Bill Kiene semi-retired
09-27-2024, 08:37 PM
"August 13, 2024
Re: Skeena Steelhead Recreational Fishery Update – 2024 Season
As of August 13, 2024 the Tyee Test Fishery1 (the main index of Skeena steelhead
abundance) indicates:
• The Skeena aggregate run of steelhead will be moderate for 2024. The test fishery
estimates the current run past Tyee is 28,000 steelhead with 80% of the steelhead
run enumerated.
• The threshold for extreme conservation concern, and major regulatory action, is
8,000 steelhead. The run will exceed this conservation threshold.
Under the current Interim Skeena Steelhead Abundance Framework2
, August 15 is
identified as the annual deadline to put forward a regulation recommendation. This
date is not arbitrary and represents a balance between fisheries managers having
sufficient data to provide reliable information to all user groups, and as early a date as
possible to generate greater certainty for those same groups. As the run has exceeded
conservation targets the decision has been made as of August 13.
For 2024 there is a strong (98%) probability of meeting the minimum escapement for
Steelhead Routine Management (24,000). As such, recommendations for major
regulatory action (such as early closures) will not be put forward for 2024 and it’s
expected the fishery will proceed as normal. This does not mean that specific time and
area closures, or emergency closures might not be considered should conditions shift
unexpectedly against the modelling described above, but in light of the current
predictions a regular fishing season is forecast. Please observe steelhead conservation
and best management practices such as “keeping steelhead wet".
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will continue to work with First
Nations in the Skeena watershed, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the
Conservation Officer Service and angling stakeholders to support steelhead
conservation.
Mike Ramsay, Director of Provincial Policy and Alloca
Re: Skeena Steelhead Recreational Fishery Update – 2024 Season
As of August 13, 2024 the Tyee Test Fishery1 (the main index of Skeena steelhead
abundance) indicates:
• The Skeena aggregate run of steelhead will be moderate for 2024. The test fishery
estimates the current run past Tyee is 28,000 steelhead with 80% of the steelhead
run enumerated.
• The threshold for extreme conservation concern, and major regulatory action, is
8,000 steelhead. The run will exceed this conservation threshold.
Under the current Interim Skeena Steelhead Abundance Framework2
, August 15 is
identified as the annual deadline to put forward a regulation recommendation. This
date is not arbitrary and represents a balance between fisheries managers having
sufficient data to provide reliable information to all user groups, and as early a date as
possible to generate greater certainty for those same groups. As the run has exceeded
conservation targets the decision has been made as of August 13.
For 2024 there is a strong (98%) probability of meeting the minimum escapement for
Steelhead Routine Management (24,000). As such, recommendations for major
regulatory action (such as early closures) will not be put forward for 2024 and it’s
expected the fishery will proceed as normal. This does not mean that specific time and
area closures, or emergency closures might not be considered should conditions shift
unexpectedly against the modelling described above, but in light of the current
predictions a regular fishing season is forecast. Please observe steelhead conservation
and best management practices such as “keeping steelhead wet".
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will continue to work with First
Nations in the Skeena watershed, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the
Conservation Officer Service and angling stakeholders to support steelhead
conservation.
Mike Ramsay, Director of Provincial Policy and Alloca