Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, July 14, 2017 to receive an update on the 
migration of the Fraser sockeye and pink runs to date and review the status of 
migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.	

Gill net test fishing began in the Fraser River on June 28th at Whonnock, July 
2 at Qualark Creek and July 12 at Cottonwood. In marine waters the gill net 
test fisheries began on July 7 in Area 20 and July 11 in Area 12 (Round 
Island).  Very few sockeye have been caught in all test fisheries to date.  
Stock identification analyses are currently showing higher than expected 
proportions of Early Stuart sockeye and increasing proportions of Early Summer 
stocks.  Low proportions of summer run stocks and no late run stocks have been 
observed to date. At this time sample sizes from both in-river and marine test 
fisheries have been small which results in a higher level of uncertainty in 
stock proportion estimates.  Hell's Gate observations indicate a steady 
movement of low numbers of sockeye in recent days. Purse seine test fisheries 
in Areas 12 and 20 are not expected to commence until July 22 and 23 
respectively with Area 13 beginning on July 28.

DNA analysis of samples taken in the marine test fisheries show sockeye stock 
compositions in Area 20 of approximately 55% Early Stuart, 33% Early Summers 
and 12% Summer run stocks.  The delayed start-up of the marine and in-river 
test fisheries and the Mission hydro-acoustics program has resulted in very 
limited data being available to assess the run timing and abundance of Early 
Stuart sockeye.  At this time the available data suggests that Early Stuart 
sockeye are tracking well below p50 run size of 99,000. During the call today, 
the Fraser Panel reduced the Early Stuart run size to 50,000 with an Area 20 
peak run timing of July 3.  The estimated escapement of Early Stuart sockeye as 
of July 13 is 27,400 fish.

In-season assessment of all run timing groups generally occurs shortly after 
identification of their peak migration through marine areas.  Early Summer 
stocks are starting to build in marine and in-river test fishery samples.  Run-
size estimates of Early Summer returns should be available in late July after 
their expected peak migration through marine areas.  The estimated escapement 
of Early Summer-run sockeye past Mission through July 13 is 6,600 fish. 

On July 13, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 4,693 m3/s, which is 
approximately 14% lower than average for this date.  The temperature of the 
Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 13 was  17.0°C, which is 0.9°C higher 
than average for this date.

For pre-season planning purposes the Fraser Panel has adopted management 
adjustments for Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye that reflect the 
forecast water temperature and discharge conditions based on the May and June 
information for Early Summer and Summers and anticipated river entry dates for 
Late run fish.  Management adjustments are additional fish that are removed 
from identified harvest levels and allowed to migrate upstream in an attempt to 
assist in achievement of identified spawner objectives for the different run 
timing groups.  In-season information in the coming weeks will help to inform 
future decisions on management adjustments for the Early Summer and Summer 
management groups while the Early Stuart and Late run management groups will be 
managed based on the respective Low Abundance Exploitation Rate (LAER) for each 
group (10% for Early Stuart and 20% for Lates).  There will be no in-season 
estimates of management adjustment for Early Stuart in 2017 as the forecast 
returns are very low across most of the forecast range and it is anticipated 
they will be managed to the LAER, with the expected outcome of a spawning 
escapement well below target.

First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) sockeye fisheries have been 
restricted by the 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart and the 
earliest timed Early Summer stocks with limited fishing opportunities to date 
directed at chinook salmon.  The start-up of sockeye directed FSC fisheries is 
not anticipated before late July or early August depending upon location and 
will be based on the identification of sockeye TAC for Early Summer or Summer 
sockeye.

FSC fishers in marine approach areas as well as the Fraser River are requested 
to check for the opening times and any restrictions in their local area.

Given the low returns to date there are no fisheries directed upon Fraser River 
sockeye scheduled at this time, and updates will continue to be provided 
following meetings of the Fraser River Panel on Tuesdays and Fridays of each 
week.

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on 
Tuesday, July 18, 2017.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0665
Sent July 17, 2017 at 0934

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