Project 3.3e – Developing in-season management methods for spatially complex mixed-stock fisheries with focus on the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon troll fishery
The West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) salmon troll fleet has fished mixed stocks of chinook and coho salmon for over a century. What was once a booming and stable fishery has been reduced, due to management actions, to a relatively small fleet with low total allowable catches of chinook only. The fishery currently operates year-round with closures in certain areas and times of the year to conserve stocks of concern, and is no longer economically viable.
The objectives for this project are to have industry, academics and government work together to develop and evaluate different management approaches in the WCVI salmon troll fishery, consistent with the current Canadian policies and objectives of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Ultimately we are aiming to secure the financial viability of this fishing fleet.
Results will be used to offer a set of management policy options for the WCVI salmon troll fishery that are in line with the values of the fishery's key stakeholders. Furthermore, work will be completed in time for renegotiation of the current Chinook Annex of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, which expires in 2018. This work can be used to describe the impacts of the 2008 Treaty agreement and options for a new agreement.
Project Leader Contact Information
Murdoch McAllister
University of British Columbia
m.mcallister@fisheries.ubc.ca
Project Team
- Art Tautz - Emeritus scientist, British Columbia Ministry of Environment
- Brian Riddell - Pacific Salmon Foundation, Pacific Salmon Treaty Canadian Commissioner
- Carl Walters - University of British Columbia
- Don Hall - Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC)
- Gayle Brown - Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station
- Karin Mathias - Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station
- Kathy Scarfo - United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union (UFAWU) and West Coast Trollers Association (WCTA)
- Sarah Hawkshaw - University of British Columbia graduate student (2011-present)
- Sean Cox - Simon Fraser University
- Wilf Luedke - Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station