Johnson Promises ~o-oP-eration The United Fishermen and "Your president played a key d eve Io ped b y fis h ermen ;;;:; · .,, t the resource becomes more critical Allied Workers' Union has been role in the work of that committee themselves." and difficult. promised more input into West of fishermen's representatives PLEASANT SURPRISES "Your union exists in order to coast fishery policy decision mak- who are coming to grips with one Dr. Johnson said 1980 is ensure that your members get a ing. of the most difficult problems in "shaping up as a relatively Jean fair share of the fishery harvest - Dr. Wally Johnson, Fisheries the management of the salmon year for the commercial fishery". that makes sense. and Oceans Pacifie Region fisheries." He said, however, "This isbas- "Our department exists to en­ director-general, told the union's The committee is currently ed on present expectations and, as sure that the · resource is conserv­ an nuai convention that great drafting a report, complete with you ail know, we will not know ed, protected and managed in a strictes have been made in the past recommendations, and the ad- until the seasons are underway manner which will ensure a max­ year. visory council will soon be called and see what actually arrives. imum potential for rich harvests He said the most significant ac- upon to "begin action toward "Hopefully, we might have in the years ahead. And that too complishment, among man y, was resolving the difficult problems some pleasant surprises." makes sense." UFA WU participation on the associated with th<r competition But years of low expectations Fisheries Advisory Council corn- between gear typeS,,, said Dr. "are tough for ail of us," said Dr. There'll be no blackcod alloca­ mercial salmon catch division Johnson. Johnsorr, adding: tion to foreign fleets in 1980, he committee. "They are tough for you told delegates. The advisory council was set up "lt is most apprôpriate that because it affects your incarnes. It Dr. Johnson saià - a blackcod a year ago to develop better long recommendations for resolution is tough for us as managers of the Continued on Page 2 term fisheries planning, he said. of this problem are bei[\g resouraes because conservation of DR. WALLY JOHNSON See "Co-operatin" IN THIS ISSUE: Fisher iz·'rn's • Salmon Expectations • Seine Pooling • Herrilig Review . fNewsletter • Ministries Guard Fleet 1+ Gov. of Canada: Fisheries & Oceans February 1980 Volume 2 Number 7 PSFC Fraser River Sockeye Changes -, The International Pacifie Adjustments in fishing tirnes Salmon Fisheries Commission has may be necessary during the modified the 1980 regulations season to allow for possible varia­ governing Fraser River sockeye tion in the number of fishing salmon fisheries in Convention boats and to meet individual racial .. Waters. escapement requirements, said the The change, made in response Continued on Page 4 Patrol ship TANU cruises off the West Coast. to a request from the Department See "Sockeye Changes" of Fisheries and Oceans, affects troll fishing closures in waters of Areas 17 and 18 east of the Gulf Grey Ghost.Fleet Rescue Islands between Aguust 10 and 20.3 M There's a Grey Ghost fleet which normally police Canada's where they won't overlap Cana­ October 4. The change encom­ sailing off the West coast. And fishing grounds and keep both dian Coast Guard duties. The rest passes only the waters east of a Halibut seamen - commercial and Canadian and foreign fishermen of the fleet also carries rescue line from Thrasher Rock to pleasure craft sailors alike - are honest. gear. Salamanca Point to East Point glad it's there. Five of the Department's patrol With the hazardous roe herring and due south to the International Limit But until a sailor pushes the vessels are specially equipped to season about to begin in early Boundary. SEATTLE - The International Save-Our-Souls button, he's handle Search and Rescue (SAR) March, ail 33 grey ghost skip­ Applying only to 1980, the Pacifie Halibut Commission usually not aware the ange! fleet under any weather conditions as pers ask herring boats to observe change provides an opportunity to (IPHC) will recommend to the exists. well as carry out their main task of the following safety rules and the traditional local troll fishery governments of Canada and the If he does know about it, he managing the fishing grounds. precautions: for other species in a narrow area United States that halibut catch usually dislikes it until he needs it. They're out there 24 hours per • Travel in groups to and from between the line and the Gulf limits totalling 20. 3 million The fleet is sizeable. It's made day, seven days per week, carrying the fishing grounds. Use the Islands - subject to the re­ pounds be set for 1980. up of 33 vessels of various sizes - out their dual role. The special 'buddy' system; quirements of the Department. This represents a small reduc­ patrol craft: Department of five patrol the busiest areas where Continued on Page 2 The Commission was advised of tion in the catch limits from the Fisheries and Oceans patrol craft their efforts are most needed and See "Grey Ghost Fleet" the establishment of a new sub­ Bering Sea and western Aleutian area 7D by the Washington State areas where stock condition is Fisheries Department and includ­ poor. ed this Area in the regulatory The IPHC is responsible for McGrath Attacks schedule for 1980 in United States management of the halibut fishery Convention Waters. in the Pacifie Ocean and the Ber­ - -~1can Proposai The Commission noted con­ ing Sea on behalf of the two cerns of the Advisory Committee governments. heries and Oceans Minister outlines the flows and levels members about the need for Stock assessment information ; McGrath has reiterated his necessary to sustain sa\mon runs greater participation of West presented by the Commission's concern over the danger to in the threatened areas. Coast troll fishermen in regulatory scientific staff indicates that the r and Skeena River salmon He said Dr. Wally Johnson, Vi management of sockeye and pink stocks of halibut continue below t- ies if the Aluminum Com­ w Vl Paci fic Region direct or general salmon. The Commission will levels required to produce the of Canada proceeds with its for fisheries management, has watch the troll catch of sockeye in maximum sustained yield and that c.'.. V> al hydro-electric generating :,.;: already met with senior Alcan of­ 1980 for any unusual the abundance of juvenile halibut w sion plan at Kemano. I 0 ficiais and further technical developments, and it is starting remains low. · V) <I' ll proposai would critically meetings are planned. planning for a co-ordinated troll The Commission reiterated its .... 0 fish habitat and salmon u. >- c. Dr. Johnson also has held regulation in both Canadian and continuing concern over the in­ ("( 1ction by changing water 1 United States waters in the 1981 Continued on Page 2 u. <% 0 G , levels and temperatures in discussions with provincial of­ a:: ']° fishing season. a important rivers, the ficiais to outline the department 's See "Halibut Limit" V)O)N concerns, said McGrath. Fisheries . ~ ..... <t .er said . t- o ..J l 1- !Cause the salmon are a staff will continue to work with o. the provincial government and its IJJ co V> 0 u y valuable, renewable Policy Affects Dam a O ·ce the department must agencies as the province considers Alcan 's proposais. Construction of new hydro-electric generating facilities at a: ,_. S ~ ci 1ue to give this problem a Kemano won't be allowed without a full public inquiry, provin­ ...J wu. r high priority," said McGrath emphasized that O <t ath, adding that the salmon "protection of the valuable cial Energy Minister Bob McC!elland said in early February - ~ ::: ~ 1 :: ations must not only be Pacifie Salmon resource is a just days after issuing a new B.C. energy policy statement. u u. en ::.:.. ained but also protected for responsibility of my office which 1 But, despite the statement, it remains unclear who will build 1uLu11. growth. must exercise in working toward a the project - B.C. Hydro or Alcan - if it goes ahead. The McGrath said a detailed, seven­ solution satisfactory to my depart­ policy statement says Hydro will have a monopoly over hydro­ volume report published by the ment, Alcan and the provincial electric developments. department last year clearly government." ~79 Roe Haul dissappointing Recommendations Last year's North Coast roe double the average for the same ching 9,555 tons Jess than For The 1980 herring fishery was a disappoint­ time period. In contrast, the Nor­ predicted. Fishermen landed ment compared to past years. thern District (Areas 3, 4, 5) had 29,145 tons of roe herring. The season, which began at good spawn and double the Problems with fleet size and im­ Pacifie Halibut Fishery pact of large seine vessels on the Naden Harbour in mid-February 1971-78 average. 1. The catch Jimit in Area Halibut 2 will be 9.3 million pounds, of and closed at Kitkatla Inlet, April The Central Coast was also a fishing-spawning grounds were prevalent throughout this area. which 6.1 million pounds will be taken in Canadian waters and 3.2 1, saw a total catch of 13,876 tons major disappointmer\t. Due to million pounds will be taken in United States waters. There will be a - down considerably from 35,181- low stock levels, no roe fishery The planned catch division was 55-45 but due to a lack of a seine succession of four fishing periods alternated with closed periods tons (1978), 33,463 (1977), 34,156 was conducted.