Skeena River
Skeena River
Chilliwack Progress
Recreational fishing for all salmon — chinook, sockeye, pink, coho — on the Skeena and Nass Rivers is forbidden until further notice, and an announcement on possible closures or restrictions for salmon in the marine areas is coming soon.
“Everybody is going to be sharing some pain here,” said Colin Masson, North Coast area director for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Stan Doll, owner of Skeena Wilderness Fishing Charters, called the decision “devastating” for local businesses. He said the closure last year cost his company about $100,000, while DFO’s late decision damaged the area’s reputation with future clients.
“Bookings are way down because of last year, and now with it closed again this year I can’t see us doing any business at all until probably August.
“The next couple months are going to be zero.”
Doll said he felt adequately consulted but he and other guides were pushing for a catch-and-release program rather than a complete closure.
With poor anticipated returns for chinook and sockeye, DFO has decided to provide “absolute clarity” by restricting sport fishing for all salmon.
Read more here.