Sockeye forecast means big run
Keri Sculland, Alberni Valley Times, Thursday, May 05, 2011
For the second year in a row, fishermen are expecting a large sockeye run of 600,000.
This number could increase as it did last year, explained fisherman Bob Cole. He took part in the West Coast Harvest area 23 meeting on Tuesday, which provided the forecast for the season.
"On a big run, they come early," Cole said. "We're estimating a reasonable chinook season and a reasonable season all around"
Fisheries and Oceans Canada hasn't sent out a release yet to officially open the season, but Cole expects it will open at the end of next week, which is average.
"One of the models goes as much as 2.2 million, which is an absolute ridiculous number," Cole said. "I expect the rest to go over a million fish this year as the season assessment goes on."
It usually takes until the first week of July for experts to tell exactly how many fish will be in the run this year.
Years ago, the number of sockeye a person could catch was unlimited until DFO restricted it, but now, each person will most likely have a catch limit of two fish to begin with. That will probably increase to four per person by June, Cole explained.
"[Tuesday] we were told they're going to announce the sockeye retention as of next week," he added, saying that it would most likely be around Friday.
Cole said the sockeye season usually also means tourist season, because many people visit the Valley to fish and take charters.
"It's just good for everybody," he said. "It's great for tourists to come and it's great for the charter guys to bring their people out."
At Gone Fishin', manager Ryan Henri said putting a date to the beginning of the season typically gets people excited and purchasing fishing gear.
"It usually increases business big time," Henri said. "May 15 is a little early for guys to be out there, but it does get people excited and buying gear. A date gives people that excitement."
The beginning of sockeye season is the store's busiest time of the year. Henri said this time of year is typical for sockeye season to begin.
Salmon Season appears promising
Uploaded by ANewsVanIsland on 5 May 2011
PORT ALBERNI - Gear is flying off the shelves as anglers stock up for salmon season. Business is booming at Gone Fishin' in Nanaimo. Early numbers show a strong salmon season is drawing near.
It's still quiet on the docks at Harbour Quay Marina in Port Alberni. Sockeye season hasn't officially opened, but the salmon have begun to make their way into the Alberni inlet. Fishermen are anticipating a large run of more than 600,000 and upwards to one million sockeye.
