Recreational Halibut Fishery in BC – Your Input Matters

We left 147,000 lbs in the water for recreational halibut this past season.

That was directly due to the regulation choice made.

This is YOUR opportunity to let the SFAB know your preferences.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/halibutprioritiesv2

Over 40 years ago The SCOC  made it clear that after conservation requirements had been met,  the access priorities were First Nations, Commercial and Recreational angling in that order so whatever who said what in the Policy review committees, the principle is the same as it has been since the Sparrow case.

The Recreational sector produces so much more $ per fish than the commercial primarily because it spends so much more to catch far fewer fish. I think the GDP per fish metric is a cherry picked and distorted way to compare value of the 2 sectors. The commercial sectors catch also varies widely and in the last 10 to 15 years has seen it's catch limited by conservation demands. The major money commercial salmon fishery is sockeye and the 2 major runs, the Fraser and the Skeena have seen very poor returns in most years since about 2012.

There are some comparisons of the value of the 2 fisheries here: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/analyses-econom-analysis/fisheries-peches/multi-sector-secteur/pac-wild-fisheries-peches-sauvage/smon-bc-cb-eng.html

Such committees attract some participants that are radicalized and inclined to speak in a manner meant to shock members with opposing views. If you have ever sat in on Union management committees you may have seen this in action. Yet most participants from either side work to move things forward and find common ground.  I think given how challenged our salmon fisheries are it is a shame to see time and effort wasted bickering and mud slinging.

Additionally, from Pacific Angler's Weekly Blog
"Salmon Allocation Policy Review

If you fish or recreate in this Province, or hope to in the future, this is a MUST READ.

The Salmon Allocation Policy (SAP) is currently under review and DFO wants your input by Jan 9th.  I can’t say it any better than the words on this website, so I strongly urge you to visit Salmon Forever and read the SAP Discussion Paper and the SFAB SAP Review Submission.  The SFAB (Sport Fish Advisory Board) Review Submission should be your blueprint for providing your own feedback to DFO to the email provided on the website.

One of the ludicrous proposed changes is putting commercial fishing ahead of your public right to fish. In fact, it is that very right that is being contested by First Nations (FN).  The commercial sector has teamed up with First Nations, and they are proposing things will go as follows.  Conservation, First Nations Food, Social & Ceremonial (FSC), Commercial Sector, Recreational Sector.  I am good with the first two but putting the commercial sector in front of the public, aka recreational sector will be the end of your fishing and makes no sense financially.  The public delivers $693 GDP per salmon caught vs. the commercial $8 per salmon.  There is no doubt in my mind that FN is going to purchase licences or team up with the commercial sector to dominate that industry, in essence insuring their FSC needs are met first, then clean up the rest of the fish with the commercial boats.  Then if there are any fish left, the public might have some opportunity when and where they say and if they say.  That is literally what they have been demanding in the meetings.  They have also made it very clear that in their view, Canadian citizens have no right to fish, and it is their (FN) intention to have complete control over salmon and any potential fishing by Canadians. 

This whole process is about a lot more than salmon.  This is about Common Property Resource.  If Canadians lose that, in this case their right to fish, a precedent will be set, and this will affect your ability to do a lot of things above and beyond salmon fishing.  This is all about access to this province and country.  If you like any of the “ing” things like fishing, hiking, biking, camping, or just getting outside, you have been warned.  The First Nations are advocating for complete control.  That was made very, very clear to the SFAB in this process.

I know you don’t want to read these documents and send an email, especially during the holiday season.  This was planned this way, to make engagement and input as difficult as possible.  Keep in mind it took this closed-door process 7 years to get here, to the point it was released to the public, and now they are giving us 35 days to absorb it and email our input.  We all need to find the time to read these documents and send an email.  It will take less than 30 minutes, but the impact of the SAP will be felt for decades, remember that.

You will be hearing a lot more about this in the coming weeks, so until then.....

Jason Tonelli 

*Update - It has come to our attention that the email address included in the original letter and consultation document was incorrect. The correct address is:

DFO.SAPReviewBC-PASRevueBC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca           "

The proposed changes are vile, illogical and extremely concerning although not unexpected. This government has proven they do not care for the common folk. As if what has been lost the last 30 years has not been enough.

The current Fisheries and oceans Salmon Allocation Policy dating to 2018 is undergoing a review to reflect recent court decisions. Proposals have been made to remove the Sport and Recreational sectors priority access to Chinook and Coho and possibly set the Recreational sector to specific allocation which means that once that allocation is deemed to be achieved sport fisheries may be closed. It could see reopening of commercial fishing for coho and chinook in areas that have been closed for many years (ie the Strait of Georgia). The new policy also will very likely effect recreational opportunities in Freshwater.

A Public Discussion Paper has been issued and input from outside the 3 advisory boards is invited. A link as attached below as well as a link to the SFIBC website on the same topic:

FOC Discussion Paper: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619bf7c1ac6f813814418a02/t/6933cdb473d92158d7bc2bf7/1765002676848/BC+Salmon+Allocation+Policy+Review+Discussion+Paper_05-Dec-25.pdf


Sport Fishing Institute  of BC : https://www.salmonforever.ca/?mc_cid=c1b602e914&mc_eid=1cfce8a56b


 

plus it's closed all fishing from October 15 until July 1 above Othello.

uih I can remember when the season ended Sept 30th but the closure does not start Oct 15 either (though that may have been true at one time)

Quite a complicated set of regs and place names. Here is a direct copy from the current synopsis:


 COQUIHALLA RIVER  2-17
 No Fishing upstream of the northern entrance to the upper most railway tunnel, Nov 1-June 30 (see map on page 24)
 Fly fishing only; bait ban upstream of the northern entrance to the upper most railway tunnel, Jul 1-Oct 31
 No Fishing downstream of the southern entrance to the lower most railway tunnel, Apr 1-Oct 31
 No Fishing at Othello Tunnels from the northern entrance to the upper most railway tunnel to the southern entrance of the lower most tunnel;
approximately 700 m length
 Trout/char (including steelhead) catch and release, bait ban, downstream of the southern entrance to the lower most railway tunnel, Nov

this is very typical for the Coq. and typical to be able to see them. However more often than not it is very hard to get them to strike.


Remember as well above the canyon it is fly fishing only.

plus it's closed all fishing from October 15 until July 1 above Othello.

There was one pool alone that you can see from the highway when driving by that the count in there was 46 fish

this is very typical for the Coq. and typical to be able to see them. However more often than not it is very hard to get them to strike.


Remember as well above the canyon it is fly fishing only.

there are some steelhead fishermen that probably just had an aneurysm reading these posts

That's very good news, assuming it's accurate.