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IT’S FRESH COHO SALMON SEASON ON THE COAST

July 2nd, 2009 Write a Comment  Print This Post

Yesterday wasn’t just Canada Day – it was also the opening of the fresh coho salmon season.   

Grant Snell, General Manager of the BC Salmon Marketing Council, a non-profit generic marketing organization for wild BC salmon, says that BC’s salmon fishermen currently out in the fishing grounds harvesting wild BC sockeye and spring salmon are reporting a high number of coho in the waters and that they are large, plump and just perfect.  “We are so pleased with the supply and condition of wild BC salmon so far this season indicating healthy ocean conditions and positive results of resource management to ensure sustainability,” says Snell.  He adds, “Our commercial fishermen will now be changing their gear and fishing methods to selectively harvest coho ensuring virtually no by-catch of other seafood species and consistent sustainable fishing practices.  While some coho will be available in the market very soon as succulent fresh product, some fishermen will be freezing their catch on-board immediately after harvest to lock-in top quality and freshness providing product to be savoured throughout the rest of the year.”

Wild BC coho salmon is prized for its firm, fine-textured, consistently red flesh with versatile flavour.   

Salmon lovers are just delighted with the current availability of wild BC spring salmon and wild BC sockeye salmon from the Nass River.  Plus, as harvests for wild BC pink and chum are also already tentatively scheduled, salmon enthusiasts can fully embrace the availability of choice.  From delicate and light to rich and full, top quality wild salmon from BC is perfect for every preparation method and palate.  

While it is always difficult to predict the results of this year’s wild salmon season, wild BC salmon fans naturally want to know what, when and how much of each of the five wild BC salmon species will be available this season.  And with our community’s increasing commitment to eating natural and sustainable foods, consumers want to know the status of the industry.  The BC Salmon Marketing Council is therefore pleased to provide current preliminary information regarding this year’s wild BC salmon season.

Forecasted Availability of Wild BC Salmon this Season

Chinook:    Chinook or spring salmon have traditionally been the first salmon to be available in the traditional fresh wild BC salmon season.  In recent years, they have been caught and marketed fresh most of the year with some troll vessels immediately freezing their catch on-board to seal in freshness and to ensure that top quality product is available year round.   It is expected that the availability of fresh wild BC chinook salmon will continue to be relatively good and steady this salmon season with frozen salmon available throughout the year.

Chum:        Chum salmon is usually available later in the traditional fresh salmon season – towards the end of summer and into the fall.   This year however, it is expected that the summer chum fisheries may start towards the beginning of July with additional chum fisheries to be scheduled as usual in the fall.  This year it is expected that the fishery will bring a good supply of fresh chum salmon with quality frozen product available during the year.   

Coho:         Reduced commercial and recreational fishing for coho in 1998 to allow stocks to rebuild has generated positive results and generated a good steady supply of coho in recent years.    This year a relatively good supply of fresh coho is expected with product first available in the market in early July with some frozen coho to be available throughout the ear. 

Pink:          Plentiful supplies of fresh pink salmon are usually available in the traditional summer harvest season of July and August.    A relatively large return of pink is expected this year with fresh product available during the season and frozen product with locked in freshness available year round.

Sockeye:    Sockeye is generally available fresh from June to the end of August and frozen for the remainder of the year.   This year, good sockeye runs are expected from various river systems which should continue to provide a steady supply of fresh sockeye during the season and excellent frozen product throughout the rest of the year.

The BC Salmon Marketing Council is a non-profit generic marketing organization for wild BC salmon funded by the BC commercial fishermen and government sources to: benefit and promote the BC wild salmon industry; conduct research and educational programs for the development and promotion of commercially harvested wild BC salmon, and; communicate to national and international markets the quality, availability and value of wild BC salmon.