2005 FISHERIES WRAP-UP
 
BC FISHERIES BRING IN SECOND LARGEST HAUL IN A DECADE

The preliminary 2005 statistics on fisheries in British Columbia are now available.  With commercial landed value totaling $325 million, last year was very strong for most B.C. fisheries, posting the second highest catch within the past 10 years. 

DFO’s management priorities are to conserve fish stocks for the long-term and improve the economic performance of the fishery overall. 2005 was a successful year in both key areas.  Conservation goals were met for stocks of concern in B.C. and a broad range of fishing opportunities were offered throughout the season. 
 

Highlights of the 2005 Fishery

• Groundfish fisheries, such as halibut, hake and sablefish, continue to dominate B.C.’s commercial fisheries, comprising of 68 per cent of the total landed weight and 45 per cent of the total value of all fisheries.  The Halibut fishery continues to be one of the most valuable commercial fish species in the North Pacific.
   

• Pacific hake was B.C.’s largest single-species harvested by weight. It accounted for 39 per cent of the provincial total commercial harvest and 57 per cent of the groundfish commercial harvest in 2005.
   

• Shellfish also continues to generate significant revenue as market value remains high, representing 34 per cent of the total B.C. fisheries value, while only comprising six per cent of the landed volume.  Crab, geoduck and prawn fisheries were the largest contributors to commercial shellfish landed values.
   

• Salmon constitutes 12 per cent of the total catch of the BC fishery and 10 per cent of the landed value.  Within the salmon fisheries, chinook continues to be the most commercially valuable, while pink makes up 48 per cent of commercial catch of BC salmon.
   

• Sockeye salmon and Strait of Georgia coho salmon fisheries were curtailed in 2005 due to continued adverse ocean conditions and conservation concerns for critical stocks.
   

First Nations Fishing

Food, social and ceremonial opportunities were available throughout the province in 2005 with some fisheries curtailed in the Skeena and Fraser rivers due to conservation concerns.  First Nations across B.C. harvested shellfish, salmon, groundfish and many other species for food social and ceremonial purposes in 2005.  First Nations have a constitutionally protected right to fish for FSC purposes, and these fisheries have first priority after conservation objectives have been met.  Salmon has particular cultural significance to coastal First Nations in B.C.  
 

Recreational Fishing

The BC recreational fishery continues to generate benefits to the economy and to the region’s social fabric. It is a major tourist attraction for both domestic and foreign markets, and it generates approximately 8,900 jobs in British Columbia. The recreational sector also contributes about $233 million to B.C.’s GDP each year. (Source:  BC Stats, 2002)
 

Improved Ways of Managing the Fisheries

A number of major initiatives were launched in 2005/2006:

• General reforms to the Pacific fishery began in 2005 with the implementation of The Wild Salmon Policy and demonstration fisheries to explore different fishery management strategies.  For example, in the North Coast a fishery was held using flexible fishing arrangements in terms of sharing allocation and duration of fishery openings.  DFO will continue to explore flexible fishing programs with different areas and gear types this season.
   

• DFO also stepped up enforcement patrols in the Fraser River in the summer of 2005.  Patrols doubled from 2004 and officers were brought in from other areas and provinces to monitor illegal fishing activities during closed periods of the season.  Charges were laid against more than 150 people across British Columbia, mostly for fishing during a closed period.
   

• A new catch monitoring initiative is underway to improve the accuracy of catch statistics and provide better dockside and vessel monitoring.

DFO is committed to working with the First Nations and recreational and commercial fishing sectors to adopt innovative and flexible means to conduct sustainable and profitable fisheries that are consistent with conservation objectives.