March 16, 2005 VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that the outlook for the 2005 salmon fishing season in British Columbia and the Yukon is expected to provide a range of fishing opportunities for First Nations and the recreational and commercial fishing sectors. Overall, most salmon stocks in Pacific Region waters appear to be healthy, although some have declined in recent years and will not support full fisheries in 2005. This outlook outlines some of the potential fishing opportunities for First Nations and the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, as well as the stocks of concern around which fisheries might be shaped. (See backgrounder for details.) Conservation remains the first priority in managing the salmon resource. The Department is seeking to meet escapement targets for all stocks while also providing fishing opportunities for the various harvesting sectors. Achieving these goals is complex and challenging because the resource is unpredictable resource. The resource is characterized by many diverse co-migrating populations and is susceptible to changing environmental conditions. Therefore, fisheries management requires flexibility on the part of both DFO and harvesters. Water levels and water temperatures, based on snow pack levels and in-season temperatures, have the potential to affect the migration health of salmon. More than half-way through the winter season, current snow pack depths for most of the province are at normal levels. A few notable exceptions include Vancouver Island and the Lower Fraser River area that have snow packs well below average. Close attention will be paid to long range temperature forecasts and precipitation patterns as summer approaches. The salmon management plans for 2005 are currently at the preliminary stage of consultation with First Nations and other stakeholders, including recreational and commercial harvesters and environmental organizations. In the coming months, DFO will be finalizing the salmon Integrated Fishery Management Plans (IFMPs) based on the input received from consultations. There are a number of initiatives on which the Department is conducting consultations. For instance, the Department is revising the draft Wild Salmon Policy, taking into account comments received from First Nations, stakeholders and other interested parties, including input heard at a multi-interest forum held earlier this month. Public hearings on the 2004 Southern Salmon Post-Season Review, led by former Chief Justice Bryan Williams, have recently concluded and a report will be developed on the findings from those hearings. In addition, the Department has been obtaining the views of First Nations and stakeholders on the recommendations in the Joint Task Group/First Nations Panel reports, and seeking views and ideas on how to address current fishery management challenges. DFO recognizes that reforms to the current management regime are necessary. The above initiatives will be providing recommendations, some of which may be incorporated into finalized salmon IFMPs for 2005 and some of which may be phased in over the next few years. Measures to protect a number of salmon stocks of concern will again be incorporated into this year's fishing plans. Fishing opportunities on co-migrating stocks will be restricted to protect the stocks of concern. As in previous years, there continue to be conservation issues for Rivers and Smith inlets sockeye. Other stocks of concern include Cultus Lake and Sakinaw Lake sockeye and Interior Fraser River (Thompson) coho. DFO will be monitoring the health of these stocks and working with stakeholders to ensure a sustainable fishery. Specifically for 2005, commercial harvesters are being encouraged to develop proposals that are designed to reduce the biological risk to stocks, provide greater management control, and increase the value of the harvest. DFO is committed to working with First Nations, the recreational and commercial fishing sectors and other interested parties to adopt innovative and flexible means to conduct sustainable fisheries that are consistent with conservation objectives. Backgrounder: 2005 Detailed Salmon Season Overview - 30 - For further information: Michelle Imbeau Communications Officer Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region 604-666-2872 Lara Sloan Communications Officer Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region 604-666-0903
