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[Xgolfman]

Re-posted with permission..

So today I understand that DFO is going ahead with plans for an in-river Fraser Chum gill-net fishery next week regardless of the present total-angling-closure-for-Conservation measures in place on the Thompson.

these next two weeks are the peak of the Deadman component of the Thompson's run in the lower Fraser...NOT TO MENTION the fact that the river remains closed, regardless of test numbers.

DFO Salmon co-ordinator Jeff Grout and NEW lower Fraser area director Mel Kotyk seriously need to hear our concerns over this all to common ram-it-through opening...

For some reason every year we need to re-educate these DFO people about the importance of Interior fraser Steelhead to the Province of BC over Chum salmon.

go to this page for other DFO senior management staff....

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/toppages/contacts_e.htm


Mel kotyk...Lower Fraser area director...

kotykm@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Jeff grout...Salmon co-ordinator

groutj@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

[mastercaster]

Hear! Hear!   Some definite re-education is deeply needed here!  Otherwise ....say goodbye to the T steelhead.

[Fish Assassin]

Another example of DFO bowing in to political pressure. They don't have much credibility with me when it comes to conservation.

[Rodney]

DFO Salmon co-ordinator Jeff Grout and NEW lower Fraser area director Mel Kotyk seriously need to hear our concerns over this all to common ram-it-through opening...

They already do, or read... on the forum, so if there are constructive feedbacks whenever an issue emerges, present it and they will be noticed.

Anyway, I'm C&Ping a message to me from DFO regarding this:

Hi Rod - there seems there is some talk about a commercial gillnet fishery on Chum supposedly scheduled for next week.  Contrary to this belief - no such decision has been made.  The First Nations at the mouth of the Fraser and the Area E commercial representatives are certainly pressing hard especially since the marine First Nations and marine commercial fleet are both fishing Chum, and the Sto:lo up in the Fraser Valley are able to fish Chum using a beach seine.  However as the lower river fishers do not have selective means to catch Chum, and release steelhead unharmed, they remain closed.

The province has indicated that they want a maximum of a 20% encounter rate for steelhead and want a 90% assurance that this will be achieved, therefore they set a target date of November 7th when they feel this will be achieved.  This date is unsatisfactory to both FN's in the lower river and Area E representatives.  DFO is working with the province and the affected fishers to see if alternatives to the gill nets could be used to avoid steelhead.  There is a possibility of using tangle tooth net or a modified purse seine but it is unclear how many, if any, have this type of gear.  Discussions are ongoing to find a technique to fish Chum in the lower river and avoid steelhead.  In the meantime the gillnet fishery remains closed.

[IronNoggin]

Let's HOPE they come to some conclusion to address the VERY real conservation concerns faced by the Thompson run of steelhead!

Rod: Hope you don't mind, I cut and pasted your response over on FishBC. Lemme know if there's a related concern.

Cheers,
Matt

[Xgolfman]

Ditto, sure hope they stick to their guns on this one...good to hear though they are showing concern!!

[Old Black Dog]

Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0813-Commercial - Salmon: Gill Net - Area E- Fraser River Chum - Area 29- Opening

FRASER RIVER SOCKEYE

A surplus of Fraser River chum salmon has been identified in the terminal area,
as outlined in FN0797.

Gill nets open for 11 hours, 07:00 hours to 18:00 hours Thursday October 25 in
Subareas 29-11 to 29-17 and portions of Subareas 29-3, 29-4, 29-6, 29-7, 29-9
and 29-10 known as the Fraser River Mouth. 

The Fraser River Mouth is described as those waters off the mouth of the Fraser
River bounded on the west by a line from a fishing boundary sign on Point Grey
on the mainland, thence northerly to the Point Grey bell buoy, thence westerly
to the navigation buoy west of Point Grey, thence southwesterly to the
navigation buoy west of Sand Heads, thence southeasterly to the most westerly
point of the International boundary between Canada and the United States of
America in the Strait of Georgia, thence easterly along the International
Boundary to the mainland; and bounded on the east by a line commencing at a
fishing boundary sign located near the entrance to Canoe Passage, thence true
north to a fishing boundary sign on Westham Island, thence following the
shoreline of Westham and Reifel Island to the intersection of a line true north
and south through the navigation light at the westerly end of the Woodwards
Training Wall, thence true north to a fishing boundary sign on the shore of
Lulu island, thence following along the southerly shore of Lulu Island to Garry
Point, thence following the westerly shoreline to the most northwesterly point
of Lulu Island, thence to the most southwesterly point of Sea Island, thence
following the shoreline to the Iona Island Road, thence following the Iona
Island Road Causeway to the shoreline of Iona Island, thence following the
southerly and westerly shoreline of Iona Island and the North Arm Jetty to the
most westerly navigation light on the west end of the North Arm Jetty, thence
northeasterly to a boundary sign on Point Grey (the point of commencement).

The target for this fishery is chum salmon although retention of Chinook and
pink salmon is permitted.  Mandatory non-retention and non-possession of all
coho, steelhead, sockeye and sturgeon is in effect.

Important note: In order to reduce potential impacts on steelhead and coho, a
maximum net length of 100 fathoms and a maximum soak time of 30 minutes is in
place for this opening.  This means that a maximum aggregate net length of 100
fathoms (approximately 187.5 metres) may be on the drum of the vessel.  Minimum
mesh size is 158 mm (approximately 6.25 inches).  Maximum depth 60 meshes. 
Maximum hang ratio 3:1. Maximum corkline to web distance is 45 cm.

[Rodney]

Just to add to what OBD has posted. C&Ping from my inbox again, received yesterday.

This afternoon the province met with FN's and commercial fishers to discuss the steelhead conservation targets.  At the conclusion of the meeting they agreed that a short fishery next week can be done and keep within the 80% conservation target.  One concern with delaying the commercial fishery was with the timing of the Deadman River stocks.  This stock normally enters into the Fraser at the end of the migration window and if a Chum fishery was delayed till after November 7th, they could be jeopardized.

With this understanding in place DFO has agreed to authorize a short fishery next week with an increased level of monitoring to observe interactions with steelhead.  In addition to the regular monitors that are on site, additional DFO staff will be dispached to monitor the fishery.  There is also an opportunity for MOE biologists and others (sport anglers??) to participate in the monitoring program to observe the fishery to verify the catch and steelhead encounters.  If the encounter rate nears the 20% limit, the fishery will be shut down.

If any anglers are interested in participating in the monitoring program they can contact the Resource Manager at 604 666-6512 for more information.