Concerns are being raised about potential changes to the federal Salmon Allocation Policy, with advocates saying Canadians' right to fishing could be "extinguished." (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

salmon story

Nanaimo anglers and fishing guides worried about potential changes to Salmon Allocation Policy

Jan 23, 2026 | 6:09 AM

NANAIMO — Anglers, tour guides and conservation groups are more than concerned about potential changes to rules around salmon fishing, saying British Columbians fishing rights could be eroded.

The Department of Oceans and Fisheries (DFO) are in the consultation process reviewing the Salmon Allocation Policy (SAP), originally adopted in 1999 to provide direction on the harvest of salmon.

Executive director of the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) Jesse Zeman said the two main issues of concern are removing salmon as a “common-property resource,” and determining who gets priority over Coho and Chinook salmon.

“Currently, the public fishery, the recreational fishery, has priority access to those species over the commercial fishery, and there is a proposal to change that order of priority and give the commercial section priority access to Chinook and Coho, which would significantly impact people’s opportunity to go salmon fishing all over the province.”

Removing salmon as a common property resource “would give rise to questions around who owns salmon, and could also extinguish Canadians’ right to fish,” according to Zeman.

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“These are really big questions. People put principles in a long time ago around how salmon were supposed to be managed, and that the public essentially own them, and these potential changes pull that all apart and put us into a place where ownership is uncertain, and people’s ability to go fishing is uncertain.”

Andrew Turkstra operates Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tour off Zorkin Rd. in Nanaimo, and he calls these possible changes “a devastating blow” to his business, as well as anyone connected to recreational fishing in B.C.

“For individuals that come out here and experience an amazing and stunning natural resource, these new proposals are going to take that opportunity away from people if they’re implemented, simply because they want to reallocate priority catch over to the commercial industry, which makes no sense.”

DFO said the SAP review was triggered by former DFO minister Dominic LeBlanc, in response to a 2018 BC Supreme Court ruling in the Ahousaht case, which found the policy infringed upon the Aboriginal fishing rights of five Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations.

Turkstra, also known as Captain Turk, has been in operation for about 15 years and is also a lifelong fisherman.

He said they are already subject to many restrictions to regulate the industry and keep the salmon population healthy, but is concerned commercial fishers will reach the catch limit for the season, leaving no opportunity for his guests.

“It’s a nightmare for people who have booked a trip in August and all of a sudden they get there, and the guides are saying and the lodges are saying, ‘well, we’ve reached this cap, they’re closing it down’.”

He said the uncertainty of those possible changes is already having an effect, with many in the industry becoming aware of the gravity of the situation in December.

He encourages residents to reach out to their local MP or DFO and let them know their thoughts on the possible changes.

“Allow people to enjoy this resource, appreciate the resource, and understand that this resource is vital. It’s vital to us, not even so much as an industry, but it’s vital to us practically speaking as we live in relationship with the world and nature around us.”

DFO has been collecting feedback from First Nations as well as commercial and recreational fishermen until Friday. Jan. 23.

Following the deadline, DFO said they’ll meet with stakeholders again early this year to review the feedback.

More information can be found at the BCWF website, or fishingrights.ca

The BC Recreational Fishing Association is hosting a town hall on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Mellor Hall inside the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds in Duncan, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3FM The Eagle.

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