REGAN ANNOUNCES COASTWIDE SALMON

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES IN 2005

VANCOUVER – Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today released the 2005 Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMP), which adopt a cautious approach to harvesting opportunities where there are stocks of concern. The plans for northern and southern British Columbia outline a range of initiatives to protect weaker stocks, such as Cultus Lake sockeye, while providing fishing opportunities for all sectors.

These management plans, which are based on the recently-announced Pacific Fisheries Reform and adhere to principles of the Wild Salmon Policy, follow extensive input from First Nations and stakeholders.

“In my many visits to B.C. since I became Fisheries Minister — and in my meetings with a wide variety of fishermen, First Nations, environmental organizations, and members of the public — one theme dominates every discussion: the salmon fishery,” said the Minister. “I have made salmon management a top priority, and am committed to making the necessary changes.”

Cultus Lake and Late-Run Fraser River sockeye stocks continue to be a significant conservation concern.  As such, the exploitation rate for Cultus sockeye and Late-Run Fraser River sockeye will be maintained at 10-12% and 15% respectively, consistent with levels established last year. This decision applies to fishing plans for 2005 and will be revisited for 2006 as the stocks and their status are re-assessed and progress is made on reforming the fisheries.

Sockeye and pink returns in the Fraser River are expected to be good, although poor returns of key populations will affect fishing opportunities.  Chum returns are expected to be strong throughout southern BC providing for a wide range of  fishing opportunities. 

Strong coho and chinook returns in some areas of the north and central coast are expected, with average returns of sockeye to the Nass River.  Pink salmon returns are expected to be above average in the Nass and Skeena Rivers and the inside central coast, while chum abundance will provide opportunities in the central coast and Douglas channel. 

Many fisheries on the Pacific Coast of Canada are sustainable, well managed and economically viable as a result of reforms over the last 15 years.  However, the salmon fishery is facing a number of challenges, including conservation concerns with some populations, allocation disputes and an economic downturn.  A blueprint for Pacific Fisheries Reform was introduced by the Minister on April 14, 2005, to address the underlying problems that face the salmon fishery. The four themes identified for Pacific Fisheries Reform are:

• Sustaining strong salmon populations through conservation;
• Strengthening DFO programs;
• Making progress on increasing First Nations’ access to economic fisheries; and
• Improving the economic performance of fisheries.

Progress on reform has been reinforced with the recent release of the Wild Salmon Policy and the 2004 salmon reviews. These commitments include $5.9 million to improve stock assessment, enforcement on the Fraser River, and catch monitoring programs and lay the building blocks to restructure the fishery. 

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Backgrounders:

DETAILS OF 2005 SALMON FISHING PLAN
IFMP CULTUS SOCKEYE

For further information: