Here's the SFAB proposal attached and posted below:
SFAB Recommendation for Fraser Chinook Management 2019
The SFAB has reviewed the contents of the letter to First Nations and stakeholders from DFO dated February 5, 2019 regarding Fraser River Chinook Conservation Measures. After much consideration we are pleased to offer the following response on behalf of the Public Fishery of southern British Columbia.
Recommendation #1:
After careful consideration, the SFAB on behalf of the Public Fishery recommends the implementation Scenario B with minor boundary adjustments. The Public Fishery recognizes its shared responsibility along with other non-indigenous fishery sectors, to bear the brunt of conservation measures implemented to conserve Fraser River stocks of concern. By implementing this scenario, we also preserve the bare minimum of opportunity and expectation that is necessary to avoid the devastating socio-economic consequences that would be the inevitable result of the implementation Scenario A.
OVERVIEW
Scenario A vs Scenario B
With modelling provided by DFO, the SFAB has been advised that the difference in the recreational component of the Calendar Year Exploitation Rates (CYER) from Scenario A to Scenario B is less than 1% for the recreational sector.
The implementation of a Mark Selective Fishery in Juan De Fuca Strait, the conservation corridor approaching the Fraser River and the Southern Georgia Strait in times and areas as identified by DFO in Scenario B will limit harvest in the recreational fishery exclusively to
marked fish of hatchery origin. This will effectively drive harvest away from Fraser River stocks of concern.
In addition to the above, as consistent with scenario B, implementation of a reduction of both the daily and possession limit will further reduce harvest of stocks concern in the key areas of Northern Georgia Strait and Johnstone Straits.
Our consideration and evaluation of scenarios A vs B is based on the Public Fishery contribution to these measures. When modelled the results of A vs B are nearly identical (0.8%) in their contribution to conservation benefits.
The marginal conservation benefit in terms of CYER reduction from the Public Fishery that would be achieved by the implementation of Scenario A recreational fishery management measures does not justify the devastating impacts to communities that depend on the fishery for their social and economic well being.
If DFO is going to seek further conservation contributions the model indicates that those contributions will have to come from other fisheries.
First Nations Fisheries:
The Public Fishery recognizes both the rights associated with and importance of FSC fisheries to First Nations communities. Therefore, we support the low impact Canadian CYER that is achieved by the implementation of Scenario B. Further, we note that during DFO’s modelling exercises we observed that implementation of Scenario A would require a reduction of at least 60% in FSC fisheries in order to achieve a CYER of 5%.
2019 Regulation Boundaries
In order to provide the ability for the recreational fishery to focus its efforts on marked hatchery stocks that are abundant in the area in the spring, the SFAB recommends the following minor adjustments to the conservation corridor outlined in scenario B:
That the boundaries of what is known as the “chinook conservation corridor” in the southern Strait of Georgia north of Cadboro Point reflect the boundaries as detailed in 2018 Fishery Notice #0370 – “Subareas 18-1 to 18-6, 18-9, 18-11, 19-5, and portions of 29-3 to 29-5 that lie southeasterly of a line from a point on the east side of Valdes Island located at 49°05.562'N and 123°39.989'W then extending approximately 57 degrees True to the North Arm Jetty Light located at 49°15.440'N and 123°16.778'W.”
Recommendation #2
Optimizing Hatchery Opportunity
Further, in order to focus harvest on abundant age 2 & 3 hatchery stocks available in the corridor and Southern Georgia Strait, the SFAB recommends the follow adjustment of minimum size in the corridor east of Cadboro Point:
That the minimum size limit for chinook in the southern Strait of Georgia chinook conservation corridor be lowered from 62 cm to 55 cm from April 1 – July 31. Data from logbook and Avid Angler programs indicates a significant percentage of the chinook encountered in the corridor during this time are hatchery origin fish slightly below the present inside waters minimum size limit, the same fish that are legal for retention on the other side of sub-area line originating from Cadboro Point.
Overview
Opportunity Costs vs Benefits
Other options modelled: During this process and with the assistance of DFO the SFAB has modelled other options. We do note that during our modelling exercise by using MSF as a tool
to drive harvest away from stocks of concern, that if the recreational fishery were to allow for the retention of 2 hatchery fish per day in many areas of SoG and Johnstone Strait that the increased impact on the CYER would be less than 1%. We have agreed that in the spirit of maximizing conservation benefit, and reducing our fishery to survival status we are bearing the brunt of conservation concern as required. We also suggest that there is opportunity to provide significant additional benefits for the future without significantly increasing impacts by optimizing the opportunity provided through MSF.
Long Term Planning
While the use of MSF as a conservation tool in specific times and areas in the current does achieve considerable conservation benefit to the stocks of concern. While it also maintains the bare minimum of opportunity and expectation required to enable the fishery to survive, it does represent a significant decrease in opportunity and does not allow for the fishery to even come close to achieving its potential benefit to Canadians.
The SFAB fully acknowledges this is necessary in order for the recreational fishery to bear its share of the brunt of conservation measures, however we suggest that Fraser River stocks of concern will not recover in the short term.
Therefore, the SFAB urges DFO to consider implementation of mass marking of hatchery produced salmon in BC to further drive harvest away from wild stocks of concern. By doing so DFO can in certain times and areas significantly increase mark rates without producing any additional hatchery fish. This would provide benefits to all Canadian Fisheries and promote conservation objectives to stocks of concern by removing the harvest of key stocks of concern.
SFAB Proposal 2019 Fraser Chinook
Fishery Scenario B
NBC AABM (Area F) Troll
Closed to July 10
WCVI AABM (Area G) Troll
Closed to August 1
Kamloops Lake Chinook Demonstration Fishery
Closed
NBC AABM
No measures proposed for Fraser chinook
NBC ISBM
No measures proposed for Fraser chinook
WCVI AABM (Areas 121 to 127)
No measures proposed for Fraser chinook
WCVI ISBM (Areas 20-1 to 27)
No measures proposed for Fraser chinook
Central Coast (Areas 7 to 11)
No measures proposed for Fraser Chinook
Johnstone Strait (Area 12)
a) Apr 1 to August 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries).
b) Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.
Strait of Georgia – North
Areas 13 to 17, 28, portion of 29 (29-1 and 29-2)
a) Apr 1 to August 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries).
b) Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.
Strait of Georgia – South
and
Juan de Fuca
Area 19-3 to 19-6, 20-3 to 20-7, Subareas 18-1 to 18-6, 18-9, 18-11, 19-5, and portions of 29-3 to 29-5 that lie southeasterly of a line from a point on the east side of Valdes Island located at 49°05.562'N and 123°39.989'W then extending approximately 57 degrees True to the
a) Apr 1 to July 31, 1 chinook/day; hatchery marked only
b) Aug 1 to Aug 29, 1 Chinook/day (with option for terminal fisheries)
c) Aug 30 to Dec 31, 2 Chinook/day.
North Arm Jetty Light located at 49°15.440'N and 123°16.778'W.”
Fraser River Tidal and Non Tidal and Sub area 29-6 to 29-10
a) Jan. 1 to August 23 , No fishing for salmon.
b) Aug. Aug 23 to December 31, 1 Chinook/day
Freshwater Regions 3,5,7 &8
c) closed to fishing for salmon except in some areas where fisheries on other stocks or species may take place.
South Coast
A) Fishing to FSC communal allocations as in previous years; marine FSC Chinook fisheries are largely terminal and directed at local Chinook stocks. No measures proposed for SCA First Nations chinook fisheries.
Lower Fraser
a) Jan. 1 to Aug 10, limited chinook directed FSC fisheries with effort limitations extended to Aug. 10 or bycatch during sockeye-directed opportunities
b) After Aug. 10, targeted chinook fishing or bycatch during sockeye-directed opportunities.
BC Interior - d/s of Thompson Confluence
a) Jan 1 to Aug 10 limited communal FSC fisheries. Time or gear restrictions.
b) After Aug 10, Directed chinook fishing or bycatch during sockeye-directed opportunities.
BC Interior - u/s of Thompson Confluence
Note: the only chinook in the area are Spring 52 and Summer 52 chinook.
Fisheries in the area constrained by preferred gear type or fishing times