Fraser River fishery closed

More bad news for fishermen and plant workers from DFO this summer, as low returns of early sockeye salmon have forced DFO to close the Fraser river fishery to all participants.

The Fraser panel, which regulates the fishery, has decided not to allow any commercial fisheries by Canadian or U.S. fishermen. Recreational and native food fisheries in the Lower Fraser will also be closed.

The closure is subject to an ongoing review as fish enter the Fraser system and it's unsure how long the closure will last.

The Globe and Mail featured full details on the decision on its on line site.

Fraser River salmon fishery closed
Canadian Press
August 3, 2007 at 9:46 PM EDT

VANCOUVER — Fisheries officials have closed the Fraser River salmon fishery to all fishing because of low returns of early sockeye salmon.

Fisheries and Oceans spokesman Les Jantz said Friday the Fraser panel, which regulates the fishery, has decided not to allow any commercial fisheries by Canadian or U.S. fishermen.

He said recreational and native food fisheries in the Lower Fraser will also be closed.

Mr. Jantz said a revised forecast estimates only 230,000 salmon will return to the river this year, down sharply from previous estimates of more than 600,000.

Ernie Crey, senior advisor with the Stolo Tribal Council, said the impact will be profound on native communities that harvest along the Fraser River. “Most of these communities are small, impoverished villages and they depend on the sockeye runs for most of their annual protein,” he said.

He said the DFO authorized 12 hour opening of the aboriginal fisheries for Saturday, to harvest Chinook salmon only, using large mesh nets that must be tended full-time.

Different groups would be allowed to fish Chinook during allotted times, Mr. Jantz said.

The closure is subject to an ongoing review as fish enter the Fraser system. Mr. Jantz said he was unsure how long the closure would last.

“Now we don't have the abundance to support fisheries for sockeye so once we get to that point, then we will allow them,” he said.