Sockeye Run Reaches One Million

By David Wiwchar PORT ALBERNI — Fisheries and Oceans Canada have almost doubled their original sockeye prediction, but First Nations are still left out of the picture.

After a test fishery earlier this week, DFO now estimates there are 1.1 million sockeye salmon returning to the Stamp Somass systems.

One month ago, the prediction was 600,000 fish, and local advisory board member Bob Cole thinks another test fishery next week will bump the final forecast up to 1.25 million fish.

Local First Nations leaders are upset the entire increased quota will go to commercial gillnetters and seiners, as federal fisheries managers are refusing to give any of the additional fish to Aboriginal gillnetters.

Tseshaht Chief Councillor Les Sam said if First Nations were given a full third of the allowable catch as DFO originally promised, that would mean 200,000 fish, far above the 63,000 sockeye allocated.

Sam, who called DFO's refusal to negotiate a sales agreement or an increased quota “unbelievable,” said local First Nations will continue fishing under their own management plan, which allows gillnetting two—days a week, and a communal fishery at Paper Mill Dam once a week.

“This could be a model fishery here, with the recreational, commercial, and Aboriginal sectors all sitting at the same table, but DFO has dropped the ball,” said Sam. “We believe in community based management that benefits the entire community, but the will isn’t there from DFO.”

Commercial Gillnetters get a 12–hour opening as of 6 p.m. Sunday, so late returning sports boats will need to watch out for their nets.

Seiners start their 24–hour fishery at 11 a.m. Monday. The gillnetters are allowed 40,000 fish, while the seiners have a quota of 65,000.