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increases in the Fraser sockeye run are resulting in increases in the incidental catch of 

 these fish in SEAK. As a result, the U.S. position is that negotiated catch ceilings for 

 Fraser sockeye should pertain only to Washington state fisheries. 



In addition to the increases in Fraser production, sockeye production in the Nass and 

 Skeena Rivers has also reached high levels (NBTC, 1993). In the Skeena, this has 

 been due in part to successful Canadian enhancement efforts. Although the Skeena 

 sockeye run is comprised of over 50 stocks, two enhanced stocks are responsible for 

 the majority of the production (Sprout and Kadowaki, 1987). As Canadian sockeye 

 production increases, incidental catches of these fish in SEAK fisheries have become 

 more difficult to control. In order to reduce U.S. interceptions of Nass and Skeena 

 River sockeye, Canada has proposed that an additional week (Statistical Week 31) be 

 covered under annex arrangements. Canada has further proposed that a "clockwork" 

 management approach be implemented which would restrict District 104 fisheries in 

 response to the ratio of sockeye to total salmon catch. 



* To reduce conflict over SEAK interceptions of Canadian-origin sockeye, EDF 

 recommends the allocation of transferable percentage shares of an abundance- 

 based total allowable sockeye catch. IVansferable shares would allow SEAK 

 fishery managers to acquire sufficient harvest privileges for sockeye from 

 managers responsible for fisheries in the Fraser River Panel Area and northern 

 British Columbia to fully prosecute the pink salmon fishery, while compensating 

 Canada for SEAK bycatch of Canadian-origin sockeye. 



The interception of northern British Columbia coho in SEAK troll and net fisheries is 

 another source of conflict between the U.S. and Canada. There are no negotiated 

 limits on coho interception in the SEAK or northern British Columbia fisheries. 

 Historically, the northern British Columbia commercial catch of coho has been greater 

 than that of Alaskan commercial fisheries (CTC, 1991). This trend persisted until the 

 late 1970's when Alaskan coho catch became dominant. This catch may be attributed 

 to factors, such as: 1) possible higher survival rates in Alaskan coho versus northern 

 B.C. coho; 2) shifts in the distribution of Alaskan effort which increased the number of 

 stocks available for harvest; 3) returns to Alaskan hatcheries have been greater than to 

 hatcheries in northern B.C.; and 4) the shortened chinook season (due to PST chinook 

 catch ceilings) may have led SEAK troll fisheries to increase their targeting of coho 

 (CTC, 1991). 



Canada contends that Alaskan interception of Canadian-origin coho increased from 

 270,000 in 1988 to 1,200,000 in 1991 (the most recently available data) (DFO, 1994a). 

 The Coho Technical Committee report supports the claim that, in general, Alaskan 

 interceptions have increased, putting the 1991 interception level at 815,800 (CTC, 



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