192 



1994). Cumulatively, Alaskan interception of Canadian-origin coho stands at 

 2,170,700 for the 1987-1991 period, in contrast to Canadian interceptions of 325,900 

 (CTC, 1994). Increases in the magnitude of Alaskan interceptions could be due to a 

 number of possible factors: 1) increased abundance of Canadian-origin coho; 2) 

 increased abundance of U.S.-origin coho, which would stimulate higher harvest rates; 

 3) shifts in the ocean distribution of Canadian-origin coho which increase their 

 availability to Alaskan fisheries; and 4) redistribution of Alaskan fishing effort. For 

 years for which data are available, interceptions of Canadian-origin coho increased ' 

 when overall catches of coho in SEAK troll and net fisheries increased. When 

 Canadian catch levels are high, Canadian interceptions of U.S.-origin coho have also 

 been high during this time period. For Alaskan fisheries, the contribution of Canadian- 

 origin coho to the total catch has also increased. The contribution of U.S-origin coho 

 to northern B.C. fisheries has increased as well, but the trend is less consistent. 



* EDF recommends that, because increased abundance of Canadian-origin coho is 

 not the sole cause of increased interceptions of these fish by SEIAK fisheries, a 

 maximum allowable bycatch level should be established. Where possible, changes 

 in fishing effort should be implemented to reduce the interception of Canadian- 

 origin coho. 



*To reduce long term conflicts, coho bycatch allowances should be allocated as 

 transferable percentage shares of this maximum allowable level to northern B.C. 

 and SEAK fisheries. 



Transferable shares would provide fishery managers with the flexibility to procure 

 bycatch allowances necessary to prosecute fisheries when coho ocean distribution or 

 abundance changes. For example, the SEAK coho troll fishery would have to be 

 severely restricted to reduce interceptions of Canadian-origin coho under the current 

 system of fixed harvest ceilings. Under a transferable bycatch allowance system, the 

 SEAK fishery could purchase or lease sufficient bycatch allowance share from the B.C. 

 fishery to allow the prosecution of the SEAK coho troll fishery. Percentage shares 

 could be purchased, leased, or traded to allow for the efficient prosecution of fisheries 

 when the ocean distribution of coho changes. 



Coho from systems such as the Skeena, Nass, (Canadian) Stikine, Taku, and Alsek 

 (transboundary) Rivers represent important management concerns (CTC, 1991). These 

 interior stocks appear to be less productive than coastal coho stocks (CTC, 1991). In 

 net fisheries, interior coho stocks often inter-mix with more productive species (e.g. 

 sockcye) which originate from the same river systems (CTC, 1991), resulting in 

 excessive harvest pressure on the weaker stocks. 



