Fishery Notice

Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update (Areas 14 to 19)

Thursday November 23, 2017


Area 14 

Escapement estimates to date are as follows:  

Puntledge River - 40,263 chum - November 8 - Target Escapement 60,000. No swim 
conducted this week due to high water flows.     
Big Qualicum River - 21,963 chum - November 22 - Target Escapement 85,000.
Little Qualicum River - 6,858 chum - November 22 - Target Escapement 85,000. No 
swim conducted due to high water flows; estimated number. 

Area 14 will be closed for the remainder of the season. Assessment of the Area 
14 systems will continue, but escapement numbers are not expected to change 
significantly.


Areas 15 and 16 

Commercial fishing opportunities are not expected in 2017 due to low forecast 
levels of abundance and low returns being observed in these areas.


Areas 17, 18, and 19

Chum escapement estimates to date are as follows: 

Nanaimo River 	- 78,000 - November 10 - Target Escapement 40,000. 
Chemainus River 	- unknown - Target Escapement 50,000.
Cowichan River 	- 187,000 - November 12 - Target Escapement 160,000.
- Projected Preliminary Final Escapement 195,000
Goldstream River - 12,800 - November 18 - Target Escapement 15,000.

Didson counters were used to determine instream migration on the Nanaimo, 
Cowichan and the Chemainus River.  All Didson counters have been removed for 
the season.  Stream surveys on the Goldstream River started October 18 and will 
continue when water conditions allow. 

In Area 17 the commercial gill net, seine and troll fisheries closed for the 
balance of the season as of 20:00 hours November 9, 2017.  Total catch for the 
Nanaimo Area is approximately 125,000 chum.

In Area 18 commercial gill net, seine and troll fisheries began in the Cowichan 
Area on November 2 targeting surplus Cowichan River chum.  Fleet size and catch 
have dropped considerably in the last week.  After discussions with Harvest 
Committee members and fishers on the ground, Area 18 will close for the balance 
of the season on Friday, November 24, 2017 at 20:00 hours.  Preliminary total 
catch for the Cowichan Area is approximately 160,000 chum.


Next Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update will be Thursday, November 30.


FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Terry Palfrey  	250-756-7158 - Nanaimo
Christine Bukta	250-286-5888 - Campbell River

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1234
Sent November 23, 2017 at 1326

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