2003 Salmon Season Wrap-up

January 5, 2004

---

VANCOUVER - The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), today released a wrap-up of the Pacific Region’s 2003 salmon fishing season.

“All sectors had opportunities to fish for salmon this year using a flexible and innovative approach to in-season salmon management,” said Minister Regan.  “Many key salmon stocks are abundant or increasing due to precautionary management and improving ocean survival conditions, however a few stocks remain a conservation concern.”

Fisheries for the various salmon species were available for the full spectrum of users (see backgrounder for details).  First Nations fisheries were able to meet most food, social and ceremonial needs. Recreational anglers along the coast enjoyed a good year with increased fishing opportunities for coho in B.C.’s southern waters. Commercial harvesters had fishing opportunities throughout the coast, with the opportunity for very good catches of pink salmon in north and central coast areas. As expected pre-season, the early arrival of Late run Fraser River sockeye and conservation measures needed to protect this return, reduced sockeye and pink fishing opportunities in the south.

In general, North Coast chinook, Nass River sockeye, and pink returns were good, with most coho stocks showing improvements. The abundance of Skeena River sockeye was low, but slightly better than forecast.  Returns of sockeye to Rivers and Smith inlets are increasing and in 2003 were well above the critical low levels seen a few years ago.  Central Coast chum returns were strong and West Coast Vancouver Island chinook were better than forecast.  Fraser River pink returns greatly exceeded pre-season expectations.

In addressing conservation concerns for specific salmon stocks, such as Cultus Lake and Sakinaw Lake sockeye, DFO adopted a cautious approach to harvesting opportunities and undertook a range of enhancement initiatives, including a captive brood stock program and fry releases.  It is expected that the results of these initiatives will be available in Spring, 2004.  In addition, the Department intensified stock assessment efforts directed at these stocks for the 2003 season.

Fishing arrangements with some First Nation bands changed mid-season following a July 2003 court decision in R. vs. Kapp. The court found that pilot sales fishing arrangements were inconsistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  In response, DFO gave notice of early termination for existing agreements for 2003, in accordance with those agreements, and discontinued negotiations on other pilot sales fisheries.  This court decision is being appealed.  The Department will continue working with First Nations to explore an alternative approach that provides for their participation in commercial salmon fisheries.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada remains committed to the conservation and sustainability of B.C.’s salmon resource. The Department is seeking to be more adaptable to changing situations (e.g.:  water levels and temperatures, returns rates, run size, run timing, etc.).  DFO will continue to work with First Nations and the fishing sectors to adopt innovative and flexible means to conduct sustainable fisheries that are consistent with conservation objectives.

Through collaboration with First Nations, the recreational and commercial sectors, the Provincial Government, environmental organizations, and other interested parties, DFO is striving to conserve the resource for today and for future generations.  Several notable initiatives that will help guide the way forward are already underway:p>

• The development of management approaches that are consistent with the new Species at Risk Act (SARA), while at the same time continue to provide viable fishing opportunities;
• The continuation of work on the Wild Salmon Policy to provide a framework for salmon conservation and guidelines for the implementation of SARA;
• The continuing progress on the recommendations for the Review of the 2002 Fraser River Sockeye Fishery (further details available as a backgrounder); and
• The newly formed joint federal-provincial task group to provide independent, expert advice on how to ensure an integrated, economically-viable marine fisheries sector in B.C. consistent with treaties.

Additional Information:

1. BACKGROUNDER - 2003 Salmon Fishing Opportunities Coastwide

2. BACKGROUNDER - Status of Implementation of Recommendations from the Review of the 2002 Fraser River Sockeye Fishery

- 30 -

FOR MORE INFORMATION

>Michelle Imbeau Communications Officer Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region 604-666-2872

NR-PR-04-001e