The federal minister of fisheries and oceans made a stop in South Delta last Friday during a tour of B.C.'s fishing industry.
Gail Shea was accompanied by Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay on a visit to Delta Pacific Seafoods before arriving at Ladner Harbour to talk to the Optimist about the big run of sockeye enjoyed by fisherman this year.
In 2010, B.C. had a surprisingly historic run with 30 million sockeye returning to the Fraser River. A near repeat was expected this summer due to the four-year maturity cycle.
Saying the government has made many investments in the industry, Shea said it looks like one of the best seasons for sockeye in 60 years.
"What we're hearing is people are happy how the season has gone and we've made changes, of course, to the integrated Fisheries Management Plan, which was done with a lot of consultation with industry members," she said.
"We're a little more flexible to ensure that the maximum benefit went to the industry, while still ensuring we were making all the right decisions on conservation."
Findlay, the minister of national revenue, said she talks to Delta-based fishermen on a regular basis, passing along their comments and concerns to the DFO.
"They were very pleased with the run this year.
They're always concerned and brought up to the minister that good monitoring should remain. This is the second time the minister has come to Delta to have these roundtables to speak directly with commercial fisherman," Findlay said.
Darin Chung was one of the local fishermen who took advantage of the run, although he noted the numbers weren't quite as good as four years ago.
"It would have been if we had a couple of more openings. At the end, the same boats that got to go out took an extra two or three thousand pieces that were supposed to be ours. We got shut down on Sept. 15th," he said.
The fisheries minister also announced the government will provide $34.2 million over five years to upgrade and renew salmon B.C. hatcheries and spawning channels operated by the federal government under the Salmon Enhancement Program.
The program operates 23 salmon hatcheries and spawning channels that release hundreds of millions of juvenile salmon every year to supplement wild stocks.
On another front, in anticipation of this year's huge run, the Corporation of Delta attempted to provide a Steveston-like feel to Ladner Harbour by allowing fresh fish sales off boats at the Elliott Street wharf this summer.
Noting his family had built up a large and loyal clientele but hadn't been able to sell fish off the docks for over a decade, Chung said his parents and aunt sold their fish at the wharf this summer.
He said business was "OK," maintaining it will take time to build a customer base.
