Possible Chinook Closure Northern BC
- Thread starter jwood99
- Start date
fishin solo
Crew Member
advTHXance
Well-Known Member
Terrin seems to be of the opinion that ocean-based fish farms are a part of the problem, and I would absolutely agree. Are you saying fish farms arent a threat?
This thread is making my head spin.
This thread is making my head spin.
wildmanyeah
Crew Member
To Nass and Skeena stocks? Yeah I think it’s a pretty big stretch
Fraser river stocks or other stocks that migrate threw the Brighton archipelago that’s a different story.
I also think it’s extremely reckless to portray the image that if fish farms are gone that salmon will suddenly have some miracle recovery.
With all the issues out their it’s not the one I’d put my money behind. Also the groups that are going after fish farms are so against us on some many other more pressing issues like seal culls, wanting total fishing closures for SRKW ect
Blaming BC fish farms for poor salmon returns from California to southern Alaska is over the top.
pescador
Well-Known Member
This is really becoming a bit like Groundhog Day. Pretty sure I have mentioned this once or twice that there are already enough threads started to discuss the many potential causes of the demise of Chinook Salmon. So, yet again, let's stop derailing every thread with the same statements that have been beat to death and stay on topic.
searun
Well-Known Member
Yes indeed, GHD redux.
Back on topic, while the early indications are that a serious conservation concern may exist, we still don't have the full stock assessment. The news reporter (as they often do) wanted to sniff around for a sensational story that would have legs.
Let's wait and see what stock assessment shapes up to look like...and also bear in mind the assessment is only an educated forecast. We've seen forecasts that are off by 100% many years before. Example being the forecast for the Stamp River last year was something like (don't quote my memory) 30,000 fish under the actual run.
WCVI Chinook forecast appears to be changing UP. Early troll DNA is suggesting much stronger ocean survival for these fish. Let's hope the Northern guys fair better than forecast.
Back on topic, while the early indications are that a serious conservation concern may exist, we still don't have the full stock assessment. The news reporter (as they often do) wanted to sniff around for a sensational story that would have legs.
Let's wait and see what stock assessment shapes up to look like...and also bear in mind the assessment is only an educated forecast. We've seen forecasts that are off by 100% many years before. Example being the forecast for the Stamp River last year was something like (don't quote my memory) 30,000 fish under the actual run.
WCVI Chinook forecast appears to be changing UP. Early troll DNA is suggesting much stronger ocean survival for these fish. Let's hope the Northern guys fair better than forecast.
OldBlackDog
Well-Known Member
DFO voices concern about 2018 salmon runs on B.C.'s North Coast
Official says fallout from the warm-water Pacific 'blob' years ago is still impacting ecosystems
Young salmon in the Skeena River estuary. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is developing management plans for Northern B.C. fisheries which an official said could have "uncertain" fishing opportunities. (Tavish Campbell)
As salmon fisheries get set to open on B.C.'s North Coast in the next few months, anxiety in the region is high.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is preparing 2018 management plans for the various fisheries in the region.
That includes major salmon-bearing rivers in B.C. like the Skeena and Nass, which are important for First Nations, subsistence fishers and tourism.
But one DFO official says the department is already anticipating below average runs and closures or restrictions on catch limits are possible.
"Fishing opportunities are uncertain," said Pacific director of salmon management Jennifer Nener.
"We've really seen a coast-wide trend, specifically with chinook … with reduced returns, lower productively levels.
"We're quite concerned. We're not sure exactly how it's going to play out."
The two salmon species of concern, Nener said, are chinook and sockeye.
She says fewer fish are returning to spawn and they are coming back in reduced size, which could mean fewer eggs and fewer fish in the next generation.
Full closure not likely
Nener says the suspected culprit behind the poor runs is the Pacific Ocean "blob," a mass of warm water that has lingered for years and disrupted marine ecosystems.
It hurt salmon, she said, by disrupting cold-water organisms like zooplankton that they feed on. She says it could still take several years for salmon to recover from the blob's effects.
Giving the example of Skeena River sockeye, Nener says current estimates call for about 640,000 fish to return to spawn. Anything under 600,000 would cause the department to close the fishery.
But, she stressed, estimates are not always correct, so the department is taking a "precautionary" approach. A total closure of salmon fishing on the North Coast is "pretty hard to imagine," she said.
'There'd be a lot of boats for sale'
Still, according to a sport fisher who is advising DFO on their management plan, the threat of any significant closures is serious.
Dave Lewis with the Prince Rupert Sport Fishing Advisory Board says closures could threaten the local tourism economy, which relies on charter fishing for direct and spin-off jobs.
"People have a lot of concern up here and not knowing is not helping things," he said. "There's a lot of uncertainty for the ocean. There's definitely talk of cuts. How drastic, we'll see."
Avoiding all-out closures is the goal, he said, as are any sudden closures that could impact advance bookings from tourists who flock to the region to catch chinook.
"If fishing's closed, they wouldn't be coming," he said.
"There'd be a lot of boats for sale because people can't pay the bills if they're not working."
Nener says consultation on the management plan will wrap up in early April and the plan for the North Coast should be ready in early June.
With files from George Baker
Official says fallout from the warm-water Pacific 'blob' years ago is still impacting ecosystems
Young salmon in the Skeena River estuary. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is developing management plans for Northern B.C. fisheries which an official said could have "uncertain" fishing opportunities. (Tavish Campbell)
As salmon fisheries get set to open on B.C.'s North Coast in the next few months, anxiety in the region is high.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is preparing 2018 management plans for the various fisheries in the region.
That includes major salmon-bearing rivers in B.C. like the Skeena and Nass, which are important for First Nations, subsistence fishers and tourism.
But one DFO official says the department is already anticipating below average runs and closures or restrictions on catch limits are possible.
"Fishing opportunities are uncertain," said Pacific director of salmon management Jennifer Nener.
"We've really seen a coast-wide trend, specifically with chinook … with reduced returns, lower productively levels.
"We're quite concerned. We're not sure exactly how it's going to play out."
The two salmon species of concern, Nener said, are chinook and sockeye.
She says fewer fish are returning to spawn and they are coming back in reduced size, which could mean fewer eggs and fewer fish in the next generation.
Full closure not likely
Nener says the suspected culprit behind the poor runs is the Pacific Ocean "blob," a mass of warm water that has lingered for years and disrupted marine ecosystems.
It hurt salmon, she said, by disrupting cold-water organisms like zooplankton that they feed on. She says it could still take several years for salmon to recover from the blob's effects.
Giving the example of Skeena River sockeye, Nener says current estimates call for about 640,000 fish to return to spawn. Anything under 600,000 would cause the department to close the fishery.
But, she stressed, estimates are not always correct, so the department is taking a "precautionary" approach. A total closure of salmon fishing on the North Coast is "pretty hard to imagine," she said.
'There'd be a lot of boats for sale'
Still, according to a sport fisher who is advising DFO on their management plan, the threat of any significant closures is serious.
Dave Lewis with the Prince Rupert Sport Fishing Advisory Board says closures could threaten the local tourism economy, which relies on charter fishing for direct and spin-off jobs.
"People have a lot of concern up here and not knowing is not helping things," he said. "There's a lot of uncertainty for the ocean. There's definitely talk of cuts. How drastic, we'll see."
Avoiding all-out closures is the goal, he said, as are any sudden closures that could impact advance bookings from tourists who flock to the region to catch chinook.
"If fishing's closed, they wouldn't be coming," he said.
"There'd be a lot of boats for sale because people can't pay the bills if they're not working."
Nener says consultation on the management plan will wrap up in early April and the plan for the North Coast should be ready in early June.
With files from George Baker
littlechucky
Crew Member
500 tonnes per year of krill harvested per year from the SoG and surrounding inlets.
Has to have an impact on the food web.
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/commercial/shellfish-mollusques/krill/index-eng.html
Has to have an impact on the food web.
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/commercial/shellfish-mollusques/krill/index-eng.html
wildmanyeah
Crew Member
An average-sized humpback whale will eat 4,400-5,500 pounds (2000-2500 kg) of plankton, krill and small, schooling fish each day during the feeding season in cold waters (about 120 days). They eat twice a day.
Though the North Pacific population was previously estimated between 6,000 to 8,000, a recent population estimate based on 2004-2006 data was slightly over 18,000 individuals. Despite this dramatic increase, current numbers are considerably smaller than pre-whaling population estimates.
That 500 Tonnes of Krill will feed a **** load of sockeye but would barley feed a few humpback whales for 1 season.
So again if our focus is increasing whale populations then we pretty much have to stop all bait fishing.
Whales sneak into shallow water to eat salmon from hatcheries
https://www.newscientist.com/articl...-shallow-water-to-eat-salmon-from-hatcheries/
Though the North Pacific population was previously estimated between 6,000 to 8,000, a recent population estimate based on 2004-2006 data was slightly over 18,000 individuals. Despite this dramatic increase, current numbers are considerably smaller than pre-whaling population estimates.
That 500 Tonnes of Krill will feed a **** load of sockeye but would barley feed a few humpback whales for 1 season.
So again if our focus is increasing whale populations then we pretty much have to stop all bait fishing.
Whales sneak into shallow water to eat salmon from hatcheries
https://www.newscientist.com/articl...-shallow-water-to-eat-salmon-from-hatcheries/
Last edited:
WEB POLL: Will a sockeye and chinook fishing closure affect you?
Send us your Letter to the Editor on how a possible salmon closure would affect you in 2018
Mar. 15, 2018
https://www.thenorthernview.com/web...ckeye-and-chinook-fishing-closure-affect-you/
Send us your Letter to the Editor on how a possible salmon closure would affect you in 2018
Mar. 15, 2018
https://www.thenorthernview.com/web...ckeye-and-chinook-fishing-closure-affect-you/
tincan
Well-Known Member
Are you implying that there is no way fish farms could be having an impact on salmon that aren't within very close proximity? You do realize that both salmon and pathogens can move right?
wildmanyeah
Crew Member
Tincan, take the argument to one of the many fish farm threads, In sure dave and other would be happy to debate their. The admin has already reminded us twice in this thread to stay on topic!
DFO Comtemplating Full Fishing Shutdown
Marek Tkach
3/15/2018
http://www.cftktv.com/News/story.aspx?ID=2190423
Marek Tkach
3/15/2018
http://www.cftktv.com/News/story.aspx?ID=2190423
wildmanyeah
Crew Member
https://www.terracestandard.com/news/cullen-demands-better-leadership-over-salmon-crisis/
Cullen demands better leadership over salmon crisis
Cullen demands better leadership over salmon crisis
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