It’s not often that I authorize a special blog post, but I feel it’s important for anglers to know what some of the proposals are for Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) off the Fraser Mouth and how it might affect chinook fishing.
Currently there is a closure off the North Arm (Blue Box) from Aug 1 to Sep 30. DFO is proposing a further closure (Green Box) and also extending closures from June 1 to November 30. These proposed measures would effectively end the last chinook fishery here in Vancouver and make fishing for sockeye extremely difficult (next year is likely going to be a good sockeye year). I am all for saving the SRKW, but enough is enough. Large spatial closures where SRKW aren’t present (sometimes for over a year) are not the way to go. There is no evidence they are effective and they have massive social and economic impact.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
I urge you to submit your feedback to DFO by end of day on October 31, 2025 and express your concerns about these proposed measures and how it will affect you.
Email DFO using this email address: DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Is this a political issue? Absolutely it is, and you can bet that certain groups are lobbying DFO and Members of Parliament to close as many areas as possible to chinook fishing.
Email your Member or Parliament the same email you sent to DFO. Here is a link to find your MP.
Here are some points that have been emailed to DFO already, that you may find useful.
Current SRKW closure area off the North Arm of the Fraser River from Aug 1 to Sep 30:
1. Not effective. SRKW were not seen in this area in Aug 2024, once in Sep 2024, and not seen in Aug 2025. Sep 2025 data not currently available. SRKW were not seen in this area in Aug and Sep 2023. So SRKW were seen once off the Mouth of the Fraser in the last 3 years.
2. DFO has failed to demonstrate the benefit of these large, closed areas in relation to SRKW foraging activity and effectiveness.
3. The closure has had significant social and economic impact on the last remaining summer chinook fishery in Vancouver, effectively closing the productive waters off the N Arm of the Fraser and just past the popular “Bell Buoy” off Point Grey. Both were traditionally frequented by smaller vessels.
Chinook Fishery General Notes:
1. 29-3 is closed April 1 to Aug 31.
2. The effective season is now Sep 1 to Sep 21 in 29-3. In the last week of September, the angling activity drops off sharply as the vast majority of the chinook are now in the Fraser River.
3. Effectively there is a 3-week season. Of these 3 weeks there is generally a significant number of days where the mouth of the Fraser in 29-3 is not fishable because of SE or NW winds in excess of 15 knots as it is an open and exposed fishery that gets hit hard by both winds. Actual fishing days are less than 21.
4. Angler impact on a 3-week season with weather constraints on SRKW foraging activity is negligible. As such we recommend the closure off the North Arm be rescinded due to lack of effectiveness and angler activity in the area being extremely limited compared to pre-closure angling opportunities due to current chinook regulations, resulting in a 3-week window.
Proposed “Fraser South Arm” Closure (Green):
1. See Chinook Fishery General Notes. This is a very limited window of opportunity. This closure (green area) would effectively close this 3 week fishery, the last summer chinook fishery in Vancouver. This would have massive social and economic impact on the only fishery allowing anglers access to strong runs of summer 4.1 chinook and Chilliwack/Vedder and Harrison fall chinook. These 3 runs are doing well. 4.2 and 5.2 have moved through 29-3 at this time.
2. SRKW Fraser Mouth (Aug & Sep) sightings. Zero in 2025, once 2024, zero in 2023, once in 2022. As you can see, SRKW are not in the area frequently in recent years as per the SRKW Sightings Maps
3. We do not need another Fraser Mouth closure. There will be no measurable impact on SRKW foraging activity from yet another ineffective closure.
Extended Closure Time June 1 to Nov 30:
1. The Fraser Mouth 29-3 is already closed to chinook fishing April 1 to Aug 31 with little to no angling activity occurring off the Mouth of the Fraser during this time. This provided ample open and clear foraging opportunities for SRKW in the months of June and July.
2. I have reviewed October and November in particular, as 29-3 is open at this time, so an extend closure would have the most impact on these months. 2024 zero sightings. 2023 zero sightings. 2022 one sighting in November, but it looks to be south of and more offshore than the closed area and in an area where no angling activity occurs. 2021 zero sightings. 2020 zero sightings.
3. Angling activity in October and November is very limited off the Fraser Mouth, most of the adult chinook salmon and coho salmon have gone up the Fraser. Weather is also a factor, often limiting access to the area. Some anglers do fish the area for winter chinook. SRKW have only been observed once since 2020. Recommendation is to not extend the closure, it will have zero impact on SRKW foraging activity, leave the area open for winter chinook anglers.
Respectfully,
Jason Tonelli
