Burbot catch limit to fall in some lakes
A regulation change will come into effect on Dec. 1 to reduce the catch limit in smaller Yukon lakes to three per day and six in possession.
A regulation change will come into effect on Dec. 1 to reduce the catch limit in smaller Yukon lakes to three per day and six in possession.
The move is being made to ensure the sustainability of the burbot harvest, the Yukon government said last Thursday.
The change is necessary because there has been an increase in burbot fishing. As well, recent population estimates indicate burbot population sizes in smaller lakes are less than previously thought.
“In order to ensure burbot fisheries are managed responsibly, the Government of Yukon is reducing catch and possession limits,” the government said in a statement.
“This will help make sure the resource remains healthy for future generations of Yukon anglers to enjoy.”
Population surveys conducted since 2011 indicate smaller population than would be expected for lakes of similar size in Alaska or northern British Columbia, suggesting the Yukon’s lakes are not as productive, the government said.
The change will only apply to lakes that are smaller than 2,500 hectares or for larger lakes where the burbot population was assessed as vulnerable.
Currently, the only large lake where the new regulation will apply is Dezadeash Lake.
The limits for all other large lakes will remain at current catch and possession limits.
The regulation change was made through the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board regulation change process, with public engagement occurring over the winter of 2019-20.
“The Government of Yukon is proud to work in partnership with Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board to put this important regulation change in place,” said Environment Minister Pauline Frost.
“Reducing catch and possession limits for fishing will protect these freshwater species, ensuring the populations remains sustainable now and for future generations.”
Comments (10)
Up 1 Down 3
Not Likely on Nov 15, 2020 at 2:43 pm
Dear Nathan - The other NL: Old Guard? No society should be governed by a “precautionary” paternalism. We should not tolerate rule by belief. Go to church and seek out your higher power there if that is what you want. But seek it in the administrative processes of tyranny through emotional decree and gut-feelingisms... FFS!
Show us the evidence. That is what we are asking for, simply, show us the evidence! And quit slagging people and projecting your thinking errors on to other people - Trophy hunting grizzly bears? Who told you that about who?
Perhaps all the Whiners have left Ontario to drop their scat elsewhere because there was little tolerance for it there... The infection, like a good virus, is attempting to spread to another host... Go sing your songs of Socialism with the SS Liberals on their sinking ship.
Up 0 Down 0
Goat Catcher on Nov 15, 2020 at 11:39 am
MO - It’s not about having a job and having an opinion on a related matter. It is a matter of perceived or real conflicts of interest that need to be addressed in a meaningful way. This is a very real live issue here in the Yukon and these conflicts need to stop and be managed in a way that reflects the seriousness of the issue.
There are procedures, policies and laws in place to manage these things and as a lot of people know they are not effectively managed. Having an opinion when one is in a position of authority over something is a much different thing than simply having an opinion.
But hey, perhaps that's not your MO?
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My Opinion on Nov 14, 2020 at 2:36 pm
@Goat @Don
Please guys. Everyone including you two have some sort of preconceived positions on subjects, as you have demonstrated.
People (one would hope) can still have a job while having an opinion or are you suggesting otherwise?
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Nathan Living on Nov 14, 2020 at 12:25 pm
IBrian
Maybe some truth in what you say, and a little sarcasm and shaming of people who came here from Ontario.
Why is it that a precautionary approach is almost invariably met with a weird intensity from the old guard?
Burbot are vulnerable to baited set lines and let's face it people want to eat them, no catch and release fishing for this species.
It does not take much to fish down some lakes and species which is why we should let managers use precaution with catch limits.
It's even worse when anyone talks about bear conservation in Yukon, the old guard wants their grizzly trophy and has no concern from taking an animal peacefully feeding on the side of a road.
Up 6 Down 0
Goat Catcher on Nov 13, 2020 at 4:27 pm
Agreed Don - There are too many dual relationships in the Yukon to suggest that there is any level of impartiality anywhere. We have a weak regulatory and legislative regime that further coddles these dual interests and when something does come to the attention of someone’s concern the matters are buried, and/or investigated by their friends and/or associates with similar interests.
It is a festival of orgiastic, nepotistic-cronyism wherein the back scratching can get pretty exuberant.
Up 10 Down 3
Don Taylor on Nov 13, 2020 at 11:07 am
Here we got a management board that is suppose to act in “the public interest” and be neutral but their Executive Director whose been there forever works for the Outfitting Industry as a guide. Proof here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZxfu1CQUNA
He talks about flying around the mountains finding the sheep and how that's so much easier than hiking after their spotted locations.
How does anybody believe this person doesn’t influence policy on the management board in favour of outfitting when he works directly for them? Honestly. The board chairs know all about this stuff and do nothing. It’s ok to have this kind of direct conflict of interest?
Does he work as a fishing guide, does anybody know?
Up 37 Down 15
iBrian on Nov 10, 2020 at 6:15 am
The Yukon’s fish and Wildlife Management Board gets the Eco-Missionary award of the week.
No data to back the allegations of any sort of decline in Burbot population. 110 Burbot caught on set lines last season doesn't constitute the need to restrict harvest to 1/3. No support from the First Nations or Renewable Resource Councils.
Pure political and some biologists agenda. These emotional biologists that we have hired now from Ontario. we should declare them a Invasive Species.
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Crunch on Nov 9, 2020 at 9:16 pm
In the 80's and 90's ling cod were vermin. Course fish which should be eliminated because they were decimating lake trout populations. Oh, I guess those fish biologists retired and there's a new game in town. The older you get it takes more to impress.
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Wilf Carter on Nov 9, 2020 at 3:13 pm
News alert Liberals are looking at putting on fees to use your pleasure boats in Canada. Can you imagine how much money it would take out of Yukoners pockets. Just another tax. Source from liberal party.
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Wes on Nov 9, 2020 at 2:49 pm
"As well, recent population estimates indicate burbot population sizes in smaller lakes are less than previously thought."
So their estimates are showing previous estimates were incorrect? This doesn't jive with the their stated "Population surveys conducted since 2011 indicate smaller population..."
What is it? Are they basing this decision on actual data or estimates?
I remember back when Environment actually got out in the field, now I guess the biologists don't want to miss their yoga class.