PACIFIC REGION INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN SALMON SOUTHERN B.C. JUNE 1, 2008 TO MAY 31, 2009 Oncorhynchus spp This Integrated Fisheries Management Plan is intended for general purposes only. Where there is a discrepancy between the Plan and the Fisheries Act and Regulations, the Act and Regulations are the final authority. A description of Areas and Subareas referenced in this Plan can be found in the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations. TABLE OF CONTENTS DEPARTMENT CONTACTS..........................................................................................................3 INDEX OF WEB-BASED INFORMATION ...................................................................................4 GLOSSARY.....................................................................................................................................8 1. MANAGEMENT CHANGES FOR 2008/2009......................................................................9 2. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................10 3. GENERAL CONTEXT .........................................................................................................10 3.1. Background.............................................................................................................11 3.2. Policy Framework for the Management of Pacific Salmon Fisheries...........................11 3.3. Conservation............................................................................................................12 3.4. Marine Mammal Management Plans .........................................................................15 3.5. First Nations and Canada’s Fisheries Framework.....................................................17 3.6. Scientific Support.....................................................................................................18 3.7. Pacific Salmon Treaty...............................................................................................19 3.8. Fishing Vessel Safety................................................................................................21 4. OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................21 4.1. Fishery Management Objectives for Stocks of Concern............................................21 4.2. First Nations Objectives...........................................................................................28 4.3. Recreational and Commercial Fisheries Objectives....................................................28 4.4. International Objectives............................................................................................28 4.5. Domestic Allocation Objectives................................................................................28 4.6. Compliance Management Objectives........................................................................28 4.7. Enhancement Objectives ..........................................................................................29 5. DECISION GUIDELINES AND SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES......................45 5.1. General Decision Guidelines.....................................................................................45 5.2. Chinook - AABM / ISBM Management...................................................................48 5.3. ABM Coho .............................................................................................................54 5.4. Fraser River Sockeye Decision Guidelines................................................................59 5.5. Barkley Sound Sockeye Decision Guidelines............................................................67 5.6. Okanagan Sockeye Decision Guidelines ...................................................................70 5.7. Johnstone Straight Chum Mixed-Stock Harvest Strategy...........................................70 5.8. Fraser River Chum Decision Guidelines....................................................................73 5.9. Area 14 Chum Decision Guidelines...........................................................................75 5.10. Area 16 Chum Decision Guidelines...........................................................................77 5.11. Area 17 Chum Decision Guidelines...........................................................................78 5.12. Area 18 Chum Decision Guidelines...........................................................................79 5.13. Area 19 Chum Decision Guidelines...........................................................................81 5.14. Nitinat Chum............................................................................................................82 5.15. Nootka Chum..........................................................................................................84 5.16. Nimpkish Chum Decision Guidelines.........................................................................86 5.17. Fraser River Pink Decision Guidelines.......................................................................87 5.18. Mainland Inlet Pink Decision Guidelines....................................................................87 5.19. Limited Effort Terminal Chum Fisheries.....................................................................88 6. 2008 SOUTHERN B.C./FRASER RIVER FIRST NATIONS FISHING PLAN (FSC FISHERIES ONLY) .......................................................................................................................90 6.1. Catch Monitoring and Reporting Initiatives................................................................90 6.2. Specific Conservation Measures...............................................................................90 6.3. Communal Licence Harvest Targets..........................................................................91 6.4. Aboriginal Commercial Fishing opportunities.............................................................92 6.5. Special Projects or Initiatives....................................................................................93 7. 2008 SOUTHERN B.C./FRASER RIVER RECREATIONAL FISHING PLAN..................94 7.1. Catch Monitoring and Reporting Initiatives................................................................94 7.2. Chinook...................................................................................................................95 7.3. Coho .......................................................................................................................96 7.4. Sockeye ..................................................................................................................97 7.5. Pink.........................................................................................................................97 7.6. Chum.......................................................................................................................97 8. 2008 SOUTHERN B.C./FRASER RIVER COMMERCIAL FISHING PLAN.....................98 8. 2008 SOUTHERN B.C./FRASER RIVER COMMERCIAL FISHING PLAN.....................98 8.1. Catch Monitoring and Reporting Initiative .................................................................98 8.2. Coded Wire Tag (CWT) sampling of Freezer Troll Catch.........................................98 8.3. Implementation.........................................................................................................99 8.4. Test Fishing/Use of Fish Arrangements.....................................................................99 8.5. Licence Application and Issuance...........................................................................100 8.6. Mandatory Log-Book and Phone-In Program........................................................100 8.7. South Coast Non-Retention Species.......................................................................101 8.8. Revival Tanks ........................................................................................................101 8.9. Gill Net Construction..............................................................................................101 8.10. Retention of Lingcod and Rockfish by Salmon Troll ................................................102 8.11. Selective Fishing and other Conservation Measures.................................................102 8.12. Catch Monitoring Standards...................................................................................103 8.13. Demonstration Fisheries .........................................................................................104 8.14. South Coast Net....................................................................................................104 8.15. Area G Troll (Outside Waters)...............................................................................109 8.16. Area H Troll (Inside Waters)..................................................................................111 9. 2007 POST-SEASON REVIEW.........................................................................................113 9.1. Conservation/Sustainability Objectives....................................................................113 9.2. First Nations Objectives.........................................................................................117 9.3. International Objectives..........................................................................................118 9.4. Domestic Allocation Objectives..............................................................................118