Fishery Notice

Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update (Areas 14 to 19)

Area 14 

Escapement estimates to date are as follows:  

Puntledge River, November 5 - 5,995 Chum to date including 2,000 in the lower 
river, 413 above the fence and 3,582 removed for brood stock - Target 
Escapement 60,000.  
Big Qualicum River, November 6 - 2,152 Chum including 41 above the fence, 1,109 
in the spawning channel and 1,000 below the fence - Target Escapement 85,000.
Little Qualicum River, October 31 - swim estimated 6,800 Chum during poor 
counting conditions. The count into the channel as of November 6 is 1,223 Chum. 
There is a swim planned for November 7 - Target Escapement 85,000. 

The current levels of escapement produce projections well below the target 
escapements. Assessment continues but there will be no commercial fisheries 
opportunities in 2019.

Areas 15 and 16 

The second aerial survey in Jervis/Narrows Inlet rivers was completed on 
November 6 and peak chum estimates are 210 in Brittain, 1,300 in Skwawka, 1,520 
in Deserted, 100 in Vancouver and 1,020 in Tzoonie. Tla'amin staff have 
reported 1,762 Chum in Sliammon Creek counted at the fence up to November 5.  
The peak count on Theodosia River estimated 895 chum on October 15, with 70% 
new fish. Okeover Creek stream walk on October 30 estimated 46 Chum. 

The current levels of escapement produce projections well below the target 
escapements. Assessment continues but there will be no commercial fisheries 
opportunities in 2019.

Areas 17, 18, and 19

Escapement estimates to date are as follows: 

Nanaimo River, November 3 - 15,500 - Target Escapement 40,000. 
Cowichan River, November 6 - 83,490 - Target Escapement 160,000.
Goldstream River, November 6 - 9,300 - Target Escapement 15,000.

DIDSON counters were installed in the Nanaimo River on October 1 and in the 
Cowichan River on October 11. Stream surveys of the Goldstream River began 
October 14. Both the Nanaimo and Cowichan River's escapement estimates are low 
for this time period. The Goldstream in-river chum count is indicating an 
escapement above the 15,000 chum target, however, it appears to be trending 
towards early run timing. Forecasted weather through the weekend should 
increase water levels and help migration. Chum estimates next week should 
provide a clearer picture of actual chum strength.   

There will not be a commercial fishery in Areas 17, 18 and 19 this week. 

The next Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update will be Thursday, November 14.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Terry Palfrey 250-756-7158
Matt Mortimer 250-286-5814

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1148
Sent November 7, 2019 at 1313

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