Fraser sockeye salmon fishing vessel. (Photo: Youtube/fishingwithrod)

DFO faces criticism after record salmon run

CANADA
Monday, August 30, 2010, 21:50 (GMT + 9)

With the biggest sockeye salmon run in 100 years, many depending on the fishery are reaping the benefits. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has now authorised two more commercial openings for gillnetters, with one 24-hour fishery starting Monday, and another 12-hour opening Wednesday.

Earlier this year, the fishery had obtained Marine Stewardiship Council (MSC) certification. This had caused a huge backlash from environmentalists concerned over the state of the fishery, many of which questioned the MSC's credibility.

Aside from the numerous reports of fishermen feeling the economic benefits of this year's successful run, its effects have also had positive repercussions in the processing industry.

The Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco) is receiving so much salmon that it’s sending Fraser River salmon to its Prince Rupert cannery, which otherwise would be virtually shut down, reports The Province.

“We haven’t been this busy in the last 10 years,” said Rob Morley, vice-president of Canfisco.

The Vancouver-based company has its two of its plants operating seven days a week, 12 to 14 hours a day, with 350 workers. In Prince Rupert, over 400 workers are employed at the cannery.

The DFO had forecast returns of 10.6 million fish this year, however current figures stand closer to 30 million.

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Conservative MP and experienced commercial fishermen John Cummins has criticised the DFO for delaying the fishery, The Victoria Times Colonist.

"People are just disgusted with the way they've managed this, these guys haven't a clue," said Cummins.

The Delta-Richmond East MP says reports of a large return of Fraser River sockeye started appearing three weeks ago, however the industry had to sit on the sidelines since the fishery was not opened.

"I think there needs to be a huge housecleaning at the department and I think we need to start again. I think we ought to be looking to Alaska and trying to encourage some of the folk managing the fishery so successfully there to give us some advice on how to do it here," said Cummins.

Carl Walters of the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre estimates that a third of the sockeye will be lost due to the delay in opening the fishery. He also said the DFO was overly cautious and waited until they were sure they had sufficient numbers of fish returning.

Fishermen "probably should have harvested 80 per cent of the fish; instead, they'll be lucky if they get 30 per cent. Ten million of the fish will be lost. They'll die [where they return to spawn],” he said.

He claims that the over-abundance of fish in spawning grounds will force salmon to lay their eggs on top of others already there and flood the spawning areas with dead fish.

Adding to the criticism are trawlers on Vancouver Island's west coast who have been shut out of the sockeye euphoria.

The vessels have not been allowed to catch the sockeye while they were still in the ocean because they already had the chance to catch the less valuable chinook earlier this year.

Related articles:

- Fraser sockeye returns reach 100-year record
- Fraser sockeye salmon fishery opens
- Fraser River sockeye salmon fishery gets MSC certification

By Michael Loubet
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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