Mike Alexander of Alexander Simms Sports in Kippens says there is a direct correlation between his sales of salmon angling supplies when rivers go to catch-and-release.
“The sales just stopped,” he said of last year’s closure of retention angling by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), with only catch-and-release, which was imposed on Aug. 6.
Alexander said it’s not just for this area, that businesses across the province selling angling supplies had that section of their business decimated.
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He said the bulk of his sales in that area are to local anglers and the bulk of those are not into catch-and-release.
Alexander said the uncertainly over the status of salmon stocks in this province is already affecting his business for this year, as some people have cancelled their orders for products because they’re not sure they’re going to be able to go fishing.
He was pleased to see the provincial government come out this week with its position on the inland management of Atlantic salmon for the 2018-19 angling season, which is similar to last year’s plan — issuing six tags for a retention fishery, but with other measures in place.
Alexander, like many people, is waiting for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to reveal its salmon management plan.
He’s holding off on stocking up with supplies until he hears the decision by DFO.
Alexander said it’s likely the same story that could be told by every sports store across the province.
“It’s huge,” he said.
Last year when it went to catch-and-release, Alexander said he was shocked by what happened.
“What’s usually one of my busiest times of the year, I didn’t sell a fly, leader, line, waders and no angling licences,” he said.
Alexander said, as an angler who enjoys getting on the river, he doesn’t mind releasing a salmon under certain circumstances, but if you can’t take any home, that’s a different situation.
He said it’s like a special treat to take home a few salmon, especially if you’re spending hundreds of dollars on equipment.
“Having that carrot there really motivates Newfoundland anglers and I guess I’m like that, too,” he said. “I’m curious to see what the salmon count will be this year.”
Meanwhile, concerned with what’s going to happen, Sid Styles, chair of the Bay St. George Salmon Stewardship Group, has a series of meetings planned for the Bay St. George area.
He said it’s time to get back out to restore the confidence in the success the group had in increasing salmon numbers in Bay St. George rivers.
Styles said local anglers and grassroots people in the area have done tremendous work in restoring salmon levels by having retention anglers on the rivers.
“If you want continued increases for the benefit of all anglers, attend one of these meetings,” he said.
Bay St. George Salmon Stewardship Group meetings:
Flat Bay, The People’s Complex, April 5 at 7:30 p.m.
St. George’s, Siki Bennett Memorial Complex, April 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Jeffrey’s, Royal Canadian Legion, April 11 at 7:30 p.m.