Anglers face more fishing restrictions

A drastically-low return of chinook and sockeye salmon on the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers is prompting more restrictions on anglers.

A drastically-low return of chinook and sockeye salmon on the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers is prompting more restrictions on anglers.

Frank Quinn, the regional director for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, told the Star late this morning the department is implenting an order calling for zero catch, retention and possession for both species of salmon on both rivers.

He said there has not been a decision to close the popular Dalton Post fishing spot to all fishing, though it remains an option.

Technically speaking, he explained, if an angler was fishing at Dalton Post with a salmon rod, using salmon bait, he or she could not be charged, unless they had a salmon in possession.

“We do not need any indirect mortalities,“ Quinn said. “There are very serious conservation concerns right now.“

“We are hopeful that people understand the conservation needs and respect what we are doing.“

Quinn said the Klukshu River weir at Dalton Post has so far record three sockeye, when normally there would be 700 to 800 at this time in the early run.

There have been 34 chinook through the weir, when normally at this time of year, there would have been 500, he said.

DFO management biologist Sandy Johnston said earlier this afternoon he was scheduled to meet later today with an official from the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations to discuss the possibility of limiting the aboriginal food fishery on the Klukshu.

Johnston said an Alaskan colleague sent him a report last week indicating there’s been a failure of the salmon stocks in streams across the Yakutat coastal region.

This year’s dismal return comes as officials were anticipating a healthy return, as the 2003 and 2004 brood years for chinook and sockeye respectively showed strong spawning escapement.

An average return of chinook on the Tatshenshini is 1,500 fish, with a low of 568 recorded in 2006 and a high of 5,700 in 1995, Johnston explained.

He said the average return of early sockeye run is about 2,500, with a low of 181 in 1976 and high of 11,700 in 1992.

DFO has closed the commercial and domestic chinook fisheries on the Yukon River, has implemented a zero catch, retention and possession for the sport fishery. It has also closed Tatchun Creek to all fishing to eliminate the risk of anglers accidentally hooking a chinook.

The federal department has also asked first nations along the Yukon River drainage to reduce their annual catch by 50 per cent. The average annual catch for first nations in the river drainage is about 8,000, though last year’s catch was well below normal at between 4,000 to 5,000 chinook.

Reports from up and down the west coast are indicating this year’s return of salmon is down, and in some instances, is dismal.