Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing-related Issues & News => Topic started by: sim on March 11, 2014, 06:01:02 PM

Title: Selective Fishery - US bans gillnets from Columbia main stem
Post by: sim on March 11, 2014, 06:01:02 PM

a very interesting evolution down in the US for the Columbia river watershed, cutting down on gillnetting in the lower and more central sections of the river to reduce the deadly by-catch of steelheads and other protected fish as well as allocating more fish to the recreational fishing sector.

http://www.flyfisherman.com/2013/12/16/columbia-river-reboot/

There are few attempts in BC to replace the non-selective commercial fisheries (like gillnet fisheries at the mouth of the Fraser or Skeena) by more selective commercial fishery. This one by SkeenaWild is worth mentioning: moving the fishery in-river, where it's easier to target specific species and reduce the by-catch of endangered salmon/steelhead:

http://skeenawild.org/our-work/sustainable-fisheries/new-salmon-economy/

Title: Re: Selective Fishery - US bans gillnets from Columbia main stem
Post by: VAGAbond on March 19, 2014, 12:22:43 PM

In the earliest days of settlement, the native fishery employed estuary fish traps.   These were eliminated as the new settlers forced the natives out of the fishery. Traps however are much more selective than gillnetting or seining the approaches as you can be reasonably sure which run is passing when you activate the traps.  Further, with care, non-target fish can usually be released.

A return to traps has been advocated from time to time but no action has been taken, probably because it runs counter to the commercial gear investments.   It is still an option worth considering.

Good to see that our southern neighbours are taking action.