Southern B.C. and Fraser River Fisheries and Oceans Canada released an outlook for the 2001 salmon season in January. This update provides additional information and progress on the development of the 2001 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP). Following the January update, consultations with First Nations and the commercial and recreational sectors have continued and significant progress has been made toward finalizing fishing strategies for 2001. The Southern B.C. 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 27 to March 2 and reviewed papers related to forecasts for Southern B.C. coho (including Interior-Fraser coho), Fraser River sockeye and pink forecasts, West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) chinook forecasts, and early-returning Fraser River chinook. The outlook from these papers confirms earlier projections for these stocks. Good returns of Fraser sockeye are still anticipated while Fraser pink salmon are forecast to be much lower than previous cycle years. Continued concern for Interior-Fraser coho (including Thompson coho), Georgia Basin coho, and West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) chinook stocks were again highlighted in the PSARC papers. Early-returning Fraser River chinook have shown declines in the past number of years and a cautious approach to management in 2001 is advised. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is monitoring river water levels and water temperatures to determine possible impacts on the 2001 salmon fishery. In recent years, adverse water conditions, caused by dry weather and low snow packs, have led to in-season management actions throughout the province to ensure adequate numbers of fish reach the spawning grounds. This will be the case again in 2001 if conditions warrant. The Southern B.C. coho paper identified the high likelihood of an "inside coho distribution" in 2001. Recent observations have tended to confirm that coho have begun the migration from the West Coast of Vancouver Island to take up residence in the Strait of Georgia. Fishing opportunities may be adjusted to account for any changes in fishery impacts or effort responses that might result from this change in coho distribution. First Nations Consultations with First Nations are still on going, and will continue throughout the season. Priority access to First Nations for food, social and ceremonial purposes will be a guiding principle in managing fisheries. Fishing opportunities for food, social and ceremonial purposes will be similar to previous years. In Johnstone Strait and the Strait of Georgia, there will be ample fishing opportunities for Fraser River sockeye, especially on Summer run sockeye stocks. Some restrictions may apply on Early Stuart and Early Summer Fraser sockeye returns. Nimpkish sockeye concerns are also expected to be prevalent again in 2001, and DFO staff will be working with local First Nations to develop appropriate fishing strategies to protect these stocks. Pink, chum and chinook opportunities will be similar to 2000, and DFO staff will be working with First Nations to develop management strategies that address concerns for depressed coho stocks. In the past few years, management measures in Johnstone Strait and the Strait of Georgia for other species have limited coho catches to incidental mortalities with some directed terminal area harvests on hatchery surpluses. On the WCVI, sockeye fishing opportunities for both local stocks (primarily Barkley Sound) and Fraser River stocks will be available. Unlike the east coast of Vancouver Island, coho returns to the west coast have improved substantially and directed First Nations harvests for food, social and ceremonial purposes will occur. Significant restrictions, similar to 2000, will be introduced into First Nations fisheries in late July/early August to protect weak returns of local chinook stocks. However, further consultation is still required before fishing plans are finalized. Chum returns to the WCVI are expected to be lower than recent years, but the normal range of opportunities for First Nations are anticipated. Pilot sale fisheries in Southern B.C. will be dependent on Somass River returns. Consultations on these arrangements are on going, but opportunities will be similar to recent years and consistent with the allocation policy. In the Fraser River, First Nations fishing opportunities are expected to be limited on Early Stuart sockeye, but good for Summer run sockeye. Special measures may need to be applied to Early Summer sockeye stocks. Late run sockeye stocks will be of concern if they enter the Fraser River early, as in recent years. Conservation measures will continue to be implemented during the migration of Interior-Fraser coho stocks. If adverse environmental conditions materialize (eg., low or warm water conditions), special management measures may be required. DFO staff have consulted with Fraser River First Nations regarding concerns for early-timed Fraser River chinook and fishing strategies are being developed that recognize these concerns. Fall fishing opportunities for Fraser River chum will occur again in 2001 after Interior-Fraser coho stocks have migrated upstream. Consultations are underway regarding possible Pilot Sale fisheries in the Fraser River for First Nations. These fisheries will be contingent on negotiating new agreements, but some opportunities are anticipated and will be consistent with the allocation policy. Recreational Opportunities for recreational anglers in Southern B.C. and the Fraser River will be similar to 2000, in both marine and freshwater fisheries. For sockeye, there will be good opportunities in Areas 11 to 29, with probable non-retention requirements in some areas during Nimpkish, Early Stuart and Early Summer sockeye run migrations. The normal range of angling opportunities will occur for pink and chum. For coho, a variety of fishing opportunities are planned. In Johnstone Strait, the Mainland Inlets and Georgia Strait, retention of wild coho will not be permitted. However, the normal range of terminal area fisheries for hatchery coho will proceed. These opportunities will be outlined in more detail in the Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide, which is now available. On the WCVI, where coho returns continue to improve, directed fishing opportunities for wild and hatchery coho will occur. These opportunities will be similar to 2000. In 2000, a significant expansion to coho selective hatchery mark fishery (SHMF) opportunities occurred. A workshop was held with the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) on March 4 to discuss potential opportunities for 2001. Additional consultations are still required to determine SHMF opportunities outside terminal areas. These opportunities will have to be co-ordinated with First Nations and commercial fishery management strategies to ensure conservation concerns for stocks of concern (e.g. Thompson coho) are addressed. For chinook, the normal range of angling opportunities is also expected, with the exception of fisheries targeting WCVI local stocks. In 2000, strict new conservation measures were introduced for the protection of WCVI chinook salmon and in 2001, the management objective to minimize mortality of WCVI chinook in all Canadian fisheries will continue. Again this year, a chinook conservation corridor will affect fisheries along the northwest coast of Vancouver Island after mid-July, and in the southwest coast of Vancouver Island from August through early-October. Spot closures, terminal area closures and non-retention requirements will also be in place beginning in late July/early August. Consultations with the SFAB are still on going and details of the 2001 restrictions will be announced once these consultations are complete. In both the tidal and non-tidal waters of the Fraser River, there will be recreational opportunities for sockeye, pink, chum, and chinook. Restrictions will be in place during the early portion of the Fraser River sockeye run and during the Thompson River coho run timing in order to protect these stocks of concern. Summer run Fraser River sockeye are expected to be strong, with good fishing opportunities expected, up to four sockeye per day after August 1. However, if adverse environmental conditions materialize (e.g.: low or warm water conditions), special management measures may be required. Late run sockeye stocks will be of concern if they enter the Fraser River early, as in recent years. Restrictions may have to be imposed to protect these stocks. Concern for early-returning Fraser River chinook stocks have been discussed with local sport fishing representatives. Measures to protect these stocks will be similar to previous years. Hatchery coho opportunities similar to those offered in 2000 in the lower Fraser River tributaries will be available. 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:
A summary of recreational bag limits for Southern B.C. tidal waters is as follows:
Commercial Based on pre-season forecasts and consultations with the commercial industry to date, fishing opportunities for all gear types are anticipated in the South Coast and for gillnets in the Fraser River. However, adverse environmental conditions (e.g.: low or warm water conditions) may require that special management actions be taken. For Fraser sockeye, good fishing opportunities are expected for gillnets and seines for the harvest of summer run fish in Johnstone Strait during August and possibly late July depending on run timing. Gillnet vessels fishing in the Fraser River (Area 29) will also have good fishing opportunities. Additional opportunities may also be available for seines in Area 29 (Fraser River mouth) and in Juan de Fuca Strait depending on the distribution of stock in these areas. Further consultations are required on these arrangements to ensure conservation and escapement goals can be met. Trollers are also expected to have good fishing opportunities for the harvest of Fraser River summer run sockeye in Johnstone Strait, the Strait of Georgia (Area H) and Queen Charlotte Sound (Area G). Fishing opportunities for Fraser River sockeye on the West Coast of Vancouver Island will be dependent upon meeting conservation objectives for stocks of concern (Thompson coho and WCVI chinook). Barkley Sound sockeye returns are expected to be below average, but fishing opportunities are anticipated commencing in late June for gillnet, troll and pilot sales fisheries. Seine fisheries will be considered if run sizes increase significantly beyond current predictions. Limited chum opportunities for gillnets in Nootka Sound and the Fraser River are planned, and in Johnstone Strait for gillnet, troll and seine. Limited troll opportunities for chinook will occur on the WCVI as a continuation of the Area G chinook troll pilot fishery. Fishery management strategies will be designed to protect stocks of concern (Thompson coho, WCVI chinook and early-returning Fraser River chinook). -30-
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