According to Lake Babine Nation Chief Wilf Adam, although the sockeye salmon count at Babine Lake has slightly improved, it is still not enough to allow commercial harvest in the lake.
The total return of Skeena sockeye for the year is estimated at approximately 900,000. Chief Adam explained that there would have to be at least 1.05 million sockeye for commercial harvest to be considered.
The 900,000 estimate is drastically lower than the pre-season estimate of over three million.
According to the Skeena Fisheries Commission (SFC), this year’s Skeena sockeye return has been significantly weaker than expected. All species other than coho and pink salmon are returning at less than historic decadal averages.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada allows limited recreational fishing for Skeena sockeye below the 1.05 million threshold.
At Babine Lake, the limit for recreational fishers is of one sockeye salmon per day. The possession limit, however, is two daily limits.
The British Columbia sport fishing regulations state that people may possess only twice the daily limit of all species. This possession limit applies per person whether they or someone else caught the fish.
There are currently no restrictions on First Nations fishing in the Skeena River. However, if the overall run projections drop below 550,000, this will trigger consultation with First Nations to limit their fisheries. Under Canadian law, Skeena First Nations will maintain priority access over all other Skeena sockeye fishery.
“We’re still monitoring the situation closely,” said Chief Adam.