Salmon, wildlife groups accept continued ban on keeping catch

The oneyearcontinuation of a ban on keeping salmon caught in Maritime rivers is being met with acceptance by the presidents of the New Brunswick Wildlife Federation and the Miramichi Salmon Association.

Charles Leblanchad been advocating for the mandatory hookandrelease policy to be eased on stretches of some rivers.

However, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Hunter Tootoo announced Wednesday that measures imposed in 2015 will continue for the 2016 season. Tootoocitedscientific analysis showing the lowest Atlantic salmon returns on record for many rivers in the Maritime region over the last five years.

"We all want a healthy salmon population," said Leblanc, adding that some of his members will be disappointed.

"It's good for the fish. Hopefully, we will work toward a balance and harvest by abundance.

• Maritime salmon catch and release policy extended another year
• Wildlife federation wants ban on keeping salmon revisited
• Atlantic Salmon Federation wants ban on keeping salmon retained
• Gail Shea orders all salmon caught in Maritimes to be released

"It's going in the right direction. If we need another year, that's fine. We just keep on," he said.

Statistics from Fisheries and Oceans for 2015 show improved salmon returns to the Miramichi, but not in sufficient numbers to meet conservation targets:

• The Southwest Miramichi met 92 per cent of its conservation target with 11,490 large salmon returningand 13,980 grilse.
• The Northwest Miramichi met 82 per cent of its conservation target with 4,171 large salmon and 11,980 grilse.

Miramichi Salmon Association president Mark Hambrook said given the 2015 statistics, DFO's only choice was to continue with the mandatory hookandrelease policy.

"I think they did the only wise thing," said Hambrook.

"Seeing that we didn't meetconservation levels, it would be very difficult to issue tags at this point."

The salmon association is ultimately hoping a riverbyriver management system will be established, through which the waters are opened orclosed to fishing based on the salmon numbers in that river.

Hambrook would like to see a midseason review that could allow for salmon tags to be issued on rivers showing sufficient salmon returns.

"I understand they want to go back cautiously," said Hambrook. "But by next year, hopefully, they'll have it worked out so that they can monitor, and if there is a strong run of fish coming in in July they say, 'Yes, we're going to have a surplus this year, now we'll issue some tags.'"