VANCOUVER - Further to the May 2002 Salmon Update on the salmon Integrated Fishery Management Plans, this update focuses on the details of the anticipated tidal waters recreational fishing opportunities along the coast of British Columbia.

A tidal waters fishing licence is required to harvest any species of fish or shellfish from B.C. waters, and anglers are reminded that barbless hooks are mandatory when fishing for salmon.

The recreational fishing opportunities described below are subject to in-season changes on short notice and are not guaranteed. In-season updates for both tidal and freshwater salmon will be available on the on-line B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide/Freshwater Fishing Supplement at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca, via fishery notice or by contacting your local DFO office. Anglers are reminded to check for updates prior to fishing.

NORTHERN AND CENTRAL B.C.

CHINOOK

In Areas 1 to 10, the daily limit for chinook is two, of which both must be over 45 centimetres.

COHO

Coho fishing opportunities are available in most areas of northern and central B.C. until December 31, 2002. In most waters of Areas 1 to 10, 101 to 110, 130 and 142, the daily limit is four coho, with a minimum size limit of 30 centimetres. Exceptions to this include the tidal portions of all streams (other than Pallant and Braverman) located on the Queen Charlotte Islands in Areas 1, 2E and 2W, where the daily limit is two; and in the tidal portions of streams flowing into Area 6 (other than the Kitimat River), where there is non-retention of coho.

SOCKEYE

Fishing opportunities for sockeye are available in Areas 1 to 8, with a daily limit of four and a minimum size limit of 30 centimetres. In Areas 9 and 10, there is no fishing for sockeye all year to protect Rivers and Smith inlets sockeye.

PINK

The daily limit for pink throughout coastal B.C. is four, with a minimum size limit of 30 centimetres.

CHUM

The daily limit for chum throughout coastal B.C. is four, with a minimum size limit of 30 centimetres.

SOUTHERN B.C. AND FRASER RIVER

CHINOOK

Opportunities for fishing for chinook are available in Areas 12 to 19, 28 and portions of Area 20 and 29, with a daily limit of two and minimum size limits of 30, 45 or 62 centimetres depending on the Area fished. Details will be available via fishery notice and on the DFO website at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca The tidal waters of the Fraser River are currently open for fishing for chinook from May 1 to December 31. Check for daily limits and other fishing restrictions prior to fishing.

On the West Coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI), chinook daily limits will generally be two per day over 45 centimetres. However, for the protection of WCVI chinook stocks, only one of the two per day can be greater than 77 centimetres in most WCVI areas and in the conservation corridor. These restrictions are anticipated to be in place from July 15 to October 1 in the northern areas of WCVI (Areas 25 to 27) and from August 1 to October 15 in the southern areas (Areas 21 to 24). There is no maximum size limit in the terminal areas of Area 23 (Barkley Sound) and Area 25 (Nootka Sound) where hatchery chinook stocks are prevalent. Additional conservation measures, including chinook non-retention and total finfish closures, will be implemented in portions of these areas. Information on the chinook conservation measures will be available via fishery notice and on the Department's website at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca It is advised that anglers check with these sources or with the nearest office of Fisheries and Oceans Canada before going fishing.

COHO

Hatchery coho opportunities are expected to be available in most waters of Areas 11 to 29, with minimum size limits of 35 or 41 centimetres depending on the Area fished. These fishing opportunities are planned to begin August 1, except in portions of Area 16, 28 and 29 which opened June 1. Details will be available via fishery notice and on the DFO website.

Wild coho may be retained in a portion of Area 20 and in portions of the inside waters of Areas 23 to 25 and 27. Check for daily limits and other restrictions prior to fishing.

In the tidal waters of the Fraser River, a hatchery coho opportunity is planned to begin October 9 until December 31, 2002, during daylight hours only. The daily limit will be two, with a minimum size limit of 25 centimetres.

SOCKEYE

Due to conservation concerns for some Fraser River sockeye stocks, non-retention measures will be in place until about mid-July in all southern B.C. waters, except Alberni Inlet where the daily limit will be four sockeye unless otherwise indicated. Additional fishing opportunities for sockeye may be announced in-season.

PINK

The daily limit for pink throughout coastal B.C. is four, with a minimum size limit of 30 centimetres.

CHUM

The daily limit for chum throughout coastal B.C. is four, with a minimum size limit of 30 centimetres.

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 B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide.

Areas closed to angling for finfish, as described in the Guide, continue to be in effect. In addition, rockfish conservation measures that are being implemented this year to protect inshore rockfish may affect some salmon fishing opportunities in some areas. Check for updates on the Department's website at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca  

Media contacts:

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

Wayne Saito
Recreational Fisheries Coordinator
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-3271