http://www.timescolonist.com/Vancouver+Island+salmon+numbers+rise/1609807/story.html

Vancouver Island salmon numbers on rise

By Darrell Bellaart, Nanaimo Daily News

NANAIMO, B.C. — Vancouver Island salmon stocks are showing some signs of improvement, meaning better luck for fishermen this year, officials said. Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced last week the first sport fishery in three years for Alberni Inlet sockeye salmon. As ocean conditions improve, several other species are also showing limited signs of recovery. But it won't be anything like the plentiful days of West Coast salmon fishing, officials warned. "Fishery stocks are certainly going to be better than the last few years," said the DFO's Leroy Hopwo. "This year is looking a little bit better." Chum, sometimes called dog salmon, are popular for canning or smoking. Their numbers are expected to bounce back in Georgia Strait, after dropping last year. Sockeye, considered by many to be the tastiest salmon and long the staple of the commercial fishery, are also returning after a three-year drought. "Commercially we're hoping for a little bit of a sockeye fishery on the Fraser," Hopwo said. After spending anywhere from one to eight years at sea, the fish make their way back to the Fraser River, entering the Georgia Strait either through Johnstone Strait or Juan de Fuca Strait, depending on temperatures, food supply and other ocean conditions. Coho, arguably the sweetest-tasting salmon and the smallest of the five salt water salmonid species, are also the most sensitive to urban encroachment because they often spawn in shallow streams easily affected by development. Their low numbers are expected to improve slightly. "We've gone through a regime over the last decade of low survival and low returns. We've had the odd good year and this year we're hoping it's a little brighter. They're showing a little bit of a sign of getting out of the dumpster," Hopwo said. Chinook salmon, popular with sports fishermen for their trophy size, flavour and because they put up a good fight, are expected to remain low this season. "We aren't expecting any change. Survival is poor because of ocean conditions," Hopwo said.

With a file from Canwest News Services