'Thrilling start': Rare leisurely salmon fishing commences on a segment of the Fraser River
The Fraser River is once again teeming with life, as the annual sockeye salmon run returns in a cycle not seen since the late 1990s. The fishery, which opened recently, has brought both excitement and controversy, with not all parties satisfied with the rules set by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
The DFO has opened a recreational fishery in the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River, from the Mission bridge, upstream to Hope. Anglers, such as Andy Lewicki, who participated in the last open fishery on the Fraser River in 2022, find the two sockeye limit fair. However, commercial fishers and some First Nations have expressed dissatisfaction with the DFO's rules.
The fishery notice prohibits anglers from catching Chinook, Coho, or Chum salmon and using barbed hooks or bait. Anglers are also limited to catching two sockeye and four pink salmon per day. They must have a valid license to participate and fishing is allowed during daylight hours only.
The large run of Fraser River sockeye is attributed to combined efforts by provincial, federal, and First Nations authorities. According to Adam Kaiser, senior salmon advisor with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and chair of the Fraser River Panel, the return is estimated at about nine million fish, the largest since 2022.
However, the past three years have seen legal disputes between the DFO and commercial fishing associations such as the Fraser River Sockeye fishermen's groups over the Fraser River sockeye salmon catch. A retired commercial fisher and longtime member of the Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser Panel resigned over the government's sockeye management.
Anglers are advised to minimize or eliminate any gear conflict in the area open to the First Nations food, social, and ceremonial fishery. The fishery notice also advises anglers to take care in this area. Emily Yuan, an angler who expressed excitement about the first day of the fishery, as it was the first time she had fished in a long time, shared this sentiment.
The fishery remains open until Sept. 21, or until the DFO closes it. As the Fraser River continues to buzz with activity, it's clear that the annual sockeye run is a significant event for both commercial fishers and recreational anglers alike. The ongoing disputes serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing such a valuable resource.
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