OldBlackDog
Well-Known Member
SFAC volunteers a boon to recreational fishery
MEMBERS OF THE Area 14 SFAC (l-r): Ralph Shaw (media), Gil Gingras (Little River Enhancement Society), Ron Watanabe (Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association), Bryce Gillard (Conservation and Protection), Meghan Kohlmeyer-Hurd (Sport Fishing Institute), Gordon Gerbhart (Parksville Fish and Game), Gerry Scott (independent angler), Bryan Allen (BC Wildlife Federation), Nick Strussi (Puntledge River Restoration Society), Les Clint (Qualicum River Hatchery), Chuck Ashcroft (independent angler). Missing: Darcy Miller (Puntledge Hatchery) Davie Davies (community advisor), Les Peterson (Steelhead Society).
By Ralph Shaw - Comox Valley Record
Published: October 14, 2010 6:00 PM
On Sept. 29 I joined Area 14 committee members for the fall meeting of the Sport Fishing Advisory Committee (SFAC) at the DFO office in Comox.
I would like to extend my appreciation for all the work the members of this committee do on behalf of the recreational fishing community. It is not very visible and seldom recognized, but in the scheme of things very important to the interests of the recreational fishing sector in a federally controlled system that is biased towards the commercial harvesting of marine species.
I would like to express special appreciation to retiring chairman Gerry Scott for six years of dedicated work in the interests of Area 14 recreational fishing. Another member of the committee who is shy about being recognized is Chuck Ashcroft, who spends several months a year in the endless work of serving the recreational fishing community through his volunteer work on the main Sports Fishing Advisory Board where he chairs the ground fish-shellfish working group for the main SFAB.
We particularly wish the new chairperson the Area 14 SFAC Megan Kohlmeyer-Hurd the very best in her new challenges.
It is with sadness we report the passing of Wayne Irving, past-president of the Little River Enhancement Society, a long-standing member of the SFAC and one of the most accomplished beach anglers on the coast.
Of critical interest to the SFAC are the returns of spawners to the various Area 14 rivers, with reports as follows.
Puntledge River by Darcy Miller I received an updated Oct. 6 report from Darcy on the following species:
• Coho – 754 in river and 2,656 brood stock for a total of 3,410.
• Summer chinook – 805 in river and Comox Lake, 480 brood stock for a total of 1,285.
• Fall chinook – 1,414 in river and 1,520 brood stock for a total of 2,934.
• Chum – 170 in river, 0 brood stock for a total of 170.
• Pink – 12,800 in river.
Darcy reported large numbers of cutthroat and a new invasive species, Pumpkin Seed Sunfish, in the river.
Qualicum River Systems by Les Glint as of Sept. 29.
Big Qualicum:
• Chinook – Above the fence 1,819, below the fence 1,063, brood stock 1,983, surplus 2063. Releasing 100,000 smolts in groups of 10,000, two batches so far.
• Coho - three adults to date and 32 jacks, 80 per cent marked. Chum forecast is for only 25,000, which is an issue.
• Cutthroats – abundant in the system.
Little Qualicum:
• Chinook – 3,154 returns, 950 in the river, 1,400 brood stock, 800 for First Nations.
• Coho – most returns are wild: currently 950, smolts at 12 gm on hand.
Little River Enhancement Society Improvements: four new eight-foot round tanks installed, improvement in brood capture fence, counting fence planned for 2011, cutthroats entering the system in good numbers.
Oyster River No report.
Reports on the following were received: Area 14-11 and 14-14 fisheries in the harbour, crab fishing reform, prawn management, enforcement, herring, Species at Risk Act. The next meeting of the Area 14 SFAC will be Oct. 20 at the Courtenay and District Fish and Game clubhouse at 7 p.m.
• • •
Coming events to put on your calendar:
Puntledge River Hatchery Open House Sunday, Oct. 17 from l0 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 38 Powerhouse Rd. This is an information event for all members of the family and community. Hatchery staff will be on hand interpreting and handling spawning fish. Enhancement groups will showcase their projects and operations.
Gun Show at the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association clubhouse on Comox Lake on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Buy, sell and trade – this is a family event with breakfast and lunch available
Make it a family day and take in both events.
MEMBERS OF THE Area 14 SFAC (l-r): Ralph Shaw (media), Gil Gingras (Little River Enhancement Society), Ron Watanabe (Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association), Bryce Gillard (Conservation and Protection), Meghan Kohlmeyer-Hurd (Sport Fishing Institute), Gordon Gerbhart (Parksville Fish and Game), Gerry Scott (independent angler), Bryan Allen (BC Wildlife Federation), Nick Strussi (Puntledge River Restoration Society), Les Clint (Qualicum River Hatchery), Chuck Ashcroft (independent angler). Missing: Darcy Miller (Puntledge Hatchery) Davie Davies (community advisor), Les Peterson (Steelhead Society).
By Ralph Shaw - Comox Valley Record
Published: October 14, 2010 6:00 PM
On Sept. 29 I joined Area 14 committee members for the fall meeting of the Sport Fishing Advisory Committee (SFAC) at the DFO office in Comox.
I would like to extend my appreciation for all the work the members of this committee do on behalf of the recreational fishing community. It is not very visible and seldom recognized, but in the scheme of things very important to the interests of the recreational fishing sector in a federally controlled system that is biased towards the commercial harvesting of marine species.
I would like to express special appreciation to retiring chairman Gerry Scott for six years of dedicated work in the interests of Area 14 recreational fishing. Another member of the committee who is shy about being recognized is Chuck Ashcroft, who spends several months a year in the endless work of serving the recreational fishing community through his volunteer work on the main Sports Fishing Advisory Board where he chairs the ground fish-shellfish working group for the main SFAB.
We particularly wish the new chairperson the Area 14 SFAC Megan Kohlmeyer-Hurd the very best in her new challenges.
It is with sadness we report the passing of Wayne Irving, past-president of the Little River Enhancement Society, a long-standing member of the SFAC and one of the most accomplished beach anglers on the coast.
Of critical interest to the SFAC are the returns of spawners to the various Area 14 rivers, with reports as follows.
Puntledge River by Darcy Miller I received an updated Oct. 6 report from Darcy on the following species:
• Coho – 754 in river and 2,656 brood stock for a total of 3,410.
• Summer chinook – 805 in river and Comox Lake, 480 brood stock for a total of 1,285.
• Fall chinook – 1,414 in river and 1,520 brood stock for a total of 2,934.
• Chum – 170 in river, 0 brood stock for a total of 170.
• Pink – 12,800 in river.
Darcy reported large numbers of cutthroat and a new invasive species, Pumpkin Seed Sunfish, in the river.
Qualicum River Systems by Les Glint as of Sept. 29.
Big Qualicum:
• Chinook – Above the fence 1,819, below the fence 1,063, brood stock 1,983, surplus 2063. Releasing 100,000 smolts in groups of 10,000, two batches so far.
• Coho - three adults to date and 32 jacks, 80 per cent marked. Chum forecast is for only 25,000, which is an issue.
• Cutthroats – abundant in the system.
Little Qualicum:
• Chinook – 3,154 returns, 950 in the river, 1,400 brood stock, 800 for First Nations.
• Coho – most returns are wild: currently 950, smolts at 12 gm on hand.
Little River Enhancement Society Improvements: four new eight-foot round tanks installed, improvement in brood capture fence, counting fence planned for 2011, cutthroats entering the system in good numbers.
Oyster River No report.
Reports on the following were received: Area 14-11 and 14-14 fisheries in the harbour, crab fishing reform, prawn management, enforcement, herring, Species at Risk Act. The next meeting of the Area 14 SFAC will be Oct. 20 at the Courtenay and District Fish and Game clubhouse at 7 p.m.
• • •
Coming events to put on your calendar:
Puntledge River Hatchery Open House Sunday, Oct. 17 from l0 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 38 Powerhouse Rd. This is an information event for all members of the family and community. Hatchery staff will be on hand interpreting and handling spawning fish. Enhancement groups will showcase their projects and operations.
Gun Show at the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association clubhouse on Comox Lake on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Buy, sell and trade – this is a family event with breakfast and lunch available
Make it a family day and take in both events.
