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[IronNoggin]

Seems to be a re-occurring theme once again at play here...

Chinook: Approximately 34,000 Somass chinook are forecast to return to Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet in 2012. The predicted adult age composition is 5%, 33% and 62% of 3, 4 and 5-year olds, respectively. Given the age composition, about 24,000 spawners are required to meet the 57.2M egg target for the system. Therefore, about 10,000 Somass chinook are available for harvest in the ‘terminal fishery’ from Alberni Inlet seaward to Barkley Sound.

The Recreational Sector's "Priority Access" catch has been tracked throughout the summer and hovers around 11K. As the data collected included the Sound, a good number of the fish caught attributed to the local system were most likely not from here.

Area D Gillnet Fleet was held to their number through their two-hour opening Wednesday last. Close Monitoring and Communications ensured their catch was within the 1,300 allotted to them.

The same can NOT be said for the Tsu-ma-uss (Hupacasath, Tseshaht) FN Economic Fishery (Commercial). They were allotted a set target of 1,900. In fact, they removed ~ 9,300 springs during a madhouse two-hour opening Tuesday last. The actual catch was therefore 7,400 OVER the assigned target number? A 490% Over-Harvest! On a recognized Conservation Concern run! 

Given this year's run projection (see above) it is obvious that the suggested "available catch" has been well exceeded - in fact we are now at 216 % (21,600) of that suggested harvest number.

Under these circumstances I have Very Serious Conservation Concerns for this year's run. As such I cannot with any conscience support leaving the Inlet and river open for retention for springs by our own sector. I have advised our local SFAC that facing the very real possibility of not even achieving sufficient escapement to meet "hatchery requirements" (even at today's greatly reduced scale)  I very much believe we must curtail any further removals of these fish via any sector whatsoever. And I am therefore calling for an immediate meeting of the SFAC to deal with this matter in a timely manner.

What the FN's have done is beyond ATROCIOUS!
They HAD to realize what they were doing...
And just where the hell was DFO in this mess beyond launching it?
Obviously NOT ensuring any form of Compliance...

As noted, this has become a FAR too repetitive Disaster.

The River is LOW and Warm, which of course is the perfect conditions to stack them at the river's mouth. Which is exactly what happened. And is exactly why they were such "sitting ducks" for the nets.

I have walked a lot of the river in the past week and change. There are a few at the Falls, waiting for high enough water to jump them and wander up. "Few" being the operative word. Between there and Papermill they are basically non-existent. Saw but a couple near the Store Pool and nada the rest of the way down. Without rain, or a surge from one of the impound lakes, the few fish that remain are very reluctant to enter the fresh water.

No Apologies, No Remorse. Smash them 'till they're gone mentality seems to rule at least one particular sector here.
And this same scenario plays out year after year after year with with the same "Sector".
If DFO doesn't get a handle on that, as they appear to have with the "other" commercial gillnet fleet, the writing for this run is on the wall...

I for one certainly will NOT kill (or even target) another spring here. I hope the balance of the anglers feel the same way! To do so would be putting Personal Greed on a higher pedestal than the run's basic Survival!!

I IMPLORE those who fish this area to PLEASE forgo bonking any more springs. And Please spread the word while out there as well.
They are hurting, and any further removals at all may well prove to be the last straw for their ongoing survival!!

Nog

[IronNoggin]

As of September 7th:

Escapement:
The Stamp Falls Chinook counters are operational and the river above Stamp Falls was assessed by a swim team Sept 6th. They observed approximately 1100 pcs of Chinook and 1100 pcs of Coho.

Catch Estimate: ~ 22,861 pcs
Port Alberni Tsu-ma-uss fishery – 9700 pcs ( includes EO and FSC )
Commercial Gillnet – 1306 pcs
Recreational – ~ 11,900 pcs

The FN Fishery is now recognized to have removed 9,700 springs, 400 more than previously reported. Brings their number to 511% of their allocated Target Number.

The overall catch now is very close to 230 % (22,906) of what was recommended for a Conservation Concern run of this limited size.

We simply can NOT afford to keep Killing Them!! 

Nog

[StillAqua]

The same can NOT be said for the Tsu-ma-uss (Hupacasath, Tseshaht) FN Economic Fishery (Commercial). They were allotted a set target of 1,900. In fact, they removed ~ 9,300 springs during a madhouse two-hour opening Tuesday last. The actual catch was therefore 7,400 OVER the assigned target number? A 490% Over-Harvest! On a recognized Conservation Concern run! 

Shameful but not unexpected. Communal licences, where they "jointly harvest to one total harvest level among themselves", rarely work in a gold rush mentality/event. Individual quotas are the only way to hold individuals to a harvest level and accountable for their actions.

[Fish Assassin]

Did you really expect DFO to do something different. They talk about conservation ad nauseum but actions (or lack of) speaks volumes about their agenda

[IronNoggin]

Shameful but not unexpected. Communal licences, where they "jointly harvest to one total harvest level among themselves", rarely work in a gold rush mentality/event. Individual quotas are the only way to hold individuals to a harvest level and accountable for their actions.

This AIN'T about the method involved. The "Communal License" actually worked quite well for the Real Commercial Gillnetters - they stuck to a mere 6 over. And btw, the same works extremely well with the WCVI troll fleet.

MUCH more to do with the lack of control by a certain "sector" while patrol boats stood idly by watching the entire thing develop...

They talk about conservation ad nauseum but actions (or lack of) speaks volumes about their agenda.

In this particular incident, as with similar instances of the exact same in the past, I rather STRONGLY Concur.

Nog

[IronNoggin]

Adding Insult to Injury...

I have now heard from reliable sources that there was a fair amount of "stockpiling" occurring prior to the opening in question. There are also reasons to believe DFO is aware of this fact.

DFO had two Patrol Boats "monitoring" the fishery, so apparently were aware of the catch rates as they occurred. Yet they sat idly by and did nothing to ensure the harvest stayed within the allotted quota...   

Nog

[IronNoggin]

The local rag is today touting the FN fishery as a "success" and the higher than expected number of salmon caught is not a conservation concern quoted by DFO south coast director Andrew Thompson.

DFO in Contingency Mode, and apparently the media buys right in... 

[IronNoggin]

Letter to the Editor of the AV Times I sent:

" I am writing in response to the article “First Nations Fishery a Success” published in the AV Times on Monday September 10, 2012.

To call any fishery that Over-Harvests to the tune of 7,800 above and beyond their allotted quota a "success" is beyond Ludicrous. This opening had a target harvest rate of 1,900 chinook. Instead, the fishery removed 9,700 chinook. That represents an Over-Harvest of 511%!
Any other Sector that willingly surpassed their quota by such a huge margin would be the recipient of charges under the Fisheries Act, and subject to catch / equipment seizure.

The Chinook run to this river was forecasted to be but 34,000 overall. That requires an escapement of about 24,000 spawners to meet the 57.2M egg target for the system. At this point, over 23,000 have been removed from this year’s run, leaving a questionable 11,000 at best to try and meet broodstock requirements. Put simply, 11,000 can NOT meet even half of the number of eggs required to ensure this run continues into the future!

What the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nation’s did under these circumstances is unquestionably an Irresponsible and Unconscionable act. By their own actions, they have placed the very survival of Stamp River Springs in jeopardy for all.

Adding insult to injury is the understood fact that some of the individuals involved in this particular fishery were “stockpiling” springs before the opening ever happened. Another contravention that if performed by anyone else would have resulted in charges.

DFO is also accountable for this excessive Over Harvest. It is believed they were apprised of the “stockpiling”, and had two Patrol Boats supposedly “monitoring” the fishery. They HAD to see what the harvest rate was developing like, and yet chose to stand idly by while the carnage continued. For South Coast area director Andrew Thomson to publicly suggest that “the higher than expected number of salmon caught is not a conservation concern” under the present circumstances is completely Irresponsible in my opinion. DFO is after all the “management authority” for our fish, and are supposed to place Conservation first and foremost. Remarks of that nature, in light of such huge harvest excesses, serve only to illustrate just how out of touch many within that Department have become with reality in my humble opinion.

The Area D Gillnet (commercial) that followed the day after can in comparison truly be labeled a success. Close monitoring and communications with DFO ensured they stayed within but 6 fish of their allowed catch. A breath of fresh air in the way things are “managed” here, and certainly setting a rather fine example of just how to prosecute a successful fishery while adhering to the quota assigned by Management. Something I truly believe the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nation’s would be well advised to pay attention to.

Chinook salmon are an “Icon” to this area, and a great many people rely on their well-being, both from an economic and recreational point of view. To jeopardize their numbers for all due to sheer arrogance and greed is more than Irresponsible. It is in fact Criminal, and in my opinion should be dealt with accordingly. To publicly label such atrocious acts a “Success” borders on Lunacy. I therefore am writing this letter in the hope that you either publish it, or print something in the way of a retraction.

DFO is now clinging to the “hope” that more fish arrive than they had forecast. That may or may not occur. In the meantime, the recreational angling remains open. I, amongst many, have put away my rods as I simply cannot justify putting this stock at any further risk. I truly hope most anglers feel the same way. And for those that chose to go regardless, please “Tread Lightly”! The very future of these fish may well depend on it!!

Sincerely,
Matt Stabler"

Apparently they are running a "follow-up" story for tomorrow's paper. Kinda wondering just how much "spin" will be involved this go-around...

Nog

[troutbreath]

Good on you for writing to the paper to provide another perspective on the matter. Human nature will make people so greedy they do themselves and others harm. Sounds like a real bad case of fishing fever and bragging rites for the braves. Hopefully the FN people take it as constructive criticism. DFO are beyond hope, a cadilac running on a 39cc two stroke.

[IronNoggin]

Today's Article in the AV Times:

Tsu-ma-uss fishery worries fishermen
14 Sep 2012 Alberni Valley Times JULIE BERTRAND Jbertrand@avtimes.net

Last week’s First Nations chinook fishery has some sports fishermen in the Alberni Valley worried that too much chinook salmon was harvested.

On Sept. 4, Fisheries and Oceans Canada allowed a limited two-hour fishery opening, during which Tseshaht First Nation and Hupacasath First Nation caught 9,700 fish in the harbour and in the Somass River.

In an interview last week, DFO South Coast area director Andrew Thomson said that the high number of fish caught might indicate there is more fish in the river than what DFO originally thought. In a pre-season forecast, DFO estimated the chinook run size at 34,000 salmon. For conservation purposes, the ministry set a target number of 57.2 million eggs to be laid in the Somass River. For this to happen, DFO determined that only 10,000 fish could be harvested by all fishery sectors. However, according to a Somass River bulletin sent on Sept. 7, it was revealed that close to 23,000 fish had been harvested.

Alberni Valley Enhancement Association salmon hatchery volunteer Jake Leyenaar is among those fishermen crying foul.

“There are a lot of disgruntled folks in the system right now,” he said. “It cannot be an open, free-for-all fishery, when you have a small [run size] like that. If it keeps on going the way it is, somewhere along the way we’re going to have to pay the piper.”

However, Leyenaar cautions anglers to keep their cool, since he said the harvested salmon stock cannot be replaced by pointing fingers.

Meanwhile, Thomson said DFO maintains the higher-thanexpected harvest numbers may indicate there were more fish in the river than what the pre-season forecast suggested. However, the ministry will not know for sure until the end of the season after employees take a look at final numbers.

“In the meantime, we still don’t have a conservation concern for that stock,” he said. “It’s largely an enhancement-based stock, and we feel we can meet the need for the hatchery. That’s our current viewpoint.”

Hupacasath First Nation chief councillor Steven Tatoosh agrees with Thomson and DFO. He said that last week’s fishery opening was not only the shortest in his lifetime, but also certain areas were closed that had never been closed before.

“In my opinion, DFO’s pre-season forecast was wrong for the year. There’s plenty of fish in the river,” Tatoosh said.

And on it goes...
Nog

[dnibbles]

Nog,

Couple questions, and a couple comments. Feel free to pm if you would prefer.

1) Where are you getting your catch figures from?

2) Given what we have seen with pre-season forecasts (see Fraser sockeye 2008-2010. they can come in off by an order of magnitude sometimes), is it possible that the run may be larger than forecast? Although I'm not an Islander (Vancouver landlubber), I understand river levels are quite low down the WCVI, so in-river abundance may be low right now, even if there are a few fish out in the chuck. Or is it looking barren out there now too?

3) Comment: Although I don't know Thomson personally, from all accounts he is one of the better ones around in the Dino. I would think he would only make these statements if he is being passed some information from his subordinates that would support his speculation that there are more fish out there than originally forecast. Remains to be seen, I guess we'll know in a few weeks. I hope he's right.....

[IronNoggin]

1) Where are you getting your catch figures from?

Direct from DFO. Harvest numbers are those collected from the buyers who were on sight and tracked every piece sold to them. Current rumor in town is that this number is inaccurately low due to the buyers not being prepared for such a large take, and had insuffiecient funds in hand to purchase any more than that. Actual harvest is now understood to be near 11,000.  

2) Given what we have seen with pre-season forecasts (see Fraser sockeye 2008-2010. they can come in off by an order of magnitude sometimes), is it possible that the run may be larger than forecast? Although I'm not an Islander (Vancouver landlubber), I understand river levels are quite low down the WCVI, so in-river abundance may be low right now, even if there are a few fish out in the chuck. Or is it looking barren out there now too?

Anything is "possible", however not probable in this case.
River is very low, and warm (> 18 C).
Very few fish showing in the harbor and Inlet.
Approach lanes offshore are devoid of spawners...

3) Comment: Although I don't know Thomson personally, from all accounts he is one of the better ones around in the Dino. I would think he would only make these statements if he is being passed some information from his subordinates that would support his speculation that there are more fish out there than originally forecast. Remains to be seen, I guess we'll know in a few weeks. I hope he's right.....

Regardless of reputation, his statements were irresponsible. Unfortunately in this case, he will be proven wrong as evidenced by the current low escapement rates...

Nog

[IronNoggin]

Somass River Escapement Bulletin
Observations to September 28, 2012

OBSERVATIONS:
The Stamp Falls fishway counters have been operational since September 6. Since their inception, cumulative escapement through Stamp Falls is about 8,900 adult chinook, 18,400 adult coho, and 100 adult sockeye. Note that cumulative escapement includes: (1) night-time counts; and (2) salmon which migrated past Stamp Falls prior to operating the counters as estimated from the snorkel survey from the Great Central Lake dam to the Stamp Falls fishway on September 6. Daily escapement counts since the last bulletin ranged between about 220 and 430 adult chinook, as well as 420 and 650 adult coho. Adult sockeye daily escapement since the
last bulletin has been negligible. Compared to past years, Stamp Falls water level is moderately low (1.22 m); recent temperature data are unavailable. Currently, salmon escapement in the Stamp River appears to be unimpeded.
Note: Salmon escapement estimates in this bulletin are preliminary, based on an initial digital video review.

"Cumulative Escapement" now openly contains "guesstimates" derived from swims and whatever numbers are "thought" to have passed in the dark.

Woo-Hoo. 8,900 springs. Even if correct, that only leaves a measly 15,100 to go to meet escapement targets!
Have a look at the calender DFO! REALLY think it's going to happen?

[Stratocaster]

I would be skeptical about those escapement numbers.  Kind of like the cops policing themselves.  Any chance of overinflation?  Frankly sick to my stomach why the bag fleets are still allowed to fish them.  Why must they manage the fishery to miniscule margins?  Managing them to just barely cover escapement of 25K?  Why not allow an escapement of 50 or 75K?  Maybe allow some natural spawning perhaps?  What is the role of the Robertson Creek hatchery now?  To produce roe for the Japanese market? 

[IronNoggin]

FAR Too Little, FAR Too Late   

http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/fns/index.cfm?pg=view_notice&lang=en&DOC_ID=146744&ID=recreational

"Conservation measures are required to protect salmon in the Somass River due to extremely low water.

Effective October 15, 2012 until November 30, 2012, the Somass River from the boat launch at Clutesi Marina, approximately one (1) kilometre downstream to the power-line crossing situated near the Catalyst Paper Port Alberni Division mill is closed to all angling for salmon and fin fish. Variation Orders: 2012-396 and 2012-397."

Conservation measures that SHOULD have occurred immediately following the Rape & Pillage Fishery would have been a complete closure for springs system wide - if we were living in a sane world that is.

Note the area of closure: well below Papermill, in the tidal section below the Marina. While there was the odd angler tossing a line to stacked coho, chums and moldy springs there, the closure was imposed much more to stop the FN Triple-Hookers from inflicting even more damage on an ongoing basis (my opinion of course). Now that this section is closed, let's see if The Dino suddenly develop the intestinal fortitude to enforce it...

One might also note the timing - AFTER the rains had come and the fish were beginning to travel in serious numbers.
"Low Water" is always a concern, however that situation was well on it's way to self rectification.

I have heard Nothing back from the Official Fisheries Critics in Ottawa, nor BC, nor the MLA, nor anyone from DFO in this regard. it strongly appears they all simply want to sweep this one under the carpet.

Nor have I received any further information regarding escapement numbers since the 25th of last month. While that may be simple oversight, the suspicious side of me tends to wonder...
Sent in a direct request for those today, so I guess I'll find out one way or the other in short order now...

What a complete CIRCUS!   

Nog