B.C. sports fishers were given the green light today (August 1) to go fishing for sockeye, just in time for the long weekend, and starting August 2, commercial gillnet fishers will get the green light as well for a three-day fishery.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans opened a recreational sockeye fishery August 1 for non-tidal areas, and plan to open it to tidal portions of the Lower Fraser River Sunday morning (August 3). Recreational opportunities are expected to open in upper, non-tidal portions of the Fraser River later in the week.
Meanwhile, Area E gillnetters will be given a 38-hour window that opens Saturday evening, August 3, and runs into Monday morning for the Johnstone Straights and Campbell River areas.
First Nations started fishing for food, social and ceremonial purposes last week, and DFO has also signed commercial harvest agreements with all but one of the First Nations in the Lower Fraser region.
“As salmon season progresses, and fishing increases with all the participants...(fisheries) officers will be patrolling marine waters of B.C. as well as the Fraser River to ensure the fisheries are conducted in a legal and safe manner,” said Larry Paike, DFO’s director of conservation and protection.
Early Stuart sockeye returns appear to be bearing out predictions that this year’s Fraser River sockeye returns could be robust.
Pre-season estimates of the early Stuart run had been estimated to be 299,000. Based on test fisheries, that has been downgraded slightly to 240,000 August 2.
Generally, sports fishers are allowed to keep four sockeye per day, however, there are none retention restrictions for Area 16 (Texada Island-Jervis Inlet) and sub area 29-8 (Boundary Bay.) See DFO’s website for details.
Paike said fishers also need to be aware of areas that are closed to fishing to protect rock fish stocks. He also asked that anyone witnessing fishing violations to report them by calling 1-800-465-4336.
This is expected to be a banner year for Fraser River sockeye. For planning purposes, DFO is estimating a return of 23 million.
