Fishery Notice
Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject:
FN0919-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - August 21, 2015
The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 21st, to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser sockeye and pink runs to date and review the status of migration conditions within the Fraser River watershed. The migration of Fraser sockeye and pink salmon through the marine approach areas has been difficult to ascertain in recent days due to high winds in the Johnstone Strait test fishing areas. Migration into the Fraser River for both species has increased in recent days although they continue to be well below expected levels for the time of year and forecast run size. The majority of the sockeye return continues to be Summer run stocks with small contributions from Early Summer and Late run stocks. Estimates of daily Mission passage of sockeye have continued to be in the 50,000 to 65,000 in the last few days while observations at Hells Gate continued to show an increasing passage of fish. The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine seine test fisheries show sockeye stock compositions of 4 to 10% Early Summers, 78 to 86% Summer runs and 11 to 14% Late run stocks depending upon the approach area. At this time, the 5 day average diversion rate through Johnstone Strait for sockeye has increased to 90%. During the Panel call on Friday, the run size for Early Summer sockeye remained at 350,000 fish with an associated run timing of July 29th in Area 20. It is anticipated that the run size will increase marginally over the next week. The number of Early Summer run sockeye estimated to have passed Mission through August 20th is 304,100 fish of which 52,000 are estimated to be Early Thompson populations. Due to a continuing abundance of Summer run stocks in Johnstone Strait and increased abundances passing Mission than projected in recent days the Fraser Panel increased the run size of Summer run stocks today to 1.6 million with a peak run timing in Area 20 of August 11th which is 4 days later than the pre- season timing of August 7th. All Summer run stocks are returning well below their respective p50 forecasts suggesting they suffered below average survival in marine and/or freshwater environments. The number of Summer run sockeye estimated to have passed Mission through August 20th is 828,600 fish. The return of Late run sockeye has also been tracking well below expected levels for the time of year and forecast run size. At the meeting today the Panel made no changes to the run size (419,000 fish) for this aggregate. The number of Late run sockeye estimated to have passed Mission through August 20th is 20,700. On August 20th, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 2,203 cms, which is approximately 28% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 20th increased to 19.7°C, which is 1.7°C above average for this date. The river discharge level is forecast to drop to 1,999 cms by August 26th while water temperatures are forecast to decrease to 18.3°C for the same date. It should be noted that there is considerable uncertainty in the temperature forecasts as weather predictions are highly uncertain. After reviewing environmental and stock assessment information, there were no further changes to the management adjustment factors for any of the run timing groups on today's Fraser Panel meeting. Management adjustments are additional fish that are removed from identified harvest levels and allowed to escape upstream in an attempt to assist in achievement of escapement objectives for the different run timing groups. Observations of fish condition in the Fraser River to date have shown low levels of fish showing signs of stress or dead fish due to environmental conditions. At this time it continues to be too early to assess the return of Fraser pink salmon. Abundances to date are tracking the p25 run size based on normal timing. Recent stock composition samples available for today's meeting indicate an increase in the proportion of Fraser pinks to 75% in Area 20 and 58% in Area 12. Run size and timing updates for Fraser pinks will likely begin in mid to late August. First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) fisheries in marine areas and the Fraser River mainstem up to French Bar Creek remain closed to sockeye retention at this time. FSC fisheries upstream of French Bar Creek remain open to sockeye retention as minimal catches have been recorded to date. Fishers are requested to check for the opening times and any restrictions in their local area. There are no planned commercial or recreational fisheries on sockeye at this time. The fourth upstream escapement report was released by DFO this week. Observations of Early Stuart sockeye in the spawning areas indicate that sockeye are present in a number of spawning areas and are generally in good condition although there has been an increase in pre-spawn mortalities in the most recent observation period. Water levels and temperatures are normal for this time of year. Enumeration programs are underway in a number of Early Summer and Summer run systems with increasing numbers of fish being observed. A total of 18 sockeye have been counted through the fence at Sweltzer Creek (Cultus) to date. The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, August 25th, 2015. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jennifer Nener 604-666-6478
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0919
Sent August 24, 2015 at 0956
Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on March 28, 2024 at 1754
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