As you can read by the release of DFO's management measures for Victoria area (19 and 20) Chinook fishing in June and July, yet further evidence the health and social importance of our fishery on South Vancouver Island appears to carry little or no importance in their decision making. As your SFAB rep I was informed early in the new year the regulations for 2013 Southern BC Chinook would be the same as in 2012. However, as you can see below we now learn that DFO will NOT manage Victoria the same as 2012. These additional restrictions will be devasting to our fishery. While DFO's 1-2-3 zonal management approach remains constant, they have made significant changes to Fraser Chinook escapement requirements and benchmark increases to the Albion Test fishery.
Please know that ALL your SFAB representatives have made it perfectly clear to DFO that the measures for 2013 are unacceptable. We are not against conservation by any means, because the Chinook restrictions introduced in 2011 met or exceeded the fishing impact reduction targets DFO were seeking. We reduced our minimal impact by greater than 50%. The SFAB Main Board passed a clear motion last year to DFO that no further measures should be introduced.
It is my opinion that Victoria Chinook anglers are being unfairly punished. There is no formal Chinook stock-of-concern recovery or enhancement program in place. DFO don't even have a CWT stock to properly manage Fraser 4-2s. This is a terrible shame for your important Chinook fishery and all the individuals and businesses who provide services to the angling community. And further it impacts the environment, the Southern Resident Killer Whales, the First Nations FSC fisheries and the commercial fishery who rely on Chinook.
If you are as disappointed as I am by this announcement, I strongly recommend you do everything possible to influence politicians and organize as an angling community. As I see it the SFAB advice on Fraser Chinook is for all intense and purpose being ignored.
Gov
Category(s): RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans CanadaSubject: FN0156-RECREATIONAL - Salmon: Fraser River Chinook - Areas 19 and 20 - Update to Recreational Fishery Management Actions (Fishery Notice 0059)
This notice is an amendment to FN 0059 – the current regulations remain in effect however, the end date has been adjusted to avoid changes during the weekend.
Management actions that will be in place beginning on June 15, 2013 are also included.Effective now through to 23:59 hours June 14, 2013 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Point to Sheringham Point), the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be wild or hatchery marked between 45 cm and 67 cm or hatchery marked greater than 67 cm in length.
Management measures as noted below are intended to protect Fraser River Spring 4-2 and Fraser River Spring and Summer 5-2 Chinook stocks of concern.
Effective June 15 to July 19, 2013: Effective 00:01 hours June 15, 2013 until 23:59 hours July 19, 2013 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Point to Sheringham Point), the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be wild or hatchery marked less than 85 cm or hatchery marked greater than 85 cm in length.
The Department will monitor returns of Fraser River Spring and Summer 5-2 chinook to the Fraser River using the Albion test fishery and updates will take place beginning late May with a final update on June 17, 2013.
In the event that Fraser River Spring and Summer 5-2 chinook returns are greater than expected, a fishery notice announcing alternative management measures will be released.For further details on the management measures to protect and conserve Fraser River Spring 4-2, Spring and Summer 5-2 Chinook stocks of concern please refer to Appendix 6 of the 2012/13 Southern BC Salmon Integrated Fishery Management Plan.Variation Order Number: 2013-102
Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.
Anglers are requested to release any hatchery marked sockeye. These fish are hatchery raised sockeye and part of a recovery program designed to increase the numbers of Cultus Lake sockeye.
The term "hatchery marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.
Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program at (866) 483-9994 for further information.
Rockfish Conservation Areas are currently in effect and are closed to all fin fishing. Descriptions of these closures, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at:www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line at (800) 465-4336.For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-(866)431-FISH (3474).
For more information contact Brad Beaith (250) 756-7190.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0156
Sent March 13, 2013 at 09:00
Please know that ALL your SFAB representatives have made it perfectly clear to DFO that the measures for 2013 are unacceptable. We are not against conservation by any means, because the Chinook restrictions introduced in 2011 met or exceeded the fishing impact reduction targets DFO were seeking. We reduced our minimal impact by greater than 50%. The SFAB Main Board passed a clear motion last year to DFO that no further measures should be introduced.
It is my opinion that Victoria Chinook anglers are being unfairly punished. There is no formal Chinook stock-of-concern recovery or enhancement program in place. DFO don't even have a CWT stock to properly manage Fraser 4-2s. This is a terrible shame for your important Chinook fishery and all the individuals and businesses who provide services to the angling community. And further it impacts the environment, the Southern Resident Killer Whales, the First Nations FSC fisheries and the commercial fishery who rely on Chinook.
If you are as disappointed as I am by this announcement, I strongly recommend you do everything possible to influence politicians and organize as an angling community. As I see it the SFAB advice on Fraser Chinook is for all intense and purpose being ignored.
Gov
Category(s): RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans CanadaSubject: FN0156-RECREATIONAL - Salmon: Fraser River Chinook - Areas 19 and 20 - Update to Recreational Fishery Management Actions (Fishery Notice 0059)
This notice is an amendment to FN 0059 – the current regulations remain in effect however, the end date has been adjusted to avoid changes during the weekend.
Management actions that will be in place beginning on June 15, 2013 are also included.Effective now through to 23:59 hours June 14, 2013 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Point to Sheringham Point), the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be wild or hatchery marked between 45 cm and 67 cm or hatchery marked greater than 67 cm in length.
Management measures as noted below are intended to protect Fraser River Spring 4-2 and Fraser River Spring and Summer 5-2 Chinook stocks of concern.
Effective June 15 to July 19, 2013: Effective 00:01 hours June 15, 2013 until 23:59 hours July 19, 2013 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Point to Sheringham Point), the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be wild or hatchery marked less than 85 cm or hatchery marked greater than 85 cm in length.
The Department will monitor returns of Fraser River Spring and Summer 5-2 chinook to the Fraser River using the Albion test fishery and updates will take place beginning late May with a final update on June 17, 2013.
In the event that Fraser River Spring and Summer 5-2 chinook returns are greater than expected, a fishery notice announcing alternative management measures will be released.For further details on the management measures to protect and conserve Fraser River Spring 4-2, Spring and Summer 5-2 Chinook stocks of concern please refer to Appendix 6 of the 2012/13 Southern BC Salmon Integrated Fishery Management Plan.Variation Order Number: 2013-102
Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.
Anglers are requested to release any hatchery marked sockeye. These fish are hatchery raised sockeye and part of a recovery program designed to increase the numbers of Cultus Lake sockeye.
The term "hatchery marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.
Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program at (866) 483-9994 for further information.
Rockfish Conservation Areas are currently in effect and are closed to all fin fishing. Descriptions of these closures, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at:www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line at (800) 465-4336.For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-(866)431-FISH (3474).
For more information contact Brad Beaith (250) 756-7190.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0156
Sent March 13, 2013 at 09:00
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