Urgent Need to Send Ltr. Re DFO Fraser Chinook Plans

Whole in the Water

Well-Known Member
Copied directly from the latest SFI-BC newsletter. With many of us unfortunately forced to work less, or from home there is no excuse not to send a letter in. The more pushback we have the less they feel they can shut us down now and into the future. The future of our public fishery is at stake so please send a letter!

Newsletter link is here: https://mailchi.mp/a905e3597726/april9-sfabchinookmanagementproposal?e=95217174e9

FRASER RIVER CHINOOK STOCKS OF CONCERN – THE PUBLIC FISHERY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
On March 2nd, DFO provided a letter detailing an approach to developing a 2020 fishery management plan for Fraser River stocks of concern. On April 9th, the SFAB, the body responsible for proposing fishery management plans on behalf of the public fishery, submitted this proposal and response to that letter.

There is no doubt that the future of the South Coast public Chinook fishery in BC will be dependent on the DFO response to the proposals put forward today by the SFAB. Recovery of Chinook stocks of concern is not a short-term proposition. Without broader application of Mark Selective Fisheries (MSF) and the acceptance of additional data supported fisheries, the future for the public fishery is in peril. The public fishery needs stability and certainty. Without either one, anglers and businesses will continue to suffer.

SEND A LETTER - MAKE THE POINT
The public fishery needs your help to send a loud and clear message to DFO and the Minister. Please read over the proposals and send in a letter or email to Minister Jordan and the DFO Pacific Salmon Team to express your support. It is important that letters are written in your own words, even a paragraph is good. Outline your experience with non-retention, the importance of opportunity and access to sustainable fisheries, and provide your support for the proposals put forward by the SFAB. Note: the SFI is CC'd in the above e-mail links. We will collect all responses.

Make no mistake, the threats to Fraser River Chinook are real, and the implementation of broader recovery plans that include hatchery augmentation, habitat preservation and rehabilitation, and predator control are required. The proposals put forward by the SFAB achieve the critically important balance between protecting stocks of concern and sustaining a public fishery. The SFI will play a key role in developing comprehensive recovery plans for these stocks. In the meantime, responsible, sustainable fisheries are required in order to maintain a public Chinook fishery.

As the Prime Minister stated in his mandate letter to Minister Bernadette Jordan:
“As Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, you will lead the Government’s work to protect and promote our three oceans and our waterways, sustain and rebuild the fisheries, and ensure that they remain healthy for future generations, while providing important economic opportunities to Canadians and coastal communities.”

As participants in the most socially and economically significant fishery in BC, let’s work together to remind DFO that fisheries are important to British Columbians.
 
Couldn't agree more, now is your opportunity as individual anglers to provide your input. The SFAB proposal is well worth a close read. A lot of effort and analysis went into crafting the response - please read and take the time to write your response letter.
 
I may get some slack for this post but quite honestly, I don't care. It's my honest opinion. We did the EXACT same thing last year.. and it DID NOT work... The folks who represented our interests worked hard last year and I can tell they are working their asses off this year... But we got NOTHING that was asked...

Last year, I wrote many letters, called DFO and left voicemail messages and sent personal letters to a number of DFO and gov officials... and so did many of you... We were given the false hope that DFO wants our opinion and advice on the future direction of the chinook fishery.. It made it sound like we had a say in the process and we were all hoping that even if they didn't give us all that we asked for, the evidence that was presented surely would give us some leverage and negotiating power. But NOTHING... NADA...

So I ask everyone here... why are we continuing to send letters when we know for a fact(since we went through this same sham 12 months ago and got screwed over) that it didn't and wont' work? Comes on guys, let's wake up and smell the coffee. The decision is likely already made. Our only option is to make a lot of noise and tell them where to go so that they end up changing what's already penciled in before they publicly announce it at the end of June. We need a different approach in addition to letters. Perhaps a social media campaign? I don't know.. What I do know is letters alone is not enough and will do squat for us.
 
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The problem with their approach is that just because we go out and fish we will get our retention. How many times have you gone out and been skunked so only a fraction of the recreational fishers have the experience and luck to actually get something. Also 9/10 last season the springs were too big so its frustrating especially if it would be memorable outing with friends getting a beauty fish. Why cant they allow 1 chinook per day and say 90cm size limit. Yes hatchery fish makes sense at least something to show they are looking out for recreational anglers. Im assuming we are shut down because they closed some commercial fishing as well?
 
Copied directly from the latest SFI-BC newsletter. With many of us unfortunately forced to work less, or from home there is no excuse not to send a letter in. The more pushback we have the less they feel they can shut us down now and into the future. The future of our public fishery is at stake so please send a letter!

Newsletter link is here: https://mailchi.mp/a905e3597726/april9-sfabchinookmanagementproposal?e=95217174e9

FRASER RIVER CHINOOK STOCKS OF CONCERN – THE PUBLIC FISHERY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
On March 2nd, DFO provided a letter detailing an approach to developing a 2020 fishery management plan for Fraser River stocks of concern. On April 9th, the SFAB, the body responsible for proposing fishery management plans on behalf of the public fishery, submitted this proposal and response to that letter.

There is no doubt that the future of the South Coast public Chinook fishery in BC will be dependent on the DFO response to the proposals put forward today by the SFAB. Recovery of Chinook stocks of concern is not a short-term proposition. Without broader application of Mark Selective Fisheries (MSF) and the acceptance of additional data supported fisheries, the future for the public fishery is in peril. The public fishery needs stability and certainty. Without either one, anglers and businesses will continue to suffer.

SEND A LETTER - MAKE THE POINT
The public fishery needs your help to send a loud and clear message to DFO and the Minister. Please read over the proposals and send in a letter or email to Minister Jordan and the DFO Pacific Salmon Team to express your support. It is important that letters are written in your own words, even a paragraph is good. Outline your experience with non-retention, the importance of opportunity and access to sustainable fisheries, and provide your support for the proposals put forward by the SFAB. Note: the SFI is CC'd in the above e-mail links. We will collect all responses.

Make no mistake, the threats to Fraser River Chinook are real, and the implementation of broader recovery plans that include hatchery augmentation, habitat preservation and rehabilitation, and predator control are required. The proposals put forward by the SFAB achieve the critically important balance between protecting stocks of concern and sustaining a public fishery. The SFI will play a key role in developing comprehensive recovery plans for these stocks. In the meantime, responsible, sustainable fisheries are required in order to maintain a public Chinook fishery.

As the Prime Minister stated in his mandate letter to Minister Bernadette Jordan:
“As Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, you will lead the Government’s work to protect and promote our three oceans and our waterways, sustain and rebuild the fisheries, and ensure that they remain healthy for future generations, while providing important economic opportunities to Canadians and coastal communities.”

As participants in the most socially and economically significant fishery in BC, let’s work together to remind DFO that fisheries are important to British Columbians.

Thanks for posting. Is Chris sending out though the SVIAC pages, and social media? If I he put in social media we can all spread it around in addition to SFI pages etc.

All guides and lodges on here should post these up on there web and instagram pages.
 
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I don’t know about anyone else but I’m beginning to find sending the letters to DFO as therapeutic. When I need someone to vent on for foolish political decision making, they provide me with endless opportunity. I’d be hard pressed to ever find a Departmental replacement for them within the government if they were ever declared redundant. For anyone who dislikes Federal bureaucracy that makes local decisions from the banks of the Rideau, DFO is the gift that keeps on giving. Lol.

This isn’t a shot at their troops in the field. I’m sure they are just as gobsmacked as the rest of us by managements decisions. I actually feel sorry for them.
 
The problem with their approach is that just because we go out and fish we will get our retention. How many times have you gone out and been skunked so only a fraction of the recreational fishers have the experience and luck to actually get something. Also 9/10 last season the springs were too big so its frustrating especially if it would be memorable outing with friends getting a beauty fish. Why cant they allow 1 chinook per day and say 90cm size limit. Yes hatchery fish makes sense at least something to show they are looking out for recreational anglers. Im assuming we are shut down because they closed some commercial fishing as well?

Does anyone know how DFO turns the data they collect to measure effort (creel surveys, flyovers, etc.) into catch estimates? Is there a formula? Has DFO ever published their full methodology?

Data collected is what it is (before getting into statistical significance, etc.). But how that data is interpreted / applied to come up with estimates is completely dependent on the assumptions used.

With a somewhat limited data set (which we are dealing with), I would be more interested seeing underlying assumptions to come up with the estimates.

With limited data, the error range is going to be large and my guess is that DFO applies some very conservative factors to determine the rec catch numbers.

More data the better....as others have said many times.
 
I don't think its about data, I know they have data and fully understand clipped, non clipped, retention and C&R. I was in many meetings where it was very obvious where they stand. Data is ignored as are we. As others have stated THEY DONT CARE. WE DONT MATTER. Doing the same annually means we will not learn or win this. Regs are already made, only thing up for possible change is closure of all salmon fishing in June. Where was our elected officials last year when our whole industry and towns were made dormant? Still Feds ignored. Sunny Ways.

Round and round we go till extinction.

HM
 
I am out as well until someone has a new plan. Thanks to our rec reps but it's time for a new approach. If you can't think of one, step down and let others try.
 
I like the plan & the data seems sound. However there MAY be provisions in the 2019 Pacific Salmon Treaty that affect the plan:

from page 56:
  1. With respect to ISBM fisheries, the Parties agree that for the Chapter Period:
    1. (a) U.S. and Canadian ISBM fisheries shall be managed to limit the total adult

      equivalent mortality for stocks listed in Attachment I that are not meeting agreed biologically-based management objectives, or that do not have agreed management objectives, to no more than the limits identified in Attachment I;

    2. (b) the Commission shall establish a work group to explore issues related to Okanagan Chinook, including the establishment of management objectives, enhancement and the possible use of Okanagan Chinook as an indicator stock14. The work group shall report to the Commission by October 2019;

    3. (c) either or both Parties may implement domestic policies that constrain their respective fishery impacts on depressed Chinook stocks to a greater extent than is required by this paragraph;

    4. (d) actual ISBM fishery performance relative to the obligations set out in this paragraph shall be evaluated by the CTC and reported annually to the Commission. Because the performance analysis15 is dependent on recovery of CWT, the CTC shall provide the evaluation for ISBM fisheries on a post-season basis; and

    5. (e) the Commission shall use the Calendar Year Exploitation Rate (CYER) metric to monitor the total mortality in ISBM fisheries and shall review the CYER metric during the year 2022 to make a decision on its continued application or the use of an alternative metric. In the absence of a Commission decision to use an alternative metric, the use of the CYER metric continues. Before the review, the CTC shall complete the development of the Data Generation Model, complete the evaluation of alternative metrics for the evaluation of ISBM fisheries and develop data standards for the application of CYER as a metric.
From page 55:

(g) that MSF are conducted subject to the following conditions or understandings, as applicable:

  1. (i) MSFs for Chinook shall be conducted in a manner that selectively reduces fishery impacts on natural spawning salmon relative to hatchery-origin salmon,

  2. (ii) annual post-season reports generated by each Party shall contain a summary of the MSFs implemented in that season,

  3. (iii) MSFs implemented by either Party that affect stocks subject to this Treaty shall be sampled, monitored, and reported in accordance with the applicable protocols reviewed by the SFEC and adopted by the Commission; including estimates of catches and releases of mass-marked and unmarked Chinook for sublegal and legal-size categories,

  4. (iv) SFEC shall report on MSF, assist with developing analytical procedures, and recommend to the Commission approaches that could improve the estimation of impacts on natural Chinook stocks, and

  5. (v) subject to the availability of funds, the U.S. shall establish a Mark Selective Fishery Fund (Fund). The Fund shall be administered by the Commission to assist fishery management agencies with equipment and operations, as needed, to mass-mark hatchery produced Chinook salmon, to estimate incidental mortality, and to maintain and improve the ability to estimate exploitation rates on Chinook salmon indicator stocks that are encountered in MSF, including improvements and development of bilateral analytical tools. The Commission shall adopt procedures to solicit proposals from U.S. and Canadian management entities for the use of the Fund, be advised on the merits of proposals by specialists as it determines appropriate, and make funding decisions.
Link to download entire treaty:
https://www.psc.org/publications/pacific-salmon-treaty/

Click the blue rectangle to download in PDF format
 
Think one issue is, as you’ll see in the SFaB proposal, sfab puts forward a compromise proposal (still think area 12/13 should have retention everywhere) whereas others groups don’t throw out any compromises and therefore get more of what they want. Negotiating 101 really.
 
Thanks for posting. Is Chris sending out though the SVIAC pages, and social media? If I he put in social media we can all spread it around in addition to SFI pages etc.

All guides and lodges on here should post these up on there web and instagram pages.

It would be more impactful and get more public support if we could get real life testimonials on how last year's measures impacted businesses, jobs, and people's livihoods rather than coming from a rec angler who lost their opportunity to fish. How can someone not agree with the fact that nonretention during the best fishing months of April-Aug didn't affect many businesses and jobs all along our coastline... Social media blast telling stories of how these measures affects our coastal economies despite the fact that the measures had no scientific backing..
 
Think one issue is, as you’ll see in the SFaB proposal, sfab puts forward a compromise proposal (still think area 12/13 should have retention everywhere) whereas others groups don’t throw out any compromises and therefore get more of what they want. Negotiating 101 really.

Serengentiguide, I agree with you about what you said. However, did we really hold a position to negotiate in the first place? If we do, then shouldn't we have at least got something last year like keeping a hatchery etc...? There is no negotiating for our sector. The writing is already on the wall. It's just an exercise and formality to make it seem like we had a shot when there was no bullet in the chamber for us to fire.

They anticipate our reaction will be the same as last year.... See a log... Walk towards log... Pull down pants... Bend over log... Close eyes...

DFO is like a bully pushing a defenseless kid around.. A kid who don't challenge them...it will keep happening until we stand up for oursleves.
 
It would be more impactful and get more public support if we could get real life testimonials on how last year's measures impacted businesses, jobs, and people's livihoods rather than coming from a rec angler who lost their opportunity to fish. How can someone not agree with the fact that nonretention during the best fishing months of April-Aug didn't affect many businesses and jobs all along our coastline... Social media blast telling stories of how these measures affects our coastal economies despite the fact that the measures had no scientific backing..

The fopo committee already passed a motion to do just that. Sadly do to covid all committees have been suspended from what I’ve been able to tell.
 
Anybody know a marketing rep ,social media influencers who could give the Rec fishers some pointers to expose our side of the story??
 
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