Public Consultation Period now open for 2013 Salmon Plan

Those inclined to make submissions to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans 2013 Salmon Plan will need to organize their thoughts quickly, the deadline for input to DFO is April 1st.

The Federal Department began collecting feedback on March 1st, the thirty day window designed to provide DFO with advice and information leading up to the commencement of this years Salmon Management Plan on June 1st.

Material of interest to those wishing to make a submission can be found on the Fisheries and Oceans website, including an Archive of last years Management Plans for both the North and South Coast.

The Annual Management Plan at times in the past has proven quite controversial, with Fishing Companies, Fisherman and Shore worker representatives eager to make their best case for the sustainability of the Pacific Fishery.

The Salmon Management Plan proves to be the key blue print for each years fishery and a document that can find DFO under a fair amount of pressure, from Industry and UFAWU representatives alike.

In the last few years, the decline of the industry has been particularly noticeable in Prince Rupert, with a number off major fish plants closing their doors and with the fishing fleet chasing fewer and fewer numbers of fish.

What parameters the Industry faces for 2013, will be determined in early June when DFO releases that management plan. A document that could go a long way in outlining the state of the commercial fishery and the jobs that rely on it for this summer.

More information on the Salmon Fishery on the Pacific Coast can be found on the Fisheries and Oceans website.