Regulations for cleaning Salmon

[Krazy norwegian]

Hi,

I am trying to determine how I need to clean my Salmon caught in Barkley sound. In past years, the charter boats I have seen seem to fillet the fish normally, i.e., fillet with no head or tail. But the regulations are a little confusing. Do I need keep the head and tail on Springers?? What about Coho??

Any help is appreciated as I want to ensure I transport properly.

Krazy Norwegian

 

[chinook]

chinook and coho you should leave the tail on one fillet. 2 fillets per salmon, within reg size of each species.

 

[Deewar25]

Yes, you are 'supposed' to keep the tail, preferably still have it attached to the fillet - either way is fine, as long as they can ID...I assume skin should stay on as well. That's a nono if the charter guys are doing that, but normally they wouldn't fillet unless you special request.

You don't need the head attached as long as it meets minimum size with head off. I guess officially as well, you are supposed to have each one in a separate bag, with all the information labelled, but I'd be amazed if anyone was actually that anal and I can't see fisheries fining you if you have the basics and ID was obvious.

 

[victoriaboater]

If you are in a place where DFO could show up leave the head and tail on. You need to be able to identify species and length if you are stopped and checked.

I normally just bleed on the boat and gut the fish at the marina. That way I find the meat is in better shape when I get it home and I have crab bait for next time.

 

[Chinookie]

From the BC Rec Fishing Guide

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/KeyPoints/packaging_e.htm

 

[Krazy norwegian]

Thank you for the responses. That answers some of my questions. Here are a few more:

1) In Barkley, only one Springer can be greater than 77 cm. This really is not a maximum requirement that the regulation states but doesn't this mean all heads have to be on to ensure the requirement is met??
2) For Coho, do I have to prove that it is not a wild one by leaving the adipose fin on?? I normally filet the fins off.
3) There are differences in Barkley for inside versus outside, so the way I filet can depend on where I catch them. But this does not seem to be enforceable.

Krazy Norwegian

 

[Sitkaspruce]

When I was a DFO officer we used to have some basic measurements for filets, say 38 cm long if the min size was 45cm, same for coho. We also used to ask the angler, if they can id the fish, then we were ok with what they did. Just remember that the easier it is for them, the less hassel and easier it will be for you.

As for the new regs, with different size limits and hatchery vs wild, if you do catch a hatchery coho, I would leave whole until home. Also remember to leave a small piece of skin attached for each of the filets on cod, hali and such.

If in doubt, ask the office in Port. Also, if you do get checked, ask the officer to give you a note stating the time, location, area of the check and the officers name. It does come in handy if you get stopped again.

Cheers

SS

 

[daddystoy]

At Englefield and North Island Lodge fish are packaged with the head off but tail on. I would think if it's okay for lodges to transport this way it should be okay for you. If it works for you take a vacuumn sealer with you and vac pack and freeze them right away.

After clicking on the regs now I'm confused. Might be worth making a phone call to dfo to clarify