Bad Vibes circling about Major closures on WCVI ?

spring fever

spring fever

Well-Known Member
I have heard some disturbing rumours about drastic Salmon closures for the WCVI. My first reaction was to dismiss it but hard to do when the facts start to show up. Terrible troll fishery in Alaska, our own commercial troll fishery was not great(ask Nog). I have fished Winter Harbour for a lot of years and I have never seen it so dead!! We apparently are doing better on the inside according to reports from guys here but what about outside. What happened to the fish expected for the U.S Hatcheries you say? Well wouldn't they also show up in Alaska and Haida Gwaii first. Any reports on that? The Alberni canal has been over fished and had low escapements for the last few years -has it finally shown up ? I want to be very wrong on this and if so please tell me why these rumours are so much BS -they are very persistent!!
 
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I hope your wrong Springfever, after reading posts from the weekend it sounds like the fishing was pretty decent on the outside. Probably our neighbours, but decent nonetheless.
 
The spring fishery in Alaska has been going off a cliff for going on 5 years now. There's NO system that remains unscathed--from Barrow to Southeast Alaska, it's grim and getting grimmer, in that order.

I quietly chuckle when I hear disgruntled Canadian sporties complain about Alaska wiping out "their" spring fishery. The Alaskans have taken HUGE cuts (both commies and sports) Some of my favorite Cook Inlet streams are shut down. The world famous Kenai River? The bottomless pit of huge springs? Disaster area.

Here's a sad fact: without US hatch jobs, the Van Isle guide operations would be sucking wind. The guides "in the know" realize that.

Down here we've taken huge cuts. It's a knock-down drag-out fight every season to get a spring fishery.

You guys have had it VERY EASY so far--- both your hali regs (Loud and Persistent Whiners Notwithstanding) and your salmon regs have been pretty liberal as well.

But anybody who paid dues last July in all the known Van Isle historical hot-spots saw right away that something was a bit wrong: as in clean screens on perfect tides type of wrong. We all scratched out a living but I sure saw a lot of brown and red and black on the cleaning tables, with a conspicuous absence of silver...

If you talk to enough biologists up in Alaska, the reoccurring theme seems to be "PDO"--- Pacific Decadonal Oscillation.

You can point fingers at the commies or the nasty Alaskans but they didn't bring all those mackerel onto the salmon grounds of WCVI last summer.

Fasten your seat belts, folks. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
 
Actually.....they might want to take a look at the Krill populations up there and here.
Krill is as important as herring and other food sources for salmon.

Researchers have linked krill population and density to size and abundance of Chinook (as well as Sockeye etc.)

Whatever affects the krill affects the salmon.

Overfishing and all of the rest of the "goto" finger pointing may heave some merit.

But there are all kinds of things going on up there in nature/cyclicals/marine volcanics that are independant of that.

I think the abundance of krill explained the phenomenal return of Sox on the Fraser a few years back.

But it definitely affects Chinooks as well.
 
HOT OFF THE PRESS FROM ALASKA:

QUOTE:

With a record Togiak herring harvest winding up yesterday, it seems like coast wide production of herring is up 20% over last year, to around 56,000 tons. Roe prices will be settled a little later between packers and their Japanese buyers. Heavy supplies and the weak Yen will have an impact.

UNQUOTE


This is one of the reasons the Alaska biologists are scratching their collective heads when it comes to the precipitous decline of chinook returns: every time they think they've identified a culprit, someone rearranges the furniture when the data comes in
 
I do know first hand that there were BIG springs and lots of them,being sport caught right now (last weekend) up in QS Islands...be on the lookout hopefully hitting WCVI anytime soon?
 
Great fishing off west coast this past weekend, winter harbour anyway. Plus some good fishing out of Hardy. My bud in Shearwater has said this is the best May fishing in the past week he has ever seen in May...so maybe they are on their way now?!?! Probably showing up to our area and then WCVI in next few days. My dad works in WH and talked to commie who said Columbian run is late but his buddies were slaying them up north and they are on their way...apparently unreal fishing up north a lil ways right now.
 
Fishing has been great all winter and spring here in Tofino and continues to be so. We landed 11 Chinooks (released 7, kept 4) in 3 hrs of fishing....leaving the dock at 9:30 so i don't think it's all doom and gloom.

YES, Sharphooks...............those fish are predominately US bound fish. I wish DFO would commit the resources to enhancement that they used to and the US still does. Kudos to our neighbors to the South!!

Also, i had a friend fish Whale Channel and the Bella Bella area last week and had awesome fishing with multiple tyee days. Those aren't the hatchery clones of the Columbia i'll wager.

My point is that after guiding for 30 years i have seen the salmon patterns change from time to time and i believe that we are in one of those funky cycles right now.

This is IN MY OPINION, i am no biologist and have no scientific proof.
 
Ya my buddy is in shearwater and those are bc mainland bound fish. Guys slaying 30+lbers and its may!!!!!! Not a ton of numbers but into 10-12 chinook a day so not too shabby
 
hey Fishtofino---I just got back from Alaska a week ago. I was up in Sitka (spring salmon heaven). I'm involved in selling slush ice machines now (also known as Pumpable Ice Technology) ---I'm doing an installation at a large salmon packer's facility. The cost of the machines will more then likely get partly subsidized by Alaskan State money---funds that were set aside to "mitigate" the damages suffered by the commies for the huge chinook quota cuts they took due to recent poor returns.

So I was talking to a group of commies and one of them said that during the mitigation discussions someone actually suggested that rather then give the money to the Alaskan groups that got hit with the quota cuts they should consider giving the money to the BC provincial government--- specifically earmarked to help get the Robertson Creek Hatchery program pumping out springs to the degree it did 20 years ago

Now there's a bitter irony for you guys who rely on Columbia River fish---guess who had first crack at those fish in the good old days when Robertson was releasing 9 million fish a year?
 
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sharphooks said:
hey Fishtofino---I just got back from Alaska a week ago. I was up in Sitka (spring salmon heaven). I'm involved in selling slush ice machines now (also known as Pumpable Ice Technology) ---I'm doing an installation at a large salmon packer's facility. The cost of the machines will more then likely get partly subsidized by Alaskan State money---funds that were set aside to "mitigate" the damages suffered by the commies for the huge chinook quota cuts they took due to recent poor returns.

So I was talking to a group of commies and one of them said that during the mitigation discussions someone actually suggested that rather then give the money to the Alaskan groups that got hit with the quota cuts they should consider giving the money to the BC provincial government--- specifically earmarked to help get the Robertson Creek Hatchery program pumping out springs to the degree it did 20 years ago

Now there's a bitter irony for you guys who rely on Columbia River fish---guess who had first crack at those fish in the good old days when Robertson was releasing 9 million fish a year?
Click to expand...

Sharphooks
It's actually DFO, a federal government entity that is in charge of (lol) and ran that hatchery.I agree that the way the cut production at Robertson Creek was criminal. I know the Alaskans had 1st crack at them but that run provided Chinooks all the way down the coast and migrated along the surfline on WCVI. We havn't been able to fish the surfline here in August for so long i can't remember to protect that run's spawners only for them to be caught in terminal commercial fisheries in the AlberniCanal. :(

Feel free to send us that cash, our senators need a raise ;)
 
Posting this for those of you who believe the SFAB process does not work....well, opening up coho opportunity was a top priority for SFAB and here is evidence that getting involved in the process is a worthwhile investment of our time. Stay tuned for further announcements regarding Area 23/25 Chinook:

Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon


Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada


Subject: FN0431-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Lower West Coast Vancouver Island - Areas 21 to 24, 121, and 123 to 124 - Coho Fishing times and limits


Please be aware that these limits do not apply to salmon non-retention areas
and/or fin-fish closed areas. Please check the DFO website referenced at the
bottom of this notice for further information.


Area 21/121


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2013, you may retain
two (2) hatchery marked coho per day.


Effective 00:01 hours September 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 you may
retain four (4) hatchery marked coho per day.


Area 22


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 you may retain
four (4) coho per day (hatchery marked or unmarked).




Area 23/123


Please be aware that these limits do not apply to salmon non-retention areas
and/or fin-fish closed areas. Please check the DFO website referenced at the
bottom of this notice for further information.


Area 23 shoreward of a line
---------------------------


Subareas 23-1 to 23-6, 23-9, 23-10 and those portions of Subareas 23-7,23-8 and
23-11 shoreward of a line from Amphitrite Point to the Chrow Island Light, then
to the Benson Island Light, then to the Coaster Channel Light, then to the
southwestern tip of Sanford Island, then to Aguilar Point.


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 you may retain
4 coho per day (hatchery marked or unmarked).


Area 123 and Area 23 seaward of a line
--------------------------------------


In Area 123 and those portions of Subareas 23-7, 23-8, and 23-11 seaward of a
line from Amphitrite Point to the Chrow Island Light, then to the Benson Island
Light, then to the Coaster Channel Light, then to the southwestern tip of
Sanford Island, then to Aguilar Point.


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2013 you may retain
two (2) coho per day (hatchery marked only).


Effective 00:01 hours September 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 you may
retain four (4) coho per day (hatchery marked only).




Area 24/124


Please be aware that these limits do not apply to salmon non-retention areas
and/or fin-fish closed areas. Please check the DFO website referenced at the
bottom of this notice for further information.


Subareas 24-1 (Hesquiat Harbour), 24-3, 24-4 (Millar Channel), 24-5, 24-7
(Bedwell Sound), 24-12, 24-13, 24-14 and portions of Subareas 24-2, 24-6, 24-9
(Browning Passage), 24-10 (Warn Bay) and 24-11 (Grice Bay) are closed all year
to the retention of coho.


Area 24 shoreward of a line
---------------------------


Subareas 24-6, 24-8, a portion of 24-9 westerly of a line commencing at Ginnard
Point on Meares Island to a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline on the
opposite shore of Browning Passage at 49°07.48’N and 125°51.81’W and a portion
of Subarea 24-10 seaward of a line from boundary signs on either side of the
entrance to Warn Bay and a portion of Subarea 24-11 seaward of a line boundary
signs on Vancouver Island on either side of Grice Bay approximately half way
between the entrance and the head of the Bay.


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2013 you may retain
two (2) coho per day (hatchery marked or unmarked)


Effective 00:01 hours September 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 you may
retain four (4) coho per day of which only two (2) may be wild (unmarked).


Area 124 and Area 24 seaward of a line
--------------------------------------


Area 124 and that portion of Subarea 24-2 seaward of a line from Starling Point
true west to a boundary sign on the opposite shore of Sydney Inlet at 49°
23.649’N and 126°15.734’W.


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2013, you may
retain two (2) hatchery marked coho per day.


Effective 00:01 hours September 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013, you may
retain four (4) hatchery marked coho per day.




Refer to the following website link for a description of the Area and Subarea
maps and for information on salmon non-retention areas and fishing closures:


http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html




Notes:


Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal
waters of British Columbia.


Anglers are requested to release any hatchery marked sockeye. These fish are
hatchery raised sockeye and part of a recovery program designed to increase the
numbers of Cultus Lake sockeye.


The term "hatchery marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the
adipose fin.


Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery
program by labeling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and
coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for
coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program
toll free at (866) 483-9994 for further information.


Rockfish Conservation Areas that are currently in effect and are closed to all
fin fishing. Descriptions of these closures, and other recreational fishing
information, can be found on the Internet at:


www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish


Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line
at 1-800-465-4336.


For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at
1-866-431-FISH (3474).


Variation Order No. 2013-264
Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon


Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada


Subject: FN0432-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Upper West Coast Vancouver Island - Areas 25 to 27, and 125 to 127 - Coho fishing times and limits


Please be aware that these limits do not apply to salmon non-retention areas
and/or fin-fish closed areas. Please check the DFO website referenced at the
bottom of this notice for further information.


Area 25/125
------------------
Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013, you may
retain four (4) coho per day, (hatchery marked or unmarked) in Subareas 25-1 to
25-6 and 25-8 to 25-16.




Subarea 25-7


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2013, you may retain
two (2) coho per day (hatchery marked only) in Area 125 and Subarea 25-7.


Effective 00:01 hours September 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013, you may
retain four (4) coho per day, (hatchery marked or unmarked) in Area 125 and
Subarea 25-7.




Area 26/126
----------------
Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013, you may
retain four (4) coho per day, only two (2) of which may be unmarked in Subareas
26-2 to 26-5 and that portion of 26-6 shoreward of the line from the most
westerly point of Union Island to a boundary marker on the opposite shore of
Vancouver Island.


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2013, you may retain
two (2) hatchery marked coho per day in Area 126, Subareas 26-1 and 26-7 to 26-
11 and that portion of Subarea 26-6 seaward of the line from the most westerly
point of Union Island to a boundary marker on the opposite shore of Vancouver
Island.


Effective 00:01 hours September 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013, you may
retain four (4) hatchery marked coho per day in Subareas 26-1 and 26-7 to 26-11
and that portion of Subarea 26-6 seaward of the line from the most westerly
point of Union Island to a boundary marker on the opposite shore of Vancouver
Island.




Area 27/127
---------------
Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013, you may
retain four (4) coho per day (hatchery marked or unmarked) in Subareas 27-1 to
27-3 and 27-7 to 27-11.


Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2013, you may retain
two (2) hatchery marked coho per day in Area 127 and in Subarea 27-4.


Effective 00:01 hours September 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013, you may
retain four (4) hatchery marked coho per day in Area 127 and in Subarea 27-4.
 
Here's the rest, couldn't fit them onto one post:

Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon


Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada


Subject: FN0430-RECREATIONAL - Salmon: Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound and Juan De Fuca - Areas 14 to 20, and 29-1 - Coho fishing times and limits


Please be aware that these limits do not apply to salmon non-retention areas
and/or fin-fish closed areas. Please check the DFO website referenced at the
bottom of this notice for further information.




Portion of Subarea 14-11 (Baynes Sound)
----------------------------------------------------
Effective 00:01 hours September 1, until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 in that
portion of Subarea 14-11 Baynes Sound inside a line from the Cape Lazo Light,
then to the P-54 Bell Buoy on Comox Bar, then to Longbeak Point, then to the
mouth of Hart (Washer) Creek, you may retain two (2) coho per day, one (1) of
which may be wild (unmarked).


Portion of Subarea 15-1 (Lang Creek)
-------------------------------------
Effective 00:01 hours August 15 until 23:59 hours October 15, 2013 in that
portion of Subarea 15-1 east of a line from Albion Point (locally known as
Black Point) to Scotchfir Point, you may retain (2) coho per day (hatchery
marked or unmarked).


Subarea 16-5 and Portion of Subarea 16-6 (Sechelt Inlet and Porpoise Bay)
----------------------------------------------------
Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 in Subarea
16-5 and a portion of Subarea 16-6 (Sechelt Inlet and Porpoise Bay), southerly
of a line from Nine Mile Point to a boundary sign on the opposite shore you may
retain four (4) coho per day (hatchery marked or unmarked).


Portion of Subarea 18-8 (Separation Point)
--------------------------------------------
Effective 00:01 hours November 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 in that
portion of Subarea 18-8, inside of a line between Separation Point and Cherry
Point, you may retain two (2) coho per day (hatchery marked or unmarked).


Area 19
-------------
Effective 00:01 hours October 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 in Area
19, you may retain two (2) coho per day, one (1) of which may be wild
(unmarked).


Subarea 20-2 and portion of Subarea 20-1 (Port San Juan Light)
--------------------------------------------
Effective 00:01 hours September 4 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 in
Subarea 20-2 and a portion of Subarea 20-1 shoreward of a line between a square
white boundary sign at Owen Point, the Port San Juan Light and Whistle Buoy,
and San Juan Point, you may retain four (4) coho per day, two (2) of which may
be wild (unmarked).


Portion of Subarea 20-1 (Port San Juan Light), Subareas 20-3 to 20-7
-----------------------------------------
Effective 00:01 hours October 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 in that
portion of Subarea 20-1 (seaward of a line between a square white boundary
sign at Owen Point, the Port San Juan Light and Whistle Buoy, and San Juan
Point) and Subareas 20-3 to 20-7, you may retain four (4) coho per day, one (1)
of which may be wild (unmarked).


Portion of Subarea 29-1 (Chapman Creek)
-----------------------------------------
Effective 00:01 hours September 15 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2013 in that
portion of Subarea 29-1 in front of Chapman Creek of Davis Bay and Trail Bay,
inside a half mile ribbon boundary (1/2 mile offshore), commencing from one
half mile true South of the Western boundary of Snickett Park (49°27.625’N and
123°45.903’W to one half mile true South of the marker at the entrance to the
Port Stalashin Marina (49°25.875’N and 123°42.824’W), you may retain (2) coho
per day (hatchery marked or unmarked).
 
Was just wondering about something:-

Commercial Halibut harvesters are not restricted to a size limit....correct?

If they aren't......then if a guest/person at a lodge buys "extra quota", that quota comes from a commie.
So...shouldn't the person who bought it be entitled to fish "anysize" halibut as well....?

Or do the commies have a size restriction as well............
 
Searun, I don't disagree with staying involved with the SFAB but after that posting can you also understand why SVIAC has formed? Southern Vancouver Island has been and continues to be the sacrificial lamb. You guys are getting relief because we are taking all pain...and often we are targeting the same fish. Victoria and Sooke continue to get hammered.
 
If someone buys quota...they have no size restriction.

Seafever said:
Was just wondering about something:-

Commercial Halibut harvesters are not restricted to a size limit....correct?

If they aren't......then if a guest/person at a lodge buys "extra quota", that quota comes from a commie.
So...shouldn't the person who bought it be entitled to fish "anysize" halibut as well....?

Or do the commies have a size restriction as well............
Click to expand...
 
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