My report on the Area 14 Sports Fishing Advisory Committee is based on the draft minutes of the meeting because I was not able to attend. I apologize for my absence to our new chairperson Meghan Kolmeyer-Hurd.
One of the primary concerns to Area 14 anglers is the returns of salmon to our local hatcheries and enhancement facilities.
Puntledge River returns: In general the hatchery achieved all targets for hatchery needs with the exception of summer-run chinook, which continues to be a challenging goal. The Puntledge Hatchery enhances coho, chinook (fall and summer), chum, and pinks.
As of the meeting they had the following fry in the hatchery: 1,342,160 fall chinook, 523,120 summer chinook, 1,833,928 coho, 3,033, 670 chum, 2,457,567 Quinsam River pink stocks. An increasing concern is the slow decline in fall chinook returns even though they are meeting their targets.
Predation by harbour seals continues to be a severe problem for salmon in this system. It is estimated that 50 per cent of returning summer chinook are killed by seals. It is further estimated that 30 per cent of all out migrants of young salmon are killed by seals before they reach the relative safety of the open waters of the estuary. Also they carry out a lake enrichment program for Comox Lake with chum salmon carcasses in the feeder streams at the western end of the lake.
The Big Qualicum returns were: chinook 8,035 adults and 564 jacks, coho 8,035 adults and 3277 jacks, chum 27,288,pinks 4,244.
The Little Qualicum returns were: chinook 3,353 adults and 207 jacks, coho estimated at 1,170 in river and 631 in the channel, chum 12,244 in river and 12,214 in the spawning channel. The declines in returns of chum salmon to the Qualicum systems are a concern. On the bright side, a fair number of steelhead are being reported by river anglers.
Little River Enhancement Society Report: They are happy with a broad stock capture of 35 pairs of prime coho. Consensus is that the coho run in this small system was better than usual with many marked adults. They have 21,378 clipped coho smolts ready for release, 200,000 chum eggs for incubation and release. They have received extra funding from the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the Royal Bank Blue Water Funds to upgrade their operation.
Nile Creek: One million Quinsam pinks to be released into the system this spring, 250,000 Quinsam pinks to be released in the Deep Bay sea-pen. One million pink fry will also be released into the Englishman River from their hatchery.
Oyster River Enhancement Society: They had a return of 700 chinook and have collected 65,000 eggs also a return of 9,000 coho. In April 2010 they released 45,000 coho smolts, 142,000 fry in June, 45,000 smolts ponded for 2011 release and 180,000 eggs collected last fall.
This fall 29,000 pinks returned to the river and collected 430,000 eggs. They have 200,000 Puntledge River chum eggs in the hatchery for release as fry this spring and are trying to get a steelhead enhancement program going for the Oyster River.
Fanny Bay Enhancement Society: 58,000 fin clipped Rosewall coho to be released as smolts from 2009. Currently incubating 120,000 Rosewall coho eggs and 10,000 Wilfred Creek from 2010 brood. They also have 26,000 Rosewall chums and one million 2010 pink salmon eggs for Wilfred and Chef Creeks.
Tsolum Hatchery: One million pink salmon fry to be released into Tsolum River soon.
Area 14 salmon forecast: Overall the forecast for all species in local waters is not positive. Look for more non-retention regulations on coho for local fisheries. Seals continue to be a serious issue in rebuilding Puntledge salmon stocks.
Ray Schaefer put forward a detailed plan for a rowboat fishery in 14-14 modeled after the Tyee Pool fishery in Campbell River. His plan needs considerable study before any implementation, but a tip of the hat for his initiative.
Halibut: The proposed 12/88 halibut plan from DFO is causing much discussion from our sector and I will give a full report on events up to date in my March 11 column.
Strait of Georgia Lingcod/ Rockfish: No significant changes in our waters at this time.
Dogfish limits reduced from 20 to four with a possession limit of eight.
Shellfish regulation package: clarification of rot chord on traps, proper weights on lines to sink lines attached to floats.
In prawn and crab fisheries there are on-going discussions with DFO and other user groups about where, when and how we will fish these species in the future.
Herring are starting to arrive in Baynes Sound and throughout Area 14 waters. No changes in recreational regulations were reported.