BC Fisheries News Watch August 12 to August 16, 2013
Everyone awaits news on Fraser sockeye openings
By Jennifer Feinberg - Chilliwack Progress, August 08, 2013
High water temperatures in the Fraser River are always a concern when it comes to wild sockeye survival. Everyone from the commercial fleet to recreational fishers are waiting to see if the summer run is going to be big enough to sustain sockeye openings by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Sockeye returns hurting on Fraser, Skeena rivers; pink, coho, and chinook salmon surge on B.C. coast
By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun August 12, 2013
It’s shaping up to be a summer of record highs and lows when it comes to salmon returns on the B.C. coast.. Fraser River summer sockeye runs — already returning at levels almost half of those predicted — are facing a double whammy from record high water temperatures that could seriously diminish spawning success.
B.C. salmon returns both higher and lower than expected
Outdoor Canada, By Scott Gardner, August 2013
It’s shaping up to be a summer of extremes as salmon return to the B.C. coast, with some populations thriving and others struggling badly.
Fraser River low levels, high temperature a major concern -
Jeremy Maynard- Campbell River Courier Islander, Aug. 10, 2013
Regrettably, it would appear that all hope of recreational opportunity around the south coast to retain Fraser sockeye this year is now past. Last Friday came news that food fishing by First Nation’s for these fish would be ending so until these fisheries are underway once again, unlikely at best under present circumstances, the commercial and recreational sectors have no cause to be optimistic for a sockeye fishery.
Limited fishery angers natives
By Cornelia Naylor, The Chilliwack Times August 12, 2013
Tempers among local First Nations fishers flared Friday when they were told there would be no sockeye opening on their stretch of the Fraser River over the weekend and only an abbreviated 12-hour opening for Chinook.
Nass sockeye a surprise
By Anna Killen - Terrace Standard, August 14, 2013
It may be a dismal year for sockeye in the Skeena River, but the Nass River sockeye returned in higher levels than first predicted, meaning the Nisga’a were able to harvest 25,000 more sockeye than anticipated.
Fraser River Panel Curtails Test Fisheries to Reduce Sockeye Impacts
Pacific Salmon Commission, August 14, 2013
Fraser sockeye test fishing curtailed to conserve weak run
By Jeff Nagel - Surrey North Delta Leader, August 14, 2013
Lower-than-hoped returns of Fraser River sockeye and dangerously hot water temperatures upstream have prompted fishery managers to curtail test fishing in a bid to let as many salmon spawn as possible.
Fraser River sockeye test fishery scaled back
Follows closure of the commercial, sport and First Nations fisheries
CBC News, Posted: Aug 14, 2013
Sport-angling group claims natives are wasting pink salmon in favour of sockeye in Johnstone Strait
Spokesman for one fishing group says its boat is returning dead pink for use as food
By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun August 9, 2013
Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea is being asked to stop what sport anglers say is the squandering of thousands of pink salmon by the aboriginal food, social and ceremonial fishery in Johnstone Strait off northern Vancouver Island…George said that at least three boats involved in the native fishery are tossing out the majority catch of pink salmon and only keeping the more desirable sockeye salmon. .. “I have an eyewitness account of 20,000 pinks being dumped dead back into the ocean for retention of 1,000 sockeye,”
Seine fisherman defends dumping of pink salmon during aboriginal fishery in Johnstone Strait
By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun August 13, 2013
The captain of a seine boat that dumped pink salmon during an aboriginal fishery in Johnstone Strait said Tuesday he is the victim of federal policy and that he takes care not to waste salmon.
“I’ve been doing this 15 years and we’ve been very efficient and very modernized in the way we handle our fish,” said Josh Duncan, a member of the Campbell River band and captain of the 25-metre Western King. “We’ve never had issues, never had problems. Like all fisheries there is a bycatch and a mortality rate.”
Higher BC sockeye prices due to low return
News 1130, Sonia Aslam August 15, 2013
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – You can expect to pay more for salmon at the store because of this year’s low sockeye return.
Mary Ellen Walling with the BC Salmon Farmers Association explains the low run in BC is not just a local problem and it is also pushing up the price.
Majority of salmon in Fraser River expected to die before spawning: DFO
By Alina Konevski - Chilliwack Progress, August 15, 2013
A large portion of the Chilliwack recreational fishing industry has come to an abrupt halt as the government shut down the Fraser River to salmon fishing on Thursday.
Up to 70 per cent of sockeye salmon in the Fraser are expected to die before reaching spawning grounds, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
Fraser River salmon ban begins tonight
Restriction from CPR bridge at Mission to the Alexandra Bridge north of Hope
CBC News, Posted: Aug 15, 2013
Ban coming for salmon fishing on Fraser River
CTV, August 15, 2013
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is imposing a salmon fishing ban on the Fraser River beginning Thursday night...News of this year’s ban came as environmentalists began sounding the alarm about alleged improper fishing practice’s along B.C.’s coasts that may have unnecessarily killed thousands of salmon...The group has posted video online that it claims is proof of the practice. The DFO said the footage is problematic, and warrants further investigation.
Poor oversight of B.C. fishermen killing salmon: environmentalists
The Canadian Press, August 15, 2013
VANCOUVER - Thousands of salmon may be dying as a result of improper fishing practices along B.C.'s coasts, say environmentalists who claim to have video evidence of the violations.
Video proves unwanted salmon being left for dead on seiners, group alleges
Mark Hume, Vancouver — The Globe and Mail, Published Thursday, Aug. 15 2013
The commercial fishing industry has long claimed it strives to ensure salmon that can’t be legally kept are released alive and well.
But a video shot by a conservation group in British Columbia shows seine boat crews kicking salmon across decks, or waiting for fish to stop moving before picking them up and throwing them overboard. In a season where there have been widespread concerns about low numbers of some stocks, particularly sockeye and chum salmon, the video is expected to stir controversy.
'A few bad actors' shouldn't tarnish entire pink salmon fishery industry, official says
Video released by environmentalists to highlight wastage sparks controversy
Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun August 15, 2013
A video released by environmentalists to highlight wastage in the pink salmon fishery is not representative of the seine fleet and contains inaccuracies and exaggeration, a senior official with the B.C. commercial fishery industry said Thursday.
North Coast
Sockeye season called the worst in three decades
By Shaun Thomas - The Northern View, August 07, 2013
Joy Thorkelson of the United Fishermen and Allied Worker's Union (UFAWU) is pulling no punches when it comes to discussing the 2013 commercial fishing season. "I've never seen it this bad, and I've been here for 30 years," she said, adding she lost any sense of optimism for this year a month ago....Read more here
Skeena Sockeye Fishing Ban now includes First Nations
CJFW, Allison Bench August 9, 2013
..."The returns to the Skeena comprise of five year old fish, four year old fish, and three year old fish," explained Kotyk. "So last year we had very few fours and threes return to the river. So we knew that this was going to be a problem year."
Kotyk said that this year there have been large amounts of three-year old fish returning, which indicates that next year there will be also be a large amount of four year-old-fish returning.
Kotyk added that it's suspected that the low numbers are the result of ocean conditions.
"When they went out to sea, they seemed to be very strong and healthy and in good numbers, so we think something happened in the ocean," said Kotyk.
Drastically low sockeye salmon returns leads to fishing ban for Skeena River First Nations
The Province, THE CANADIAN PRESS August 12, 2013
and at:
• http://globalnews.ca/news/775464/first-ever-aboriginal-fishing-ban-on-skeena/
Skeena closure meets favourable response from First Nations
Vancouver, BC, Canada / (CKNW AM) AM980, Shane Woodford, August 13, 2013
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs is applauding the complete closure of the fishery on the Skeena river, including the historic first of closing the aboriginal fishery, and he now wants that closure expanded...Philip says the Fraser river fishery should be shut down too, as salmon stocks are teetering on the brink.
