Thought I would share this but please keep discussion civil.
April 26, 2016
Dear First Nations and Stakeholders,
Re: Fraser River Spring and Summer 52 Chinook Management Approach
As part of discussions on the draft 2016/17 Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management
Plans for Southern BC, there has been considerable discussion about the management
approach that should be implemented for Fraser River Spring and Summer 52 chinook
for 2016 fisheries.
Under the approach outlined in the draft IFMP, a cautious management approach for
First Nations, recreational and commercial fisheries is implemented to start the season
with the assumption that returns of Fraser River Spring and Summer 52 chinook will be
less than 45,000 to the Fraser River (Zone 1). As in previous years, in-season,
consideration would be given to less restrictive management actions if catch
information from the Albion test fishery indicates higher chinook returns to the Fraser
River.
Management actions are specified for areas where these populations are most
likely to be encountered including: Northern (Area F) and WCVI (Area G) commercial
troll; Juan de Fuca (Victoria area) and Fraser River recreational; and Fraser River First
Nations FSC fisheries. Specific management restrictions are outlined in the Draft
salmon IFMPs for these fisheries.
A range of feedback has been received on the management approach outlined in the
draft IFMP for Spring and Summer 52 chinook. Similar to last year, the Sports Fishing
Advisory Board recommends standardization of management actions across Spring and
Summer 52 abundance zones.
Alternatively, First Nations have raised concerns about whether the draft IFMP
approach is providing sufficient priority for FN FSC fisheries given expectations for
reduced FSC harvest opportunities for Fraser chinook and sockeye in 2016 and
potential impacts on Fraser River Spring and Summer 52 chinook in recreational and
commercial fisheries. First Nations have recommended closures during May, June and
July in interception fisheries impacting Spring and Summer 52 chinook.
For 2016, in consideration of First Nations’ concerns and consistent with the priority
for First Nations FSC harvest opportunities after conservation, the Department is
seeking feedback on a proposed approach to manage recreational and commercial
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fisheries using more restrictive Zone 1 management actions for the entire 2016 season.
Proposed zone 1 management actions are outlined in the attached table. First Nations
FSC fishery opportunities would also be managed using Zone 1 management actions
unless inseason assessments indicate higher chinook abundance that could support
additional FSC fishing opportunities subject to conservation constraints for other stocks
(e.g. Spring 42 chinook and Early Stuart sockeye).
Maintaining low (Zone 1) impacts in recreational and commercial fisheries, while maintaining flexibility to adjust First
Nations FSC opportunities subject to in season Spring and Summer 52 abundance is
intended to reflect priority considerations in this year’s context of weak anticipated
Fraser salmon returns, but will still provide for predictable fishing opportunities for
other sectors.
Thought I should share this but please keep discussion civil.
Departmental staff is seeking feedback on this proposed approach prior to making a
decision for 2016 fisheries.
In addition, the Department is planning a broader review (e.g. the last 5 years) of our
management approach as part of the 2016 post-season review. To support this, we are
seeking feedback on key questions in support of a review of the management approach,
including an assessment of the impacts of all fisheries on Fraser River chinook using
the best available information.
If you would like to provide feedback, you are requested to provide it to your local
resource manager or
Kelly.binning@dfo-mpo.gc.ca on or before May 9, 2015.
Sincerely
Jeff Grout
Regional Resource Manager, Salmon
Author
Topic: Fraser River Spring and Summer 52 chinook - DFO proposed management approach (Read 31810 times)