Three British Columbia pink salmon fisheries that were entered into assessment by the Canadian Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Society have been awarded MSC certification.
The assessment process included stakeholder engagement by British Columbia (BC) conservation organisations that provided important additional information to the assessment team. The certifier’s final report reflects a collaborative effort to address concerns proactively and identify specific fishery improvements over the five year life of the certification. For instance, the certification body attached requirements for the collection of new scientific data and additional, independent monitoring that can assist Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), which manages the fisheries.
Christina Burridge, director of the Canadian Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Society, said: "We want to see healthy and sustainable fisheries that protect stocks while supporting livelihoods and communities. The open, transparent process required by the MSC enabled stakeholders to engage in a meaningful way and help us achieve an outcome we can all support."
The certified fisheries are located in Canadian Pacific EEZ and British Columbia coastal waters. The certification covers pink salmon fisheries in the Fraser River, its mainstream and tributaries below the Mission Bridge; North and Central Coasts of British Columbia, including Queen Charlotte Islands; and, the Inner South Coast including Johnstone Strait, the Strait of Georgia, Northeast and mid-Vancouver Island, and Toba Inlet and Jervis Inlet. The certification covers all current commercial fisheries.
Seines catch 90-95% of the pink salmon harvest with troll and gillnet harvesting the rest. DFO – Pacific Region manages the fisheries. Commercial fishing is regulated by licenses issued by DFO, which also regulates the season, gear types, hook style, net dimensions, bycatch and catch limits. DFO’s mandate includes responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of Canada's fisheries resources.
As a species, pink salmon return to spawn primarily on two-year cycles, and in BC the largest runs return on odd-years. In 2009, the commercial catch was 13,400mt. All commercial salmon landings are subject to weight verification and the issuance of sales slips which are forwarded to DFO to use in catch monitoring. Commercial salmon harvesters are also required to maintain accurate logbooks, and conduct frequent phone-ins.
