Northern and Southern B.C. Salmon Management Plans Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) today released the 2001 Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMP) for northern and southern B.C. This update focuses on the highlights of the two plans for First Nations, recreational and commercial harvesters. Over the past four months, a number of Salmon Updates have been issued that have provided information on 2001 salmon planning activities and key decisions. The salmon IFMPs and the Salmon Updates are available from DFO offices or by visiting the DFO website at: http://www.pac.dfo-po.gc.ca/ops/fm/mplans/mplans.htm. The salmon management plans for 2001 are based on scientific information provided through the Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC) process, input from fishery managers and a host of other departmental staff. In addition, the IFMPs have been developed through consultations with First Nations, representatives of recreational and commercial fishing groups, and other stakeholders throughout the year. Stocks of significant conservation concern in 2001 are Thompson River coho, West Coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI) chinook, Rivers Inlet sockeye and Smith Inlet sockeye. Upper Skeena coho stocks also continue to be a concern, but an improved outlook will provide for more flexible fishing arrangements in 2001. The IFMPs were developed around the need to provide high levels of protection for the stocks of concern. As in recent years, directed fisheries on the stocks of concern will not be permitted and fisheries targeting other species and stocks will be constrained as required to achieve conservation objectives. Water levels affecting returning salmon stocks, such as Fraser River sockeye, are a concern throughout British Columbia. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is monitoring water levels and water temperatures to determine possible impacts on the 2001 salmon fishery. Below-normal water flows and higher-than-normal water temperatures in many streams and rivers, as a result of generally dry weather and low winter snow packs throughout B.C., may result in the introduction of special management strategies to protect returning salmon stocks. Special Management Zones will again be used as a tool to manage fisheries in 2001. Where there is a need to conserve salmon stocks, especially the stocks of significant concern, Special Management Zones are being established that provide for protection of these stocks. These Special Management Zones will be in effect at varying times in both the north and south coasts, and include such areas as the north and west side of the Queen Charlotte Islands, approach areas to the Nass and Skeena rivers, the head of Rivers Inlet, the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait, the Mainland inlets, the Strait of Georgia, Southern Vancouver Island, and the Fraser River. The Special Management Zones and the specific restrictions that apply are described in detail in the IFMPs. Selective fishing gear and methods are again a prominent feature of the salmon plans for First Nations, recreational and commercial fisheries. In addition, reliable catch information for all fisheries is crucial to in-season assessment and management. Rigorous catch monitoring programs will be in place for all fisheries. Increased assessment and enforcement will also be in place in areas of concern throughout the coast. New features in the salmon plans for 2001 include clearer and more detailed descriptions of management objectives, conservation/rebuilding plans for stocks of concern, decision rules for key fisheries and allocation plans for all fisheries. The conservation/rebuilding plans provide status reports on stocks of concern, an overview of the factors impacting these stocks and an outlook on the recovery prospects and the timer time periods for rebuilding of these stocks under alternative assumptions. Decision rules for key fisheries describe the basis for in-season management decisions. The rules are designed to account for the constraints imposed by stocks of significant conservation concern and will help to clarify stakeholders’ expectations regarding resource access under a variety of conditions. The development of these rules is an evolving process and further input will be sought from First Nations and other stakeholders to ensure that conservation measures and other common objectives can be met. NORTHERN AND CENTRAL B.C. Nass and Skeena sockeye and pink stocks are expected to support strong fisheries for all harvesters in 2001 and Central Coast pink and chum stocks are expected to provide a good range of fishing opportunities. Chinook salmon stocks are generally expected to provide opportunities for most harvesters, including limited commercial gillnet and troll fisheries, while continuing conservation concerns with passing WCVI chinook in the Queen Charlotte Islands area will require some special protective measures. Continued improvement to the health of North Coast and Central Coast coho stocks will provide expanded access in 2001 to both First Nations and recreational harvesters in most areas. However, the need for further re-building of upper Skeena River coho also requires continued restrictions on directed commercial coho fisheries and continued coho non-retention in most other commercial fisheries throughout the north and central coasts. First Nations After conservation needs are met, first priority will be accorded to First Nations for opportunities to harvest fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes and any treaty obligations (i.e. Nisga’a Treaty). Fishing opportunities are anticipated for First Nations for all salmon species in the North Coast. As a result of improved coho outlooks, directed First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries are planned on these stocks in 2001. First Nations food, social and ceremonial opportunities targeting northern chinook stocks will be permitted in most areas, as will opportunities to harvest abundant sockeye, pink and chum. Recreational Sockeye, pink and chum salmon opportunities for the recreational sector in the North Coast are expected to be good, including non-tidal fishing opportunities in selected systems such as the Nass and Skeena rivers. Systems such as the Kitimat and Bella Coola rivers also have the potential to support pink and chum fishing opportunities during the 2001 season. As a result of improved coho returns, directed recreational fisheries on these stocks will continue in 2001, with an increase in the daily possession limit for most areas (from one coho per day in 2000 to two coho per day in 2001). Chinook opportunities targeting northern stocks will be permitted in most areas, including non-tidal systems such as the Nass, Skeena, Kitimat and Bella Coola/Atnarko rivers. Commercial Commercial harvesters will have a wide range of opportunities to harvest sockeye, pink and chum in the north and central coasts. Mandatory non-retention of coho by commercial gear types will be in place again this year with minor exceptions for hatchery stocks in McLoughlin Bay and Cumshewa Inlet. The seine and gillnet fleets can anticipate strong fishing opportunities for sockeye and pink in the North Coast with moderate opportunities to harvest pink and chum in the Central Coast and limited opportunities on chum in some areas of the Queen Charlotte Islands. Small gillnet fisheries are also planned on Skeena and Bella Coola/Atnarko chinook stocks. New fishing opportunities for the North Coast troll fleet are planned. Targeted sockeye, pink and chum fisheries are planned in a number of areas of the north and central coasts. With the increased flexibility for managing upper Skeena coho, the Area 1 troll fishery targeting pink salmon in the A-B Line area will be re-initiated in 2001. Directed chinook fishing opportunities in the Queen Charlotte Islands are being explored for the fall and winter months, after mature WCVI chinook stocks of concern have migrated through the area. A chinook assessment fishery has been conducted in this area during the March to May period to gather stock distribution information for use in planning fisheries for future years. Consistent with recent years, there will be no commercial fishing for sockeye in Rivers or Smith inlets to protect these critical stocks. Measures to protect these stocks will also be taken in other areas where they may be intercepted. Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirement (ESSR) Fisheries Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirement (ESSR) fisheries may occur when salmon
stocks return to a system after passing through the various fisheries and are at
a level in excess of their spawning requirements. These fisheries have occurred
on a regular basis in the Skeena River for sockeye and pink, and for many years
on the Nass River for sockeye. Contingency plans are in place to conduct these
fisheries again in 2001 if surpluses occur. In addition to the Nass and Skeena
fisheries, other surpluses may occur (e.g. Pallant Creek) and ESSR fisheries
will be initiated in-season as conditions warrant. SOUTHERN B.C. AND FRASER RIVER Some Fraser River sockeye stocks are expected to produce strong returns in 2001, and subject to meeting conservation constraints, are anticipated to provide good fishing opportunities for all harvesters in 2001. Barkley Sound sockeye are also expected to provide a range of fishing opportunities for all harvesters. The outlook for coho stocks continues to be poor, especially for the Strait of Georgia and the Interior Fraser (including the Thompson River). Southern B.C. and mainland inlet pink and chum salmon returns are generally expected to be below average. With the exception of local WCVI stocks, chinook salmon are generally expected to provide opportunities for most harvesters, including limited fisheries for commercial troll fishers on passing stocks on the WCVI. Management of Fraser River sockeye may provide significant challenges for Departmental fishery managers and the Pacific Salmon Commission in the 2001 fishing season. A combination of stock concerns (Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run sockeye) and anticipated adverse water conditions (low water levels and high water temperatures) in the Fraser River, may require that special in-season measures be applied. Management actions will depend on stock updates from the Pacific Salmon Commission and weekly Environmental Watch reports provided by the Fisheries and Oceans’ Science Branch. First Nations After conservation needs are met, first priority will be accorded to First Nations for opportunities to harvest fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes. Fishing opportunities are anticipated for First Nations for all salmon species in southern B.C. West Coast of Vancouver Island coho stocks have improved and abundance is sufficient to provide limited fishing opportunities for First Nations. In other areas, coho opportunities will be more limited and generally directed at terminal areas on identified hatchery surpluses. In the WCVI First Nations fishery, constraints on the harvest of local chinook stocks are required, but opportunities to harvest passing chinook stocks will be available to First Nations. Sockeye stocks in 2001 are expected to be strong enough to support pilot sales fisheries in the lower Fraser River and on the Somass River. Fraser River pilot sales opportunities may be limited due to weak co-migrating returns. Negotiations regarding possible pilot sales fisheries in these areas are still underway. Recreational West Coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI) coho stocks have improved and abundance is sufficient to provide limited fishing opportunities for recreational anglers. In 2001, there will be non-retention of wild coho in the recreational fishery in all Special Management Zones, although a selective recreational fishery for hatchery marked coho will be permitted during some specific times and in some marine and terminal areas. Fishing for other salmon species within Special Management Zones will be permitted in most areas. However, within some Special Management Zones, there are areas and times when fishing for salmon is not permitted. The recreational fishery will be monitored within Special Management Zones to determine coho encounter rates, and in those locations where encounters are deemed too high, the fishery will be moved or closed. Special restrictions on the WCVI to protect chinook will be continued in the recreational fishery this year with some modifications. The conservation corridor off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, where no salmon fishing is permitted, is retained with some adjustments to better protect the stocks of concern. In addition, the retention of chinook greater than 77 centimetres in length is not permitted in a number of areas to better protect larger mature chinook. Finally, a number of specific area closures are being implemented where salmon fishing is not permitted. Planned recreational opportunities for sockeye, pink and chum will be similar to 2000. Non-retention restrictions will be in place to protect Early Stuart, Early Summer run Fraser River sockeye and Nimpkish sockeye. The IFMPs outline in detail the Special Management Zones and the specific fishing restrictions that apply in detail. The B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide outlines some of the fishing opportunities for hatchery marked coho. As always, in-season stock assessment information may require in-season changes to salmon fishery plans. Commercial Commercial harvesters are anticipated to have a range of opportunities to harvest sockeye and chum in southern B.C. in 2001. In addition, limited troll opportunities for chinook are planned on the WCVI. There will be no directed coho harvest for the commercial fleet in the South Coast, with continued coho non-retention and non-possession during all commercial fisheries. It is illegal to land coho from any areas. Fraser River sockeye stocks are expected to return much stronger than the previous three years and should provide for commercial fishing opportunities for all fleets. However, the conservation of Thompson River coho and early and late run Fraser River sockeye will restrict the window of time in which fishing on summer stocks can occur. In addition special measures may be required to deal with low water levels. Barkley Sound sockeye returns are anticipated to provide moderate opportunities for both troll and gillnet harvesters. Fraser River pink salmon are not anticipated to provide for significant
directed commercial fishing opportunities. Returns to mainland inlet pink
systems will be monitored in-season, and if surpluses are identified,
opportunities for all commercial gear types will be initiated. In-season changes for the commercial sector will be announced by Fisheries Notices to Industry. Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirements (ESSR) Fisheries Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirements (ESSR) fisheries may occur when salmon stocks return to a system after passing through the various fisheries and are at a level in excess of their spawning requirements. These fisheries have occurred on a regular basis at a number of hatchery sites throughout the South Coast. Contingency plans are in place to conduct these fisheries if surpluses occur. ESSR fisheries will be initiated in-season as conditions warrant. Changes to the recreational fishing regulations and in-season updates will be communicated through Fishery Notices, media reports, telephone information lines and postings on the Pacific Region Fisheries and Oceans web site at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. In-season information on salmon can also be obtained by calling the Talking Telus Pages at: Vancouver: 299-9000 Enter code FINS (3467) -30-
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