Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, July 18 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 28 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).  
Sockeye catches in all test fisheries have been very low to date.  Stock 
identification analyses are currently showing a continuation of the higher than 
expected proportions of Early Stuart sockeye and increasing proportions of 
Early Summer and Summer run stocks.  No late run stocks have been observed to 
date. 

Sample sizes from both in-river and marine test fisheries have remained low 
which results in a higher level of uncertainty in stock composition estimates.  
Hell's Gate observations have dropped in recent days and are lower than would 
be expected. During today's Panel call the start-up of the Purse seine test 
fisheries in Areas 12 and 20 was delayed by two days with start-up now planned 
for July 24 and 25 respectively.  These dates will be confirmed at the July 21 
Panel meeting. 

DNA analysis of samples taken in the marine test fisheries show sockeye stock 
compositions in Area 20 of approximately 47% Early Stuart, 42% Early Summers 
and 11% Summer run stocks.  During the call today, the Fraser Panel made no 
changes to the recently reduced Early Stuart run size of 50,000 with an Area 20 
peak run timing of July 3.  The estimated escapement of Early Stuart sockeye as 
of July 17 is 35,100 fish. Early summer run stocks are also tracking well below 
the p25 forecast of 166,000 but it is too early to tell if the returns are as 
weak as they appear or just later than expected.

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 and Summer-run sockeye past Mission through July 17 is only 
11,000 and 1,500 respectively. 

On July 17, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 4,041 m3/s, which is 
approximately 24% lower than average for this date. The temperature of the 
Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 17 was 17.2°C, which is 0.6°C higher than 
average for this date and is forecast to increase to 17.8°C by July 23.

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.  Due to the appearance of lateness and/or weakness 
in the returns of Early summers and Summers the start-up of sockeye directed 
FSC fisheries will be delayed until the identification of 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 
Friday, July 21, 2017.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0673
Sent July 18, 2017 at 1555

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