated to begin in early July in Area 8 and early August in Area 7. In the central coast, chinook gillnet fisheries will commence in early June in Area 8. Seine fishing opportunities for pink and chum are expected to commence in mid-July in Area 8 and in late July in Area 7. There are no commercial fisheries planned for Area 9 and 10 during 2001. Special conservation measures for sockeye will be in place in Area 7 and 8 during pink and chum fisheries. North Coast DFO staff have met with Area F (North Coast) troll representatives to develop new fishing regimes for this fleet. Historically, this fleet has targeted coho, local and passing chinook stocks, local and U.S. bound pink salmon and Fraser sockeye. Beginning in 1998, under the guidance of the New Directions policy paper and in response to severe conservation concerns (coho and chinook), significant changes have occurred to these historic fishing regimes. Consultations for the 2001 fishing season have focussed on alternative fishing opportunities. Further consultation is required, but initiatives targeted at local pink and chum, Nass and Skeena sockeye and local chinook stocks are being considered for the Area F troll fleet. Both experimental and full fleet opportunities are being pursued. Experimental opportunities are being designed to fill data gaps that will assist in planning viable opportunities for the Area F fleet in future years. It is not anticipated that the
low water levels expected throughout the province this summer will have an
impact on north and central coast salmon stocks. -30-
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