In order to obtain more information about Yukon’s recreational salmon fishery, the salmon catch card was introduced some years ago.
Last year in the Tatshenshini River system 171 chinook were caught. Of these, 51 were retained. Of the 51 only six were females. With these numbers Fisheries and Oceans closed the system to the retention of any salmon. This proactive move makes about as much sense as banning campfires to reduce global warming. They could have said zero retention of female chinook.
Us poor recreational fishermen who eat what we catch are denied keeping a male chinook that was caught with a single barbless hook. Why is the first reaction to shut down the people who do the least amount of harm to a species population?
Hedy Cuddeback
Haines Junction