Role Reversal: Selective Fishing Request

Here's an interesting twist on things: usually on the Skeena Fisheries Blog we are quick to criticize non-selective fishing methods used in the commercial fishery. Well, here is a Fishery Notice requesting recreational anglers on the Fraser river utilize such methods to avoid encountering sockeye which are below escapement requirements. Hopefully, the request is complied with or the next step of full closure will be taken.
The commercial sector will probably enjoy seeing this kind of extra measure on the recreational sector for a change.

Category(s): RECREATIONAL - Salmon

Subject: FN0614-RECREATIONAL - SALMON: Region 2 - No fishing for sockeye in Non-tidal Waters of the Fraser River

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Due to the extremely low abundance of sockeye and higher than average water temperatures the Department is taking additional action in fisheries that have
an impact on sockeye.

Effective one hour before sunrise on Wednesday August 12, 2009 until further
notice there is no fishing for sockeye (i.e. no catch and release) from the
downstream side of the CPR bridge at Mission upstream to the Alexandra bridge.

Fishing for pink (2 per day), chinook (4 per day with only one greater than 50
cm) and chum (2 per day) salmon is permitted from downstream side of the CPR
bridge at Mission upstream to the Alexandra bridge.

While fishing for pink, chinook and chum salmon, anglers should avoid using
fishing methods such as bottom bouncing that catch sockeye salmon and use
methods that are selective.
The first principle of selective harvesting is to avoid catching non-targeted
stocks. This means that anglers should use methods that do not catch sockeye.
The following fishing methods enable anglers to catch pink, Chinook and chum
salmon and avoid sockeye salmon interceptions:

Bar Fishing
Trolling Spoons at Creek mouths
Float Fishing
Pulling Plugs
Fly Fishing

We encourage anglers to continue to use these methods to target pink, chinook
and chum while avoiding sockeye.

The Department requests that selective fishing techniques be used and will
continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure sockeye encounters are
avoided.

If sockeye encounters are not reduced to ensure the adequate passage of
sockeye, then further actions such as spot closures or a "no fishing for
salmon" restriction may be implemented.
Variation Order Number: 2009-312

Notes:
The aggregate daily limit for all species of Pacific Salmon (other than
kokanee) from tidal and non-tidal waters combined is four (4).

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal
waters of British Columbia. This includes all species of fish in the Fraser
River.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Salmon Sport Head
Recovery program by labelling 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 at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

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 (800) 465-4336.

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