Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met July 26, 2022, to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser Sockeye run to date and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed. The marine gill net test fishery catches at Round Island have been low, with daily Sockeye catches ranging from 7 to 30 over three days from July 23 to July 25, while catches in Area 20 dropped to 5 Sockeye on July 25 after catches of 165 and 249 on July 23 and 24, respectively. The catches in the Area 12 marine purse seine test fishery were 213 and 407 for the first two days of operation on July 24 and 25, respectively.  The Area 20 purse seine test fishery began July 25 with a catch on the first day of 133 Sockeye. The Area 13 purse seine test fishery began operation on July 26. Gill net test fishing catches in the Fraser River have been steadily increasing since the last update, with recent catches of 20, 84, and 42 for Cottonwood, Brownsville Bar, and Whonnock on July 25, respectively. Catches in the Qualark test fishery for the last few days have also increased from 27 on July 21 to 52, 49 and 51 on July 22, 23 and 24 respectively.

The most recent DNA samples collected from the Area 12 and Area 20 gill net test fisheries on July 22 and 23, indicated that between 0% and 5% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 35% and 43% are Early Summer run Sockeye, between 45% and 55% are Summer run Sockeye, and between 5% and 13% are Late run stocks. Recent DNA information from in-river test fisheries collected on July 22 to 24 indicated that between 7% and 22% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 72% and 79% are Early Summer run stocks, between 5% and 14% are Summer run stocks and between 0% and 1% are Late run stocks. The current 5-day average diversion rate through Johnstone Strait is 23%.

The total escapement estimate to July 25, 2022, is estimated to be 359,500, of which 226,900 are estimated to be Early Stuart Sockeye, 121,000 are estimated to be Early Summer run stocks, 11,000 are estimated to be Summer run stocks, and 600 are estimated to be Late run stocks. During the Panel call on July 26 there was no change to the previously adopted Early Stuart run size of 230,000, with an Area 20 peak timing of July 6 and a proportional difference between estimates (pDBE) of -0.93.  As a reminder, at this run size and management adjustment there is no TAC for Early Stuart Sockeye.  Discharge levels in the Fraser River remain above average for this time period, and there still remains concern for Sockeye survival for those early stocks migrating to the upper watershed given observations of dark and heavily coloured fish in the lower and mid-river areas of the Fraser River. In-season assessment of all run timing groups generally occurs shortly after identification of their peak migration through marine areas. 

With water discharge levels dropping, increased numbers of total salmon have been observed passing the Churn Creek sonar site above the Big Bar Landslide.  Data from the sonar program suggests that, based on length information, an increased proportion of the fish passing Churn Creek could be Sockeye, however, passage is still dominated by Chinook salmon. Until discharge levels drop to the point where there is unimpeded passage, the Big Bar Landslide in the Fraser River upstream of Lillooet, will continue to be an impediment to upstream migration for many Sockeye destined for spawning habitats upstream of the slide. Robust assessment programs to evaluate passage success, as well as mitigation measures such as fish transport and brood stock collection for enhancement purposes will continue for the 2022 season. Additional information can be found at the following link: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pacific-smon-pacifique/big-bar-landslide-eboulement/index-eng.html

The observed water temperature at Qualark on July 25, 2022 was 16.3° Celsius which is 1.6° Celsius below average for this date. Water temperatures are forecast to increase to 18.6° Celsius by July 31. The Fraser River discharge at Hope on July 25 was 6,532 cubic meters per second which is 38% above the average discharge for this date. Discharge levels are forecast to drop to 5,923 cubic meters per second by July 31. Actual water temperatures and discharge levels will be monitored closely during the 2022 return to determine if migration issues develop. 

Management adjustments are additional fish that are removed from identified harvest levels and allowed to escape upstream in an attempt to assist in achievement of identified escapement objectives for the different run timing groups. For pre-season planning purposes, the Fraser Panel adopted management adjustments for Early Stuart based on the median for all years since 1995, Early Summer based on the historical all years median, Summer run Sockeye based on the pre-season 31-day temperature and discharge model, and Late run based on the dominant/other years median. The in-season approach to determining management adjustments will remain similar to pre-season for all management groups except for the Early Stuart, which will shift to the in-season Supplemental Approach based on all years since 1977. The Panel will continue to be provided and review the results from the historical temperature and discharge models, as well as observations of fish health throughout the watershed when making in-season decisions.

Currently, First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) Sockeye fisheries are closed due a 4-week window closure to protect Early Stuart and the earlier-timed Early Summer run stocks. The same window closure ended in most marine areas where Fraser Sockeye may be present, however there is no available Sockeye total allowable catch (TAC) for First Nations FSC fisheries to harvest at this time. The start-up of Sockeye directed FSC fisheries is not anticipated until Fraser Sockeye TAC is identified, which will like be delayed until late July or early August in marine areas and early to mid-August in-river. Very limited fishing opportunities directed at Chinook salmon for ceremonial purposes have occurred to date with non-retention restrictions in place for 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. Commercial and recreational fisheries directed at Fraser Sockeye remain closed at this time. 

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on July 29, 2022.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Regional Salmon Team - DFO Pacific
DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0795
Sent July 26, 2022 at 1516

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on June 11, 2026 at 0501