Below is a draft letter/e-mail you can send to the Minister of DFO and your MP, along with a copy to all South Island MPs or just your own! Personalize it however you like, or send as is, important thing is just to make our voices heard.
To: DFO.Minister-Ministre.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
CC: jeff.kibble@parl.gc.ca
Bob.Zimmer@parl.gc.ca
mel.arnold@parl.gc.ca
aaron.gunn@parl.gc.ca
stephanie.mclean@parl.gc.ca
will.greaves@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Request for Conservation Objectives Supporting Further Chinook Fishing Restrictions
Hon Joanne Thompson – Minister of Fisheries
I am writing to express my frustration and concern regarding yet another restriction being placed on the recreational Chinook salmon fishery in South Vancouver Island waters.
Effective August 1, 2026, DFO has reduced the maximum Chinook retention size from 80 cm to 75 cm in Area 19: Subareas 19-1, 19-3 and 19-4, and Area 20: Subareas 20-3, through 20-7.
Recreational anglers support conservation measures when they are based on sound science and demonstrate clear conservation benefits. However, after years of increasing restrictions and reduced access, DFO has not clearly explained the conservation objective or expected benefit of this latest measure.
I request that DFO demonstrate:
- What measurable conservation benefit is expected from reducing the size limit from 80 cm to 75 cm?
- What scientific evidence shows that a 75 cm limit provides a meaningful improvement over the previous 80 cm limit?
- Which Chinook stocks or conservation objectives will benefit from this change?
I am also concerned that this new restriction may unintentionally increase Chinook mortality. Fish between 75 cm and 80 cm, which were previously legal retention fish, must now be netted, measured, handled, and released. Did DFO assess whether increased handling and release mortality could offset the intended conservation benefit, particularly during warm August conditions?
I also question the inconsistent application of regulations between adjacent fishing areas. Chinook salmon do not recognize DFO boundaries, yet portions of Areas 19 and 20 now have a 75 cm maximum size limit, while nearby Area 20-1 and 20-2 (Port Renfrew) continue to allow retention of larger Chinook on August 1. If these differences are based on stock composition, migration timing, or conservation risk, DFO should provide the scientific evidence supporting these decisions.
Recreational anglers are increasingly frustrated by restrictions that reduce fishing opportunities without clearly demonstrating how they will achieve stated Chinook conservation objectives. Conservation measures must be transparent, consistent, and supported by measurable outcomes.
I respectfully request that DFO publicly release the scientific analysis and rationale supporting this decision and demonstrate how this new restriction will contribute to Chinook recovery.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]