Tensions are rising among some local Sto:lo bands told to wait until July 26 to set nets for a dry-rack sockeye fishery while sports fishers are being given the green light.

Tyrone McNeil, a Sto:lo Tribal Council vice-president, tribal chief and fisherman, said he was told during a conference call Thursday by Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) representatives that sports fishers will be allowed to fish chinook with no gear restrictions on the Fraser River starting Friday.

The recreational opening is not for sockeye but McNeil said the gear "free-for-all" means other fish will be inadvertently snagged and sockeye will be killed.

"So they are going to be bottom-bouncing, snagging and DFO isn't concerned about it whatsoever yet they want to restrict us up the ying-yang," he told the Times. "It just doesn't make sense. They say their primary concern is ensuring as many Early Stuart get up the river as possible, yet thousands and thousands of sporties will be out with any tackle that they want."

A DFO spokesperson responded via e-mail that the recreational opening is for chinook, with size limits, and confirmed that there are no gear restrictions for the sports fishery.

DFO has told First Nations there is currently no fishing to be directed at sockeye and that if dry-rackers put down their nets before July 26 they may be charged.

On Thursday afternoon, McNeil was hoping to get authorization from area chiefs to respond to DFO's recreational opening, but many chief were in Victoria for the provincial government's official Salish Sea naming.

McNeil said if the river opens up to unrestricted sports fisheries Friday, "that is basically a green light for Sto:lo to set their nets."

"Nothing against the sporties but be mindful of the Constitution and Supreme Court decisions that say our needs need to be met first."

While tensions are already high early in the sockeye season, the forecast is for more than 11 million fish to return this year.

Given last year's call for 10 million sockeye, while less than two million showed up, most observers say they'll believe it when they see it.

"Although the Stuart returns are healthy because the pre-season forecasts are 41,000 and are now up to 110,000 and climbing, is that indicative the subsequent runs will perform in a similar fashion? That the runs will be large and healthy and terrific fisheries to come?" asked Ernie Crey, fisheries advisor to the Sto:lo Tribal Council. "I hope so but it's too early to say."

phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com