Lower Fraser First Nations could also say the same thing. Recreational openings were never going to open until First Nations' FSC fisheries begin, which took place last weekend.
In-season stock estimates are constantly changing as information comes in. When abundance is lowered after fisheries are opened, we cry mismanagement. When abundance is determined to be higher later on after all the fisheries are kept closed, we cry mismanagement. It's the nature of managing a fish population that is constantly on the move.
With that said, there are a couple of questionable actions. One is that in-season abundance was increased to 6. something million fish at one point but the Fraser River Panel refused to adopt it and still managed it at 5 million fish.
Secondly, it makes no sense that the saltwater recreational sector was able to retain 4 pink salmon per day in Area 29 and beyond outside of the Fraser River mouth while in-river fisheries (both recreational and FSC) remained closed.
I can only agree at 300% with you Rod!!!
I would also questioned commercial fishing (in Alaska mostly) and all their by-catch of Canadian salmon. The commercial fishery technology has changed significantly since the 70's-80's... their fishing capability (bigger boat, bigger net, better sonar, GPS, etc) to catch salmon (school) has increased drastically... this translate into the following:
- if salmon stock decreases, the effort to catch their quota (CPE) will remain "artificially" the same
- that quota, applied on a depleted stock, will have significant impact on the FW returns
- that quota, applied on an healthy stock, should be sustainable.
Are wild stocks depleted or healthy???