Not all anglers happy with status quo of 2025 salmon plan

When DFO announced back in February there would be no changes in the 2025 Atlantic salmon recreational fishery management plan, some were quite surprised by the lack of comments and opinions from local anglers.

Mind you, there could have been some online discussions that I missed along the way. But then again, in my semi-retirement years — unless in the woods or on a river — I usually find ample opportunity to engage in social media activities, or "play on Facebook," as my wife refers to it.

But while discussions about this year's salmon plan were low-key for more than two months after the announcement, one simple question on the Newfoundland Fly Tying Facebook page in late April — just five weeks from season opening — sparked a rather robust social media debate.

Regulations for the 2025 season include a June 1 to Sept. 7 season in Newfoundland and June 14 to Sept. 15 in Labrador.

No complaints there.

The contentious issues, however, are the numbers of fish that anglers can tag in a season, plus the total they are permitted to hook and release per day, which are two and three respectively.

Incidentally, there is no retention permitted in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island.

"Any changes in the salmon fishing regulations this year?" Jarvis Canning asked Apr. 24 on the fly tying page.

"None," was the first response.

Boom! The fireworks were underway, with the familiar catch and release versus catch and retain controversy tossed in for good measure.

Personally, although expecting some sort of further conservation measures this year, I was satisfied with DFO's decision to stand pat. I fully support and practise catch and release (C&R) fishing, but I also look forward to bringing home a fish or two. I've probably only tagged five or six fish over the past four years, but I do prefer the opportunity to keep two per season if I so desire.

Having said that, I would still fish — though not as often — if regulations were to ever call for C&R only.

Although many of my fishing buddies also have no issues with hooking and releasing salmon, they say they wouldn't bother buying a licence if not allowed to take at least one home.

Of course, if you're not buying a licence, you're not purchasing any new fishing gear, either, which hurts local retailers. Then you have motels, cabins and campgrounds to consider. Restaurants, gas bars, outfitters. And these are just the financial considerations.

Some say there's a lot to be tied into DFO's "political" decisions affecting recreational salmon fishing, and they are not always in the best interests of the fish. Scientists and other staff are not to blame for the majority of these choices.

Some anglers maintain that the current management plan "does nothing" to conserve salmon stocks, which have been "in trouble" for quite some time.

"The numbers are down all over," Richard Sullivan told me. "Everybody knows it, including politicians and DFO scientists. Two fish is too many to be taken by thousands of anglers in rivers all across the province. We have to fight more for our salmon. We have to."

Andre St. Pierre believes DFO "is afraid to make that decision" regarding additional conservation measures. 

"I'm sure cutting back or even C&R only has been recommended to them," he said.

Another common argument suggests we catch and keep our two fish, then leave the river — for the rest of the season!

"No C&R!" Dominic Drew stated.

Damien Short joined in the debate,

"If salmon fishing can't handle retaining two fish, in my opinion it should be closed altogether — and not C&R only," Short said. "Catch and release kills more than retaining two fish."

Corey Wight disputed that claim.

"What you are saying is absolutely false," Wight responded, saying there was a 96 to 98 per cent survival rate when water temperatures are below 21 C, according to the provincial government's own recent study on the Northern Peninsula.

In fact, similar research around the globe has also seen high survival rates, particularly when fish are properly released. And there's really no special skill required to releasing a salmon. A Google video search and bit of practice will have you perfecting it in no time.

Christopher Devereaux offered words of wisdom among the social media comments. 

"Catch and release is not the issue. Look at Russian waters; best fishing in the world, possibly. All catch and release there. The quota in the ocean harvest is definitely the bigger issue here, along with the seal population."

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