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[Rodney]

FN0460-Sockeye: Region 2 - Fraser River Non-tidal Waters - Closure

Spawning escapement targets are developed each annually for each of the four Fraser River sockeye stock aggregates.  For 2006, the Early Stuart sockeye are forecast to return at numbers insufficient to meet the proposed escapement target.  Management actions are being undertaken in all fisheries and for all sectors to minimize impacts on these stocks.  The Early Stuart sockeye stock aggregate is forecast to begin entering the Fraser River during the last week of June.

Effective 00:01 hours June 26, the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River from the CPR Bridge at Mission, BC upstream to the Highway No. 1 Bridge at Hope, BC are closed to fishing for sockeye.

During this critical migration timing for Early Stuart sockeye, the recreational community will be required to fish selectively for chinook.  The first principle of selective harvest is to avoid catching non-targeted stocks.  This means that anglers are requested to use angling methods that do not catch sockeye.

The second principle of selective harvest is to release sockeye in the manner which causes the least harm.  Information on catch and release tips can be found here.

Notes:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.  This includes all species of fish in the Fraser River.

The term "hatchery marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and coho salmon.  Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for coast-wide stock assessment.  Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation?  If so, please call the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line at (800) 465-4336.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at (866) 431-FISH.
 
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0460
Sent June 23, 2006 at 1537

http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/fns/index.cfm?pg=view_notice&lang=en&DOC_ID=89684&ID=recreational

[Big Steel]

With this, we can see that the season if coming up on us fast!!  Yippie!!  The sockeye can kiss my.....  Bring on the Chinook!!

[The_Other_Gman]

Interesting change in language this year.

[nosey]

C'mon there are anglers out there who's only method of catching any kind of salmon has been the method used to catch sockeye so why pussyfoot around it spell out exactly what you mean by selective measures. I know it's a hot subject but whatever , some things have to be said, and one of them is if the first nations see people out bottom bouncing for salmon when theyhavew been asked to volentarely use selective measures then they will net fish, a show of good faith has to be made on all sides.  Why does the DFO ask for selective measures when they knoiw their are irresponsible sports anglers out ther thatr will be bbing with 20 ft, leaders and justr agrivating an already volatile situation when they could just legislate it with a leader length restriction. Sockeye are the most fragile of the Pacific salmon and should not be caught and released, sure it might look good when you release it at peg leg but the that fish only started out with a 5percent energy reserve and it's a long way to the Stewart River.

[nosey]

Before someone else mentions it, just cause I can't spell don't mean I can't have a valid opinion on fishing.

[All Tangled Up]

Hey nosey, how about fly-fishing with an overly weighted hook? Could one do that or is that a non-selective technique? I've seen this done on many rivers with great success. I think the whole river should be shut down during this critical time. There is no need to fish by any method and risk harassing these precious stocks.

[nosey]

Yes I've seen people flossing with fly rods too, shutting the river right down for everyone during conservation sensitive times is not an unreasonable option trying to impose ethics on a group of people makes all sports anglers look bad when a small percentage choose to ignore it. Ethics cannot be left up to each persons individual conscience, you either got them or you don't.

[Big Steel]

Yes I've seen people flossing with fly rods too, shutting the river right down for everyone during conservation sensitive times is not an unreasonable option trying to impose ethics on a group of people makes all sports anglers look bad when a small percentage choose to ignore it. Ethics cannot be left up to each persons individual conscience, you either got them or you don't.

Exactly, my feeling exactly Nosey!!

  But I still think that perhaps DFO should ban flossing while the Stuarts are in the river.  Then, when there is going to be an opening for sokeye, let the flossers go out and do what they do!!
  As for Bar-fishing, it is my opinion that this is a selective way of fishing.  Sure people will get the odd Sockeye this way, but it is a heck of a lot better then the other option available!!  Nothing is 100% effective when it comes to not catching a certain type of fish.  Might as well go with the best option!!

[BIG T]

Yes I've seen people flossing with fly rods too, shutting the river right down for everyone during conservation sensitive times is not an unreasonable option trying to impose ethics on a group of people makes all sports anglers look bad when a small percentage choose to ignore it. Ethics cannot be left up to each persons individual conscience, you either got them or you don't.

Well said

[mikethesportsfisher]

The natives will catch the early sock's in their nets anyways 

Mike <")))))><

[troutbreath]

Done right, fly flossing is deadly and you look cool as well. Longest flossing line you can imagine. I like a large "fly" on the end. Colour don't matter.

[Gooey]

Lets not clowdy the issue by diverting attention to the natives/netting...we can only be responsible for ourselves.

It is true though that is we expect the natives not to fish out side of openings then we need to do our part and respect DFO's "request"...we can't have higher expectations of the FN than we do for ourselves!

until dfo makes a totally clear statement tho, there is going to be division what does this mean any how:

required to fish selectively for chinook.....This means that anglers are requested  to use angling methods that do not catch sockeye.

Mixed message if you ask me...although I know the intention.


 

[lucky]

wondering if there was a FN opening today? while in Richmond I noticed a small boat drifting a net, didnt look like they pulled in much in the two drifts I saw them make.

[Rodney]

Nosey, compliance in the sportfishing community is generally very high and regional staff of DFO always wish to work with this group instead of against it. Protection of a threatened fish stock is everyone's business, and DFO wishes to see the sportfishing community self-regulating itself as fishery officers cannot be at everyone at all time. Implementing a leader length restriction seems to be an easy solution, but it may lead to many enforcement problems. It is pointless to introduce another rule to regulate, while the existing ones are not heavily enforced already. Those who write up the regulations do not wish to complicate a set of rules that is already hard to interpret for some.

The message of this notice is simple: While enjoying the Fraser River chinook salmon fishery, avoid catching sockeye salmon by any means. If there are too many Early Stewart sockeyes being by-caught then the chinook salmon fishery maybe closed during the migration of Early Stewart sockeyes.

FishFreak is right regarding no fishing methods are 100% selective. However I think in this case they are requesting anglers to employ a fishing method that can reduce the number of by-catches of sockeye salmon tremendously, ie. barfishing. They are not looking for 0% mortality of Early Stewarts by sportfishermen, but low interception by sportfishermen.

Of course some will still be out and disregard this notice by fishing with whatever methods they feel like, there will always be a small percentage that ruins it for the rest of us. The best you can do is to follow the request and enjoy the fishery.

The natives will catch the early sock's in their nets anyways 

The Fraser River First Nations are also being told to use whatever means to avoid by-catches of sockeye during this time of the year, but they will also have some members who will disregard the request. It isn't necessary to generalize the entire user group as one bad entity.

We could sit here and continue bickering about which methods or which group of anglers do more bad than others every year, nothing constructive would derive from it. If you truly feel that the regulations are not up to your standard, then my suggestion would be to join a local active fishing organization such as the Fraser Valley Salmon Society and deliver your concerns to the representatives. Local groups have representations at the Sportfishing Advisory Committees, where the angling public consults with DFO on current issues and regulation changes.

[Rodney]

wondering if there was a FN opening today? while in Richmond I noticed a small boat drifting a net, didnt look like they pulled in much in the two drifts I saw them make.

Musqueam and Tsawwassen First Nations have a 48 hour opening until noon today.