Ah geez, here we go again! [xx(]
The Area G Troll Fleet (WCVI) happens to be one of the most aggressively regulated fisheries in Canada at this point. Just a few scant years ago, the fleet was comprised of literally hundreds of active trollers. Following several buy-back programs, and limiting openings to the point that the industry is now but barely viable, the fleet now numbers less than a hundred such boats.
Catch rates are severly restricted, and monitored on a daily basis (failure to comply results in charges or Licence suspension). These catch rates are defined by the Pacific Salmon Commission, in consultation with Stock Assessment, PSARC and overly reflective of concerns regarding "stocks of concern" (those with lower numbers). At ANY indication that such stocks might be intercepted, the related area is immediately closed to any extraction.
Historically, the fleet operated from ~ April 15 through to mid or late September, and was active the entire length of the WCVI (and in fact up around the top and down the inside as well). Today's openings begin in January (with extremely limited numbers) and have limited quota-based openings in February, March, April and into the first couple of days of May. Originally this design was implemented to address concerns regarding coho (then the openings extended into July), however each and every year the Dino comes up with a new "stock of concern" to further restrict operations.
A note for us sporties that should be understood by all:
Most of the stocks labelled of concern are NOT fished by any commercial operations at this point. The LARGEST hit those stocks take is from US (the sport fleet) and ongoing FN harvest regimes. The reason DFO limits the troll fleet is that is the easiest target for them to regulate (even while realizing internally that this effort will/does have extremely little impact towards reducing impact on troubgled stocks - but hey, at least the Appearance of doing Something is there to drag out when questioned in this regard!)
It is simply a matter of time before we too will be regulated to increasingly smaller openings, complete with individual catch quotas designed specifically to limit our activities on the water. That move is already afoot folks, this WILL happen, and WILL indeed impact all of us who ply the salt.
The WCVI troll fleet has been limited to targetting on US originating stocks for a considerable time now (under the auspices of the Salmon Commission, and much to the chagrin of southern west-coastal States). Impacts to our own fish are neglible via this particular sector, "our" fish are instead literally hammered while in Alaskan waters (which Washington obviously cannot control - they are indeed their own entity unto themselves when it comes to fisheries and many many other management areas).
In the days of hundreds of trollers hunting the coast through the much longer season, there was a possibility of over extraction occuring on a regular basis. With today's severely limited and quota based programs, that possibility is as close to nil as you and I catching a huge sturgeon out on La Perouse. The hook and line fishery this entails is more than sustainable, produces the highest quality product for market, and directly supports many (if not most) of our coastal communities. A far larger threat to the stocks is the net fisheries, both gillnet and seine, and of course in-river FN fisheries. If any future collapses are caused by excessive removal, that is where the problem will orginate, not with the troll fleet by any means!
Finally, the quota for May's opening was set at 10,000 chinook. The number (8,500) quoted above was based on the catch including the entire west side of the Island (basically from Hardy down through 123), and was IMHO an extrapolation based on erronous data. I sincerely believe that once all the numbers (real</u> that is) are added up corectly, the final tally will come in considerably less than that, and certainly so in the areas queried in the original post.
We, as sporties, have a LOT more in common with the troll fleet than many perceive. We hunt the same fish (albiet in differing time frames) with largely the same gear. And mark my words, we WILL be subject to the same type of restrictions these folks have had thrust upon them, and soon. Perhaps instead of whining about the supposed impacts of that fleet, we might want to open a dialogue with them, try to make them our allies, and LEARN from the disasterous restrictions imposed on them before it's too late for us!
Shakin' my ol' Noggin over here...
Nog
