First Nations leaders along the Fraser River are being asked to do something they've never been asked to do by the federal government, according to an aboriginal official — ration their salmon catch and share among themselves.

Sto:lo Nation fisheries adviser Ernie Crey said 2008 is the worst year he's seen in five decades for returning sockeye on the Fraser.

Leaders representing 94 First Nations bands made up of more than 70,000 people have been meeting to come up with a catch-sharing program, Crey said Wednesday. Normally, aboriginal fishermen have the right to catch as much as they need for their own communities' consumption.

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