2026 Fisheries Management " Proposals " for SOG & SVI

So consultation closes at the end of October? In the past few years DFO had some detailed information on their website with what they are proposing and an online survey to provide input. I have not been able to find anything like that. I have not been able to find these new proposals anywhere on their website (could be just my lack of internet skills). If someone has links to this info, please share.

Is this consultation to the end of October only the first step in forming a proposal for later surveys like they have done in the past?
 
The surveys were only tools they used to gain your approvals. You all voted for the lesser options which only enabled them to move forward.
 
Given the amount of data available including the economic impacts now seen south island where there closures are currently in affect perhaps if the MP's and DFO aren't listening or responding to the letters such as a letter I submitted. Next step is the start a class action lawsuit, I do believe there would be a lot of support from the rec sector, weekend warriors, guides, accommodations, tackle shops, dealerships, processing facilities, municipalities and more. Because no rulings are made pre-emptively, using the current closed areas as a catalyst to get this rolling and into the courts is the best way forward. The government does get challenged time to time and does lose, they are not the final word but will give the final word if not challenged.
 
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DFO's reasoning has a lot of holes, among one of the many. If this is all about the lack of fish for the whales why limit hatcheries from running at full capacity? I know this for a fact as one of the hatcheries I have had first hand conversation with the operator. I cant speak for all hatcheries but I am aware of one and I would imagine it's similar for others DFO tells the hatchery they don't want hatchery fish competing with wild fish so reduce output or else. Then DFO comes to the angler and says we need to close areas to protect the chinook as there's not enough food for the resident orcas. If it's about food for the Orca's let the hatcheries run at full capacity, or stop with the Orca food pitch. The list of these types of examples goes on and on. There's DNA sampling that has gone on for sometime they have a good idea of where certain runs are at certain times which can be protected through limited time closures which they are already doing to allow most of the at risk runs to pass, but to blanket close an entire area makes no sense other than it's easier for them ( lazy ) at the expense of many costal communities ability to support families and business. Max in possession of 4 chinook a visitor can have and if your a resident that can fish when ever you want with a max 10 fish a year the impact is very very small on the stocks. In our area there is a ton of different runs of fish so it's cookie crumbs extracted from each run passing by. It's my belief that take each reason DFO is giving and dispute it with facts. If DFO can't manage the resource in a fair and equitable manner both protecting stocks and the communities that survive on sportfishing let DFO explain them selves in court. Holding DFO accountable for current and future decisions that have a high impact on the Canadian citizens will be the only way to keep them honest and under the microscope on future decisions and taking into account what harm those decisions could cause on both sides of the aisle. Right now it feels like they are treating the sport sector like dementia patients, I'm not at the table but I'm betting they are giving 2 or 3 round about options and scenarios with a pick one or a hybrid of the options manipulating the outcome they are set out to achieve in the near and long. I'm very thankful for all the volunteer work being done, I'm sure has been and is a very tough road and I'm sure helpless feeling at time. To date the work done has prevented all out closures so thank you for all your hard work. I really do feel like these folks need additional help from everyone to come together on this. No division just working together on a common goal, such as current round tables to court action if need be.
 
Maybe an odd thought here.
Reduced fishing results in more prey fish, for pinnipeds as well, so more, fatter pinnipeds.

A question then becomes are the Orcas they count the southern pod or northern pod?

With a enhanced supply of pinnipeds would that not attract the northern pods more often pushing out the southern pods?

Aren't the northern pods expanding their territory south now?

Who is out there monitoring which pods are there daily? Or is it just "hey, thar be whales"?

More salmon, more pinnipeds eating more salmon leaving less for the southerns and now getting more northern's all the time.

Well one thing has happened, since fishing restrictions the northern pods have thrived and expanded areas they frequent. More bigger prey for them.

Another question is when was the balance broken, natures balance. I seem to remember so many fish spawning you could almost walk across their backs and not get wet. Right up to the early 90's or so.
 
Fishing? said:
Maybe an odd thought here.
Reduced fishing results in more prey fish, for pinnipeds as well, so more, fatter pinnipeds.

A question then becomes are the Orcas they count the southern pod or northern pod?

With a enhanced supply of pinnipeds would that not attract the northern pods more often pushing out the southern pods?

Aren't the northern pods expanding their territory south now?

Who is out there monitoring which pods are there daily? Or is it just "hey, thar be whales"?

More salmon, more pinnipeds eating more salmon leaving less for the southerns and now getting more northern's all the time.

Well one thing has happened, since fishing restrictions the northern pods have thrived and expanded areas they frequent. More bigger prey for them.

Another question is when was the balance broken, natures balance. I seem to remember so many fish spawning you could almost walk across their backs and not get wet. Right up to the early 90's or so.
Click to expand...
Just so you know, the northern pod eats only fish too.
 
chris73 said:
Just so you know, the northern pod eats only fish too.
Click to expand...
Just the exact reality the MM ENGO activists that DFO listens to - do not wish to admit nor publicize. Fear is a great motivator in scaring old ladies and Starbuck-slurpers out of their money. And God forbid if they acknowledge if they aren't the experts on other things - like Chinook.

So, why are the NRKW doing so well in comparison? And - as we all know - Chinook also travel thousands of km...
orca numbers.jpg
 
I'll give you my counter narrative(s) - based on data/science:

First - This ENGO-promoted narrative about lack of Chinook being a major impact to SRKW is unsupported by science/data:
news.ubc.ca

No apparent shortage of prey for southern resident killer whales in Canadian waters during summer - UBC News

A popular belief that there are fewer Chinook salmon during the summer in Canadian waters for southern resident killer whales, compared to an abundance of fish for northern resident killer whales, has been debunked by a study led by scientists at the University of British Columbia.
news.ubc.ca news.ubc.ca

journals.plos.org

Prevalence of Chinook salmon is higher for southern than for northern resident killer whales in summer hot-spot feeding areas

Differences in the availability of prey may explain the low numbers of southern resident killer whales and the increase in northern resident killer whales in British Columbia and Washington State. However, in-situ data on the availability of their preferred prey (Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus...
journals.plos.org journals.plos.org


Alternative, cumulative hypotheses:

1/ low population numbers for SRKWs (~74) causing both Inbreeding (a lengthy topic on it's own) - but which also means a reduced number of female grandmothers and their critical role they play in leading salmon hunting expeditions; and
2/ contaminants in their feed/milk being fed back to their young. SRKW have an extended period of nursing their calves compared to other orcas - typically nursing for 2-3 years before calving again.
 
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I am an admin for this group
And so is Mark Roberts


Hey fellow fishers! I'm the creator/owner of the Port Renfrew Fishing page in BC https://www.facebook.com/groups/1720984684830759 - across the Juan de Fuca Strait. Our recreational fishery is facing a MEGA proposed shutdown by our Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans for all Chinook fishery across the island. There have been record stock numbers - they claim to want to shut us down to save the Southern Resident Killer Whales and their feeding. BC/Canada lets Whale Watching Companies run 24/7 with basically zero restriction - meanwhile, Washington State has mega restrictions recognizing the acoustic harms from the Whale Watching industry. Bottom line is that IF the non-science measures/closures go through in February 2026 our entire west coast communities along the Juan de Fuca strait will be wiped out economically.

We're reaching out to ask you all to raise the alarm and support us! Go to my page and join and check out all of the information/research we've been posting. We need all hands on deck here - literally.

Thank you very much for your time.
Cynthia Carlsen

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
Whole in the Water said:
Will there be a town hall meeting like this in the Victoria and/or Sooke area??
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I'm literally just in the process of attempting to find out so your question is timed well. There was a plan for PFA to have a Town Hall Meeting about the SRKW management( fishing closure) proposals in Langford but I have not heard word yet on this. Check back here for confirmation. I will post any details here as I find out.
 
Peahead said:
I'm literally just in the process of attempting to find out so your question is timed well. There was a plan for PFA to have a Town Hall Meeting about the SRKW management( fishing closure) proposals in Langford but I have not heard word yet on this. Check back here for confirmation. I will post any details here as I find out.
Click to expand...
 
G Gordon said:
Guest speakers 👍
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I asked AI how many southern resident killer whales were captured from the pacific northwest for aquariums. The answer was, between 1962 and 1977 an estimated 47 to 60 southern resident killer whales were captured from the pacific northwest for aquariums, with some sources stating the number of removals was higher but included many deaths during capture. The captures disproportionately targeted juveniles and significantly impacted the population. The captures in my opinion is why they are listed as an endangered species. These captures were carried out in washington state and in b.c . So in the mean time every body else is the cause of their decline .
 
Peahead said:
I'm literally just in the process of attempting to find out so your question is timed well. There was a plan for PFA to have a Town Hall Meeting about the SRKW management( fishing closure) proposals in Langford but I have not heard word yet on this. Check back here for confirmation. I will post any details here as I find out.
Click to expand...
Whole in the Water said:
Will there be a town hall meeting like this in the Victoria and/or Sooke area??
Click to expand...

Ok here it is:

PFA Town Hall Meeting:

Thursday November 13th, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Langford Legion, 761 Station Ave, Langford

Peahead

Thread 'IMPORTANT: Nov 13th 2025 Fisheries TOWN HALL MEETING in Langford'

This Public Fishery Alliance Town Hall Meeting will include information on the 2026 proposed expansion of SRKW fishing closure areas and times, an update on Marked Selective Fisheries, Mass Marking and DFO's cancellation of the Sooke chinook sea pen.

PFA Town Hall Meeting:
Thursday November 13th 2025 @ 7:00pm
Langford Legion, 761 Station Ave, Langford

PFA Town Hall Meeting Poster with further details will be added here soon.
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