B.C. recreational fishing industry raises concerns as Ottawa reviews salmon allocation policy

For the first time in more than 25 years, Ottawa is reviewing its salmon allocation policy.

B.C.’s recreational fishing industry is raising concerns as the federal government reviews how salmon are allocated for the first time in more than 25 years, following a landmark court ruling involving First Nations fishing rights.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says it is reviewing the Salmon Allocation Policy after a 2018 B.C. Supreme Court decision involving five Nuu‑chah‑nulth Nations. The court ruled the policy unlawfully prioritized recreational fishing over First Nations’ constitutionally protected right to fish and sell salmon.

Fishing guide Dean Werk says the review is already creating uncertainty for businesses that rely on salmon fishing tourism.

“That’s a really big concern,” said Werk, who operates Great River Fishing Adventures.

The fishing community has expressed particular concern with the DFO potentially shifting priority for Chinook and Coho salmon toward commercial fisheries, though officials stress no changes are currently in effect.

Werk says Coho and Chinook salmon are especially critical to recreational fishing operations and the people who depend on them.

“So what that creates is immense uncertainty within people wanting to book lodges, book a salmon trip,” he said. “The two most harvested fish, both tidal and inland, and wanted for people to eat, typically (are) Coho and Chinook.”

Werk recently travelled to Ottawa with other industry representatives to campaign for the recreational fishing sector. During the trip, he met with Conservative fisheries critic Mel Arnold, who says the industry plays a significant role in B.C.’s economy.

“Some of the job numbers we’ve seen is over 9,000 direct jobs,” Arnold said. “That’s $1.3 billion to the provincial economy through recreational fishery and a good chunk of that could be at risk.”

The B.C. Wildlife Federation is also voicing concern about the direction of the policy review, warning it could have broader implications for public access to salmon.

“If we start moving language away from the concept that salmon are owned by all Canadians, then we are headed closer to the road of privatizing those resources,” said executive director Jesse Zeman. “And when those resources are privatized in other parts of the world, the public doesn’t get access to them.”

First Nations leaders say the review is about ensuring federal policy reflects the law, not eliminating recreational fishing.

“These are constitutional rights that we have,” said Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu‑chah‑nulth Tribal Council.

Sayers says recreational anglers would still have a place under an updated policy and believes there is enough fish to support multiple fisheries if allocations are handled properly.

“The recreation fishery is trying to say they’re being cut out, and that’s not true,” she said. “It’s just a matter of how that allocation is divided up by DFO and making sure the policy follows the court case.”

Meanwhile, Werk says the uncertainty surrounding the review is already being felt by guides and anglers across the province.

“This could put recreational angling for Chinook and coho in British Columbia on its knees,” he said.

DFO declined a request for an interview, saying the policy review is ongoing. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson also did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.