Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center
Subject: FN0825-Recreational - Salmon- Region 2 - Retention of Pink and Chum Salmon - Fraser River- August 31, 2013 Opening
Effective one hour before sunrise Saturday, August 31, 2013 until one hour
after sunset Tuesday, December 31, 2013 the waters of the Fraser River in
Region 2 upstream of the CPR bridge at Mission to Alexandria bridge are open to
the retention of four (4) pink salmon per day; and, two (2) chum salmon per day.
This area is further described in the 2013-2015 Freshwater Salmon Supplement or
online at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html
The recreational fishery for salmon in the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River
will open as noted below. The Department is planning fishery openings for more
abundant pink, chinook and chum salmon with a cautious approach to minimize
additional impacts on Fraser River sockeye. The Department's priorities are to
ensure that there is sufficient sockeye returning to the spawning grounds and
all fisheries are being managed to minimize sockeye impacts and provide
priority access to First Nations' fishing for food, social and ceremonial
purposes.
Anglers fishing for salmon in areas that are open to salmon fishing, are
required to take every measure possible to ensure that their fishing activities
avoid impacts on sockeye salmon. Any sockeye encountered must be released with
the least possible harm. Survival rates of sockeye released in this fishery
are expected to be high. The Department is continuing to monitor the Fraser
River to ensure compliance.
Recreational fishing opportunities for trout, steelhead and sturgeon and other
non-salmon species in this area remain open.
For more information on salmon fishing in Region 2 please visit:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html
Variation Orders: 2013-412 and 2013-413.
Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal
waters of British Columbia.
Anglers are requested to release any hatchery-marked sockeye. These fish are
hatchery raised sockeye and part of a recovery program designed to increase the
numbers of Cultus Lake sockeye.
The term "hatchery-marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the
adipose fin.
Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the 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
toll free 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
1-(866)431-FISH (3474).
For more information:
If you require further information, please call the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans, Lower Fraser River office at (604)666-8266.