Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) today released the 2002 Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMP) for northern and southern B.C. This update focuses on the highlights of the two plans for First Nations, recreational and commercial harvesters. The salmon IFMPs are available from DFO offices or by visiting the DFO website at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/mplans/mplans.htm.

The salmon management plans for 2002 are based on scientific information provided through the Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC) process, input from fishery managers and a variety of other departmental staff. In addition, the IFMPs have been developed through consultations with First Nations, representatives of recreational and commercial fishing groups, and other interests.

DFO will continue to consult with First Nations, recreational and commercial harvesters throughout the season regarding fishing plans and necessary revisions to these plans, especially where specific conservation concerns may exist, with the intent of providing an integrated approach to fisheries management.

Benefits from the strong salmon conservation programs implemented over the past four years, as well as the apparent improved marine survival conditions, are expected to allow for more flexibility in management approaches for Pacific Region's salmon stocks in 2002.

Key features of the plans are a clear description of management objectives, decision guidelines and the allocation structures that will guide fisheries management decisions. Particular attention has been paid to the development of decision guidelines. These guidelines are intended to provide harvesters with a summary of the rationale behind management decisions, and to provide a clear outline of departmental responses to changing in-season information and conditions. These decision guidelines were specifically developed to capture the general management approach rather than the details of the 2002 season. It is hoped that these guidelines can be further developed in future years to form the basis of multi-year plans. The plans also include more detailed descriptions of anticipated fishing opportunities for 2002. However, while fishing opportunities outlined in the plans are anticipated to occur based on pre-season information, they are not guaranteed.

Continued improvements in selective fishing methods have also allowed for increased flexibility in conducting fisheries in recent years. The application of selective fishing techniques will be a key component to providing access to surplus salmon stocks for First Nations, recreational and commercial harvesters in 2002. Although funding for the Selective Fishing Program ended in March 2002, harvesters continue to develop new selective techniques and practices. The objective of selective fishing initiatives is to incorporate the lessons learned into regular fisheries. DFO will continue to work with harvesters to implement new gear and fishing practices into annual fishing plans.

An inshore rockfish conservation strategy has been developed and will be in place for the 2002 fishing season. The Department's inshore rockfish conservation strategy, designed to reverse declines and to address stock rebuilding, is based on four specific measures: reduce the total harvest of inshore rockfish, establish areas for the protection of inshore rockfish where fishing will be further restricted, improve catch monitoring, and establish a stock assessment framework. Rockfish conservation measures may affect some salmon fisheries in some areas.

NORTHERN AND CENTRAL B.C.

In planning fisheries, First Nations will continue to have priority access to harvest salmon for food, social and ceremonial purposes and to meet the objectives of the Nisga'a Final Agreement.

For 2002, three primary conservation issues will drive management decisions in northern and central B.C. These are concerns for upper Skeena coho, West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) chinook, and Rivers and Smith inlets sockeye.

Overall, the rebuilding trend for upper Skeena River coho (and most other North and Central coast coho stocks) is expected to continue. However, there continues to be a concern for the "high interior" component of the upper Skeena coho complex. Precautionary measures will continue to be in place for harvesters during times and areas where these stocks of concern are prevalent. Despite this concern, terminal First Nations and recreational fishing opportunities are still anticipated on some upper Skeena tributaries where in-season surpluses are identified.

Although an improved outlook is forecast for WCVI chinook, conservation concerns remain for these stocks, particularly on the wild, non-enhanced returns. Commercial chinook closures during portions of July, August and September will be in place to protect WCVI chinook. These closures will impact fishing opportunities for trollers, particularly in the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Fisheries affecting Rivers and Smith inlets sockeye were closed in 2000 and 2001, and although 2001 returns showed a slight improvement, it was less than anticipated. Sockeye returns to these systems for 2002 are once again anticipated to be poor because of very poor brood year escapements. Therefore, a continuation of directed fisheries closures for commercial and recreational harvesters will be required for the 2002 season. Opportunities for local First Nations to harvest a limited number of Rivers Inlet sockeye for food, social and ceremonial purposes are anticipated.

Fishing opportunities are expected to be significantly reduced for sockeye over the 2001 season. No commercial fisheries are planned on Skeena River stocks due to an anticipated poor return. Nass River sockeye stocks are forecast to be average and are anticipated to provide good fishing opportunities for all sectors.

Pink and chum returns are forecast to be moderate to strong with strong fishing opportunities for all sectors anticipated in both Areas 6 and 8. More modest pink and chum opportunities are anticipated in some terminal areas of the Queen Charlotte Islands (e.g.: Cumshewa Inlet chum).

Chinook returns in the North and Central coasts are expected to be strong overall, especially to the Nass, Skeena and Atnarko rivers. There will be chinook opportunities for First Nations and other harvesters in most North and Central coast areas. In addition, limited troll and gillnet fisheries are planned where chinook returns are strong (e.g.: troll opportunities in the Queen Charlotte Islands, and gillnet opportunities in the Skeena River and Area 8).

Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirement (ESSR) fisheries may occur if salmon stocks return to a system at abundance levels that exceed spawning requirements. These fisheries have occurred on a regular basis in the Skeena River (Pilot Sales) for sockeye and pink, and for many years on the Nass River for sockeye. Contingency plans are in place to conduct these fisheries again in 2002 if surpluses occur.

SOUTHERN B.C. AND FRASER RIVER

Southern B.C. and Fraser River fishing opportunities are expected to be similar to recent years, with the exception of anticipated strong chum and Mainland Inlet pink returns. In planning fishing opportunities, First Nations will continue to have priority access to harvest salmon for food, social and ceremonial purposes.

As in the North and Central coast, there are some key conservation issues that will shape the nature of fishing plans in southern B.C. fisheries in 2002. Southern B.C. coho (including B.C. Interior stocks), WCVI chinook and Late Run Fraser sockeye present special conservation concerns for managing fisheries.

Summer Run Fraser River sockeye returns are again expected to be strong. However, Early Stuart and Early Summer Run returns are forecast to be weak. The Late Run Fraser River sockeye component is forecast to be poor which is a serious concern considering this is the dominant cycle for the world-famous Adams River return. In addition, early entry of Late Run stocks to the Fraser River is expected to result in high pre-spawn mortality levels. Because of these concerns, it is anticipated that Fraser River sockeye fishing opportunities for all harvesters will be limited to the period between late July and mid-August (depending on location and migration timing).

Barkley Sound sockeye returns are forecast to be strong and anticipated to support good fishing opportunities for all harvesters.

Recently, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) listed Interior Fraser coho (includes Thompson River coho) as endangered. This special status reinforces the importance of the precautionary and conservation-oriented approach that DFO has taken on these stocks over the past four years. Fisheries that may impact these stocks of concern will be required to meet strict selective fishing standards as in recent years.

The outlook for southern B.C. coho is expected to be similar to previous years due to poor brood year returns to most systems. In 2001, marine survival of salmon was higher than the late 1990s, and it is expected to be similar although slightly lower for 2002. Accordingly, there is an on-going need to conduct all fisheries in a manner that minimises impacts on all southern B.C. coho stocks, and as noted, special concerns for Thompson River coho will continue to restrict fishing for all harvesters in southern B.C. However, based on the success of recent management measures (e.g.: selective fishing and significant harvest reductions) and optimism for improved marine survival, some flexibility is possible in 2002. In the case of the recreational fishery, an increased opportunity for the harvest of hatchery marked coho is planned beginning in early August.

2002 is an off-cycle year for Fraser River pink salmon therefore no fishing opportunities are planned on these stocks. However, based on strong brood year returns to Johnstone Strait and Mainland Inlet systems, good fishing opportunities may be possible on these pink returns.

Chum brood year returns were also very strong and returns in 2002 are expected to provide a number of fishing opportunities for all harvesters. Fisheries are anticipated in Johnstone Strait, the Fraser River, at Nitinat and in Nootka Sound.

WCVI local chinook returns are expected to improve compared to 2001, especially to enhanced systems. However, conservation concerns for many WCVI wild, non-enhanced stocks persist. Based on an overall improvement to these stocks, management measures will be slightly relaxed in 2002 in areas where stock improvements are noted. The conservation corridor off the WCVI, where no salmon fishing is permitted, will again be in place for 2002, with fewer restrictions compared to the past. Good fishing opportunities are planned for First Nations and recreational harvesters. For commercial harvesters, terminal opportunities will be assessed in-season, and some limited fisheries may occur on hatchery surpluses (e.g.: Robertson Creek stocks).

Good fishing opportunities for commercial troll harvesters off the WCVI during the spring and fall months are planned. This fishery will target passing non-local WCVI stocks and will be managed to ensure maximum protection of local WCVI chinook stocks.

Negotiations regarding possible pilot sales fisheries in the Fraser and Somass River are underway. Salmon stocks in 2002 are expected be strong enough to support pilot sales fisheries, however opportunities will be restricted in a similar fashion as the commercial fishery, especially when stocks of concern are prevalent.

The Department is continuing to review its approach to Excess to Salmon Spawning Requirements (ESSR) fisheries for 2002. A number of concerns were expressed over the conduct of these fisheries in 2001, and approaches to resolving these concerns are under development.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada continues to work with harvest sectors to explain new initiatives that will improve on in-season assessment programs and provide increased harvest opportunities while still meeting conservation objectives. The details of these initiatives will be announced as they become available.

In-season changes to commercial fisheries will be announced by Fisheries Notices to Industry.

Changes to the recreational fishing regulations and in-season updates will be communicated through Fishery Notices, telephone information lines and postings on the Pacific Region Fisheries and Oceans web site at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Anglers are requested to participate in creel surveys and voluntary salmon head recovery programs in their areas. Participants will be entered into an annual prize draw that includes fishing equipment and fishing trips. For more information check the Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide.  

Media contacts:

Bert Ionson
A/Resource Manager - Salmon
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-0497