Sockeye run upgraded to 1.4 million and DFO sets longer openings for seiners
Fisheries and Oceans Canada sets longer openings for seiners, aboriginal and commercial gillnetters
Shayne Morrow, Alberni Valley Times, Monday, July 11, 2011
Net-fishing activity for Somass River sockeye has ramped up on the Alberni Inlet following last week's in-season re-forecast to 1.4 million fish.
It's more than double the preseason estimate of 600,000 and some observers believe the 2011 run could approach or even exceed last year's 1.6 million. Sport fishing representative Bob Cole said the sheer abundance of fish can create headaches.
"There's a lot of net activity and the fish aren't filling in, so the sport guys aren't catching anything," Cole said.
But with sockeye escapement estimated at 528,000, divided fairly evenly between Sproat and Great Central Lakes, there is a concern that escapement could exceed the rearing capacity of the lakes, Cole said, so increasing the net catch is important.
"It's great that there are so many fish, but we do have to protect our sport/tourist fishery," Cole said. "We've lobbied to set aside some area for sport fishermen."
Following release of the figures on Thursday afternoon, Fisheries and Oceans Canada authorized a one-week Area B seine fishery, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, from the Clock Tower in Port Alberni Harbour to Dunsmuir Point. During last week's two-day seine opening, 20 vessels caught 102,966 fish, for a season total of 129,730.
Area D gillnetters began fishing at 2 p.m. Friday and will fish through Wednesday. Fishing from July 5 through 8, Area D gillnetters brought their total catch to 71,825 fish.
"There were no gillnetters at our Thursday
They were all too busy fishing," Cole observed.
Aboriginal gillnetters will operate in both Alberni Inlet and in the Somass River, and may contract a seiner.
On Friday, fish buyer Saanich Holdings set up early last week at Clutesi Haven Marina, had set up at Paper Mill Dam Park, purchasing sockeye from the communal drag seine fishery. This year, elders who receive fish are legally entitled to sell them directly to licensed buyers, and many took advantage of the program.
"We've set up here for the weekend," buyer Bill Heer said. "We'll be here whenever they're fishing."
As elders brought in their fish, Jerilynn Ericson tallied the number of fish and the total weight. On Friday, the fish averaged out at about 4.5 pounds. Heer said his company was still paying $1.50 per pound for fish in the round.
"There's a lot of fish in Alaska, that's why," he explained. "I've been doing this 20 years. Last year was the biggest sockeye run I've ever seen, and this run could reach the same size."
Through July 6, DFO estimated that the sport fishery accounted for about 37,580 fish -32,341 in the ocean and 5,239 in the tidal-water fishery.
Test seining through July 5 indicated 30,000 to 35,000 sockeye in the upper Inlet and 20,000 to 30,000 in the outer Inlet and Barkley Sound.
