Pacific Salmon Treaty Negotiators Reach Agreement
July 2, 2008
(Juneau) – The Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) today announced an agreement on a ten-year extension of fishery arrangements under the Pacific Salmon Treaty. The agreement addresses a number of salmon fisheries in Southeast Alaska, including those near the British Columbia/Alaska border and on several rivers that cross between the two countries.
The Pacific Salmon Treaty, first signed in 1985, is a bilateral agreement under which the U.S. and Canada co-operate on management, research and enhancement of Pacific salmon that swim through the waters of both countries. Under the treaty, fishery arrangements put in place in 1999 expire at the end of December, 2008.
“Ten years ago, the commission had a much more difficult time reaching agreement, and the final negotiations had to be conducted at a government-to-government level,” David Bedford, Alaska’s representative on the PSC, said. “This time, the Commissioners, along with stakeholders and fisheries management staff up and down the coast, worked hard to conclude an agreement within the Commission process, and this ensured participation by the state and the affected people, organizations and communities.”
“Throughout nearly two years of negotiations, the State of Alaska worked in close coordination with fishery representatives,” he continued. “While we had to make some sacrifices to reach this agreement, we were convinced that this is a responsible agreement that provides stability for our fisheries and helps ensure the long-term health and sustainability of shared salmon resources.”
For Chinook salmon, the most complex of the species covered under the treaty due to the geographic scope of their migration, the revised agreement:
- maintains the fundamentals of the abundance–based management system established in 1999, which mandates that harvests vary up and down with productivity of the stocks, and has provided substantial benefits to Alaska fisheries.
- recognizes that Chinook stocks in the area covered by the treaty vary in status with many being healthy and abundant while others are considered to be stocks of concern.
- recognizes the depressed status of a number of stocks originating in southern B.C. and the U.S. Pacific Northwest (some of which are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act), and reduces the allowable Chinook catch levels for fisheries in in fisheries off the west coast of Vancouver Island in B.C. by 30%, and in Southeast Alaska by 15%.
- requires the Commission to review the need for the continuation of these levels of reduction in 2014.
- contains provisions to fund and conduct important programs to obtain additional information critical to conservation and fisheries management which will be of value in the 2014 review. The funding includes $10 million over 5 years to better account for salmon escapement and $15 million for improvements in fishery monitoring.
“The catch reduction is a tough position for us to accept,” said Bedford, “but those of us who have been working hard on these talks, including representatives of southeast Alaskan fishing interests, recognized that there are expressed conservation concerns for a number of stocks and that reaching an agreement that mandates additional monitoring and analysis of these stocks should help answer questions about their status and significantly contribute to the review of the reduction that will take place in 2014.”
For other Alaskan fisheries covered by the Treaty, the agreement revises fishery provisions for terminal area and in-river sockeye, coho, and Chinook fisheries on the Stikine, Taku, and Alsek rivers. The agreement builds upon the current abundance-based management system for conservation and harvest sharing, provides for additional harvest opportunities for sockeye through responsible stock enhancement on the Taku and Stikine rivers, and addresses possible future opportunities for fisheries on the Alsek River after coordinated stock assessment work.
For relevant fisheries in the boundary area between northern British Columbia and southern Southeast Alaska, negotiators recognized that the fishery arrangements established in 1999 are working well, and the new agreement extends those terms for another ten years. Key provisions in this area relate to the catch ceilings established for some B.C.-bound sockeye stocks harvested in the commercial seine fishery near Noyes Island and the commercial gillnet fishery at Tree Point.
The Pacific Salmon Commission action is a recommendation to the U.S. and Canadian governments for formal approval. There are domestic processes in the respective countries that will take place in ensuing months, with the goal of having the revised fishery arrangements in place by January 1, 2009. In the U.S., the process for final approval by the State Department includes analysis by the National Marine Fisheries Service that the fishery arrangements meet Endangered Species Act requirements.
Related posts
Angler Trumps New State Record for African Pompano
June 30, 2008
A Mt. Pleasant angler has broken the saltwater marine game state record for an African pompano a mere 13 days after the 11 year record was recently trumped.
Bryan Powell caught the 43 pound 8 ounce African pompano on Monday June 16th off the coast of Charleston near the Comanche hole in about 100 feet of water. The new record beat the previous record set a mere 13 days earlier by angler Steve Bagnall of Vancouver WA on June 3rd by five and a half pounds.
Powell, 38, headed off shore with owner and charter boat captain of Yates Sea Charters, David Yates, on his twin engine 31′ Contender. Powell was enjoying the day fishing with his father, Mike Powell visiting from Arlington, Texas. The record fish was landed in about 20 minutes using a 7 foot Star rod paired with a Baitrunner Shimano reel and using a menhaden for bait. Captain Yates was aware of the record African pompano caught just days before by angler Bagnall, and knew this monster had a good shot at tipping the scale to make this the new state record fish. The fish was weighed in at Mt. Pleasant Seafood on their certified scale by Joe Shisko, a fish monger at the fish house. Fisheries Biologist and State Record Marine Game Fish Program Coordinator Amy Dukes verified the new state record the following morning.
Current listing of S.C.’s State Record Marine Game fish
Contact Program Coordinator Amy Dukes with the Office of Fisheries Management at (843) 953-9365 or email DukesA [at] dnr [dot] sc [dot] gov for more information.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
Related posts
Smallmouth Bass Assessment Underway on West Branch of Susquehanna
June 27, 2008
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is reminding anglers to report tagged smallmouth bass in order to help the agency with a population assessment on a section of the lower West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
The commission is currently conducting the assessment and an angler survey on about seven miles of the lower West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the vicinity of Muncy downstream to Montgomery, Lycoming County.
“The population assessment portion will evaluate smallmouth bass population size and size structure, while the angler survey portion will measure angler catch and harvest for the period of June through September 2008,” said Dave Miko, chief of the Division of Fisheries Management. “Creel clerks are collecting the angler survey data by interviewing anglers at access areas. The results of the study will provide important information that will help guide future management efforts on the river.”
Biologists are using a mark-recapture method to estimate the smallmouth bass population. During this process, biologists tag and release a large number of smallmouth bass.
A toll-free telephone number and unique serial number are printed on each tag. The tags resemble an orange strand of “plastic spaghetti” located on the fish’s stomach area (see photo below). The tag strand contains a tag number and a toll-free telephone number where tags can be reported. It is not necessary to harvest fish to report the tags. The tag numbers simply need to be recorded and anglers can release tagged bass unharmed. Anglers should not pull the tag out of the fish because doing so may injure the fish.
The tags are specially designed so that bass which are caught multiple times can be reported. Each tag contains two sets of serial numbers. The first time a tagged bass is captured, and an angler intends to release the fish, the angler can clip off the outermost portion of the tag at the dark separator mark and leave the inner portion of the tag containing duplicate information. If the bass is captured a second time, the remainder of the tag can be removed and the fish released.
Anglers harvesting bass should look for both the spaghetti tag as well as a small anchor button under the skin when filleting, as they may have taken a bass that was caught and released twice before and no longer bears an external tag. Those finding anchor buttons should also call the toll-free phone number printed on the button.
This study will complement two large-scale river angler surveys that the PFBC has undertaken on large rivers in the past decade. In 2007, the PFBC partnered with Penn State and Colorado State universities to conduct angler surveys on about 130 miles of the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers. The survey was designed to measure catch, harvest, economic expenditures and angler opinions associated with fishing on sections of the two rivers for the period April through October.
In 2002, Pennsylvania partnered with New Jersey, New York, and Delaware to measure catch and harvest of all fish species on the Delaware River and Delaware Estuary. That survey revealed significant recreational activity on that river. The Delaware River survey documented that approximately 120,000 angling trips occurred on the tidal and non-tidal portions of that river combined from March 17 through October.
The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. Please explore our website for more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania.
Related posts
DNREC to Host July 7 Public Hearing on Proposed Revisions to Shad and River Herring Management Plan
June 17, 2008
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife, will host a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 7 in the DNREC auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, regarding proposed revisions to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has developed a public information document (PID) as the first step to drafting an amendment in response to the findings of the 2007 benchmark stock assessment for American shad, which indicates that American shad stocks are currently at all-time lows and do not appear to be recovering.
Specific issues addressed are: (1) incorporating the biological reference points and stock restoration goals identified in the 2007 benchmark stock assessment; (2) not increasing directed fisheries for American shad; and (3) restricting fisheries operating on stocks where total mortality is increasing and relative abundance is decreasing. The PID has been developed to address these issues by seeking public comment on the restoration of American shad fisheries and American shad fisheries management.
The PID presents a broad overview of the factors affecting American shad, and provides the public with the opportunity to tell the Commission about changes observed in the fishery; things that should or should not be done in terms of management, regulation, enforcement, research, development, and enhancement; and any other concerns about the resource or the fishery. Other coastal states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia will also be holding public hearings on the proposed changes.
Following the initial phase of information-gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a draft amendment for public review. Following that review and public comment, the Commission will specify the management measures to be included in the final amendment. A tentative schedule for the completion of the amendment is included in PID.
Copies of the PID may be obtained by contacting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission at 202-289-6400 or by visiting its website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News.
Citizens may address comments in writing to Erika Robbins, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005, fax to 202-289-6051, or email to comments [at] asmfc [dot] org, subject line American shad. Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, July 25.
Related posts
Situk River King Salmon Sport Fishery to Start With Non Retention For Large Kings in 2008
June 9, 2008
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that any king salmon landed in the Situk River that is 20 inches or greater in length must be immediately released beginning at 12:01a.m., Monday, June 9. The bag limit for king salmon less than 20 inches in length is 10 fish. These regulations will remain in effect until the 2008 large king salmon run strength is determined with more certainty.
The forecast of large king salmon returning to the Situk river in 2008 is 717 large fish (large fish are 3 ocean age and older). The escapement goal range is 450 to 1,050 large king salmon. Based upon this preseason forecast, fishery managers project the actual escapement to be greater than 450 large fish but less than 730 large king salmon. At this escapement projection, the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet and Lost River King Salmon Fisheries Management Plan directs the department to restrict the sport harvest of king salmon in the Situk River by implementing non retention for large king salmon.
For further information, anglers should call the Division of Sport Fish, at (907) 747-5551.
Related posts
Regional Angler Newsletters Available
June 9, 2008
CHEYENNE– Anglers can now view and download the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s annual regional angler newsletters from the Game and Fish Web site and learn more about their favorite fishery and what to expect when on the water this summer.
“The newsletters have something for everyone,” says Dirk Miller, fisheries management coordinator for the department. “The regional newsletters have a lot of information about fishing, new fishing regulations, angler etiquette, fishing outlooks and current fisheries research.”
The newsletters also highlight some of the challenges fisheries managers are facing in the region, including illegal fish introductions and aquatic nuisance species.
Fisheries personnel from each regional office produce a newsletter each spring. This way, anglers who travel around the state can be kept up to date on fishing information statewide.
The regional angler newsletters can be viewed by following the links below.
- 2008 North Platte Angler Newsletter
- 2008 Bighorn Basin Newsletter
- 2008 Green River Basin Angler Newsletter
- 2008 Jackson Area Angler Newsletter
- 2008 Lander Region Angler Newsletter
- 2008 Laramie Region Angler Newsletter
- 2008 Pinedale Region Angler Newsletter
- 2008 Sheridan Region Angler Newsletter
Related posts
National Fishing & Boating Week In Georgia
May 30, 2008
Over the last 20 years children’s playtime has declined by 25 percent and unstructured outdoor activities have declined by 50 percent. Family dinners have decreased by 33 percent and family vacations have decreased by 28 percent (according to the organization Family Life First). How can you gain back some of the family time that is lost while increasing your child’s interest in the outdoors? The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) declare boating and fishing as unmatched leisure activities that help make a true connection with family, friends and the natural environment. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) encourages people of all ages to reconnect with their families during National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW), June 1-8, 2008.
“Outdoor recreation strengthens the family as a unit and children as individuals,” says WRD Chief of Fisheries Management John Biagi. “National Fishing and Boating Week is an opportunity to remind all outdoor enthusiasts to teach their children and others the importance of natural resource conservation while introducing them to a sport that could last a lifetime.”
NFBW began in 1979 as National Fishing Week and was created to recognize the tradition of fishing, to broaden the spirit of togetherness and to share the values and knowledge of today’s anglers with tomorrow’s anglers. In the spirit of introducing new family members or friends to the sport of angling, Georgia offers TWO FREE FISHING DAYS during NFBW – Saturday, May 31 and Saturday, June 7, 2008. On these days, Georgia residents do not need a fishing license or a trout license in order to fish. Residents can fish on any public waters in the state including lakes, streams, ponds and public fishing areas (PFA). Additionally, residents do not need to obtain a WMA license to fish on a PFA or on Waters Creek on these two free fishing days.
In addition to the two free fishing days, there are more than 50 KIDS FISHING EVENTS (KFEs) scheduled across the state during the week to help introduce children to fishing. These events offer a healthy form of entertainment for kids and are an excellent opportunity for beginning anglers to experience the vast rewards of recreational fishing. KFEs are FREE, held statewide and have experienced volunteers on hand to help. Many events offer prizes, free lunches and other fun-filled activities – so make plans to attend a KFE today!
Take Me Fishing! ™ A recent national survey indicated that 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. So take your family fishing and you will always have something in common.
For more information on free fishing days, finding the nearest KFE or finding a place to fish, visit the WRD website at www.gofishgeorgia.com or call a WRD Fisheries Management Office. For more information on NFBW or the Take Me Fishing™ Campaign, visit the national website at www.takemefishing.org .
Related posts
Two Fish Per Person Per Day Red Snapper Limit in State Waters
May 29, 2008
The Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces that, as per regulation, a two fish per person limit for red snapper will be in effect opening day of the Gulf red snapper season on June 1, 2008. The minimum size requirement is 16 inches total length. This applies to all state waters out to the three-mile territorial sea line.
The state recreational creel limit will run concurrently with the new federal quotas by reducing the recreational bag limit in state waters from four fish to two fish, setting the captains and crews limit of for-hire vessels at zero, and shortening the recreational fishing season to June 1 through August 5, 2008. The 16-inch total length minimum size limit for recreational fishermen will remain the same.
Additionally, reef fish anglers are reminded to use the federally required non-stainless circle hooks, de-hooking devices and fish venting tools to reduce mortality on undersized fish that are returned to the water. For further information, visit the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council Web site at www.gulfcouncil.org.
For more information regarding the regulation, contact the Marine Resources Division offices at GulfShores: 251-968-7576; or DauphinIsland: 251-861-2882.
Related posts
Experience Fishing Fun at DEC’S Family Fishing Clinic at Carpenter Brook Fish Hatchery
May 28, 2008
On Saturday, June 7, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Onondaga County Parks, and Friends of Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery will conduct a free Family Fishing Clinic at Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery located on Route 321 in Elbridge, Onondaga County. The clinic will consist of two separate instructional sessions presented by DEC staff and volunteers.
The first session will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the second from 12:30 p.m to 3:30 p.m. Each session will consist of five 15-minute breakout stations with instruction in: common fishing tackle and techniques, fish identification and biology, conservation and ethics, aquatic ecology, and fish preparation and cooking. During the second half of the session the group will divide their time between casting practice and fishing. Fishing rods, tackle, bait and educational materials will be provided.
Sign-up is by pre-registration only and is limited to 100 individuals per session (children under age 16 must be supervised). There is no cost for this program. For information or to pre-register contact the Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery at 315-689-9367, and remember to mention which session you would like to attend. No fishing license is required during the event.
There are a number of other “Free Fishing Events” held throughout New York State. Free Fishing Events are DEC sponsored events (such as family fishing clinics) where participants can learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics and aquatic ecology. Each of DEC’s nine regions can sponsor up to four free fishing events per year. There are three other clinics planned in Region 7/Central New York this spring. They are being held in conjunction with various sporting organizations. The Iroquois Chapter of Trout Unlimited partnered with DEC at Mill Run Park in Manlius on Saturday, May 17, for a free fishing clinic. On June 8, the Falcon Sportsmen Kid’s Fishing Derby will be held at the Falcon Sportsmen Club in Auburn. The Broome County Sportsman’s Kid’s Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Nathanial Cole Park in Harpusville. For more details on these events and to view a listing of other events statewide, visit the DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html and be sure to check back periodically to see if additional events have been added.
In addition, New York State designates the last full weekend in June as Free Fishing Days. During those two days anyone can fish New York State waters, and no fishing license is required. This event started in 1991 to give people the opportunity to sample the incredible fishing New York State has to offer. Since no license is required, it is the perfect time to take a friend or relative fishing. In 2008, New York State’s Free Fishing Days are Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29.
First time anglers, as well as those who have drifted away from the sport, should take advantage of these opportunities to see how much fun fishing can be. For more information about Free Fishing Days, contact the Region 7 DEC Fisheries Office at 607-753-3095 ext. 213.
Related posts
Public Hearing June 17, 2008, on Marine Rule Changes Affecting Lobster Size Limit; Shad and River Herring Management
May 28, 2008
DURHAM, N.H. — The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold public hearings on proposed marine rule changes to the maximum size limit of lobsters and on Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Public Information Document (PID) for Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring. Both hearings will take place on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth, N.H., on the second floor in the Hilton Garden Meeting Room.
The proposed rule changes under consideration would involve modifying the maximum legal length of lobsters in Management Areas 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 to bring New Hampshire into compliance with ASMFC’s Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster.
The Public Information Document and subsequent amendment to the ASMFC’s Shad and River Herring Fisheries Management Plan are being