DFO could close chinook fishing for several months (March 1 to June 30) this spring around the south Vancouver Island approach waters of the Fraser River. This could impact anglers from Cowichan, Southern Gulf Islands, Sidney, Oak Bay, Victoria, Pedder Bay, Cheanah round to Sooke at Sheringham Pt.
Some of the wild Early Timed Fraser, Early Summer Fraser and Summer Fraser Chinook weak stocks that pass us by each spring do need rebuilding. Returns have been dropping for several years. Conservation is the key here</u> to sustainability of these weak stocks. Without question the FN Food, Ceremonial and Social Fishery on the Fraser has priority over all groups but only after conservation has been met. So commercial and recreational anglers WILL bear the brunt of any conservation management measures regardless.
DFO have suggested special catch reporting is vital if our public fishery is to remain open to chinook during that time. Without it being in place this year and for the next few years the chinook fishery may well close. A proactive move by us, the local angling community, to broaden the reporting of our catch during the times where those weak stocks migrate through would be a very defensible position to take to DFO. However, as part of proposed special catch reporting requirements, there is a need for about 30 anglers (charters and joe tin boaters) who actively fish during that time and in those waters to voluntarily report catch in detail on each trip via a written logbook program.
So I ask ...Do you all want to stay on the water fishing for chinook this spring?
If so ... How many of YOU would be willing to participate in a carefully managed logbook reporting program?
This is not a nasty joke, it's real folks so we need to work proactively and cooperatively as an angling community to maintain our chinook opportunity. </u>
Please respond and help make this a good news topic
God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling - Izaak Walton
Some of the wild Early Timed Fraser, Early Summer Fraser and Summer Fraser Chinook weak stocks that pass us by each spring do need rebuilding. Returns have been dropping for several years. Conservation is the key here</u> to sustainability of these weak stocks. Without question the FN Food, Ceremonial and Social Fishery on the Fraser has priority over all groups but only after conservation has been met. So commercial and recreational anglers WILL bear the brunt of any conservation management measures regardless.
DFO have suggested special catch reporting is vital if our public fishery is to remain open to chinook during that time. Without it being in place this year and for the next few years the chinook fishery may well close. A proactive move by us, the local angling community, to broaden the reporting of our catch during the times where those weak stocks migrate through would be a very defensible position to take to DFO. However, as part of proposed special catch reporting requirements, there is a need for about 30 anglers (charters and joe tin boaters) who actively fish during that time and in those waters to voluntarily report catch in detail on each trip via a written logbook program.
So I ask ...Do you all want to stay on the water fishing for chinook this spring?
If so ... How many of YOU would be willing to participate in a carefully managed logbook reporting program?
This is not a nasty joke, it's real folks so we need to work proactively and cooperatively as an angling community to maintain our chinook opportunity. </u>
Please respond and help make this a good news topic
God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling - Izaak Walton
