Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met on Tuesday, August 1 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 catches remain very poor in Area 12 but have fluctuated 
considerably in Area 20 in recent days while purse seine test catches have been 
improving in Area 12 and declining in Area 20. The Area 13 purse seine test 
fishery began on July 31 with a modest catch in the first day of operation. The 
combination of the gill net and purse seine test catches in the two approach 
areas has resulted in an increase in the projected diversion rate through 
Johnstone Strait to 38% which remains below the pre-season forecast of 51%. 

In-river gill net test catches have been mixed with Whonnock having extremely 
low catches since testing began in early July and Cottonwood having increased 
catches in recent days. 

Stock identification information is currently indicating that Early Stuart 
sockeye have cleared the marine and lower Fraser River test fishing areas. The 
most recent DNA samples taken in the marine purse seine test fisheries show 
sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 0% Early Stuart, 13% 
Early Summer, 85% Summer and 2% Late run stocks. In Area 12, the purse seine 
stock composition was 0% Early Stuart, 21% Early Summer, 78% Summer and 1% Late 
run stocks. In-river stock identification information remains highly uncertain 
as sample sizes have been extremely low.

Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates have increased in recent days 
with the largest daily escapement estimate to date being 12,400 on July 31. The 
total estimated sockeye escapement as of July 31 is 119,300. Hell's Gate 
observations continue to be extremely low in recent days. 

During the call today, the Fraser Panel made no changes to the Early Stuart or 
Early Summer run sizes of 50,000 and 166,000 respectively. The estimated 
escapement past Mission of Early Stuart, Early Summer and Summer run sockeye as 
of July 31 is 44,600, 39,500 and 35,200 fish respectively. 

At the current run size for Early Summer run sockeye there is no TAC available 
and as such no sockeye directed fisheries are being considered at this time. In 
addition Summer run stocks continue to track well below the p25 forecast level, 
however, it is too early to make any run size modifications at this time.

On July 31, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 3,045 m3/s, which is 
approximately 30% lower than average for this date. The water temperature of 
the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 31 increased to 18.7°C which is 0.7°C 
higher than average for this date. The forecast is for water temperatures to 
increase to 19.9°C by August 6. Due to the very low discharge levels, water 
temperatures are highly influenced by air temperatures.

For pre-season planning purposes the Fraser Panel had adopted management 
adjustments (MA) 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 Summer run sockeye, and anticipated river 
entry dates for Late run fish. Due to the very poor return of Early Summer run 
stocks they are now being managed based on a Low Abundance Exploitation Rate 
(LAER) limit and as such there will be no modifications to the in-season MA for 
this group. Management adjustments are additional fish that are set aside 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 Summer management group 
while the Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run management groups will be 
managed based on the respective LAER for each group (10% for Early Stuart and 
Early Summers and 20% for Lates). There will be no in-season estimates of 
management adjustment for Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run groups in 
2017.

At this time it is too early to assess the return of Fraser pink salmon. Recent 
test fishery catches in the marine approach areas have shown increasing 
abundances of pink salmon. The first stock ID samples analyzed for Areas 12 and 
20 purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin pink salmon comprise 24 
and 16 percent respectively. Run size and timing updates for Fraser pinks will 
likely begin in mid to late August.

First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) sockeye fisheries have been 
restricted by a 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart and the earliest 
timed Early Summer run stocks with limited fishing opportunities to date 
directed at chinook salmon. Due to the apparent later than average run timing 
and/or weakness in the returns of Early Summer and Summer run stocks, the start-
up of sockeye directed FSC fisheries will continue to be delayed until there is 
an identification of TAC for Early Summer and/or Summer run 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, August 4, 2017.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0759
Sent August 1, 2017 at 1554

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