Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 10, to receive an update on the 
migration of the Fraser Sockeye runs to date and review the status of migration 
conditions in the Fraser River watershed.	

Gill net test fishery catches in the Fraser River have declined in recent days 
largely as a result of the numerous fisheries that have been occurring in the 
river (commercial and First Nations). Mission escapement estimates have also 
decreased in recent days again due to removals by fisheries downstream from 
Mission. The estimated total Sockeye escapement to August 9 is 1,335,300. Stock 
identification analyses from samples taken in the lower Fraser River indicate 
that  Early Summers are declining while Summers make up the majority of the 
stock composition (56 to 65%)at this time. Within the Early Summer run group 
the later timed South Thompson Early Summer stocks are now the dominant stock 
with Nadina fluctuating at lower levels. The Summer run timing group are 
primarily Chilko/Quesnel with lower proportions of Late Stuart/Stellako and 
Raft. Late Run stocks are continuing to show up in the river samples in higher 
proportions than would normally be expected this time of year. 

Marine gill net test fishery catches have declined recently in Areas 12 and 20 
with catches in Area 12 still being affected by a large bloom of brown algae. 
The seine test fishery catches in both Areas 12 and 20 have been fluctuating in 
recent days with Area 20 having the largest catch of the year of 8,796 on 
August 9. Both Areas 20 and 12 are showing Summers dominating the stock 
composition with increasing proportions of Late Run fish and decreasing 
proportions of Early Summers. In the Early Summer Run group the later timed 
South Thompson stocks are making up the largest component of the aggregate with 
Nadina still present. The current estimate for the diversion rate through 
Johnstone Strait has increased to 30% based on the average of the estimates 
derived from most recent 5 days of catch in the Areas 20 and 12 gill net and 
purse seine test fisheries.

Pre-season the Fraser Panel adopted management adjustments(MA) for Early Stuart 
based on the historical median for all years, Early Summer based on the 
historical median for dominant years only (2018 cycle) and Summer run Sockeye 
based on the historical median for all years. Model predicted management 
adjustments based on the water discharge and temperature predictions were not 
adopted largely due to the high degree of uncertainty in the forecasts. 
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. In-season information over the coming weeks will help to inform future 
decisions on management adjustments for the Early Summer, Summer and Late run 
management groups while the Early Stuart management group continues to be 
managed based on the Low Abundance Exploitation Rate (LAER) of 10%. It is 
anticipated the Early Stuart Sockeye return will result in a spawning 
escapement being below goal.

The observed water temperature at Qualark on August 9 was 20.4° Celsius which 
is 2.3° Celsius above average for this date. Water temperatures are forecast to 
decrease to 20.0° Celsius by August 15. At higher water temperatures sockeye 
have increased migration difficulties which may result in future changes to the 
Management Adjustments for fish migrating upstream. The Fraser River discharge 
at Hope on August 9 was 2,881 cubic meters per second which is 23% below the 
average discharge for this date.

During the Panel meeting today there were no changes made to the run size for 
any of the run timing groups. It is anticipated that there may be a 
modification to the run size for Early Summers made at the next Panel meeting 
on August 14. Currently the Early Summer group is tracking below the p50 
forecast of 2,155,000. In-season assessment of all run timing groups generally 
occurs shortly after identification of their peak migration through marine 
areas. 

The third spawning ground report was released on August 9. Early Stuart Sockeye 
are continuing to arrive in the terminal area and are at or near peak spawning. 
Fish condition is reported as being good with low levels of pre-spawn 
mortality. The Scotch Creek counting fence was operational on August 9 with 
sockeye being observed below the fence. The Nadina Spawning Channel is 
currently not operational due to forest fires in the immediate area. Fish have 
been observed holding in the river below the channel outlet. The Stellako River 
hydroacoustics site was operational on August 1 with 40,650 sockeye counted to 
date. The majority of these fish would be Nadina sockeye at this time. The 
Chilko River hydroacoustics site was operational on August 3 with a total of 
297 sockeye estimated to date. In the Quesnel River the hydroacoustics site was 
operational on August 7 with 2,085 sockeye estimated to date. The counting 
fence at Sweltzer Creek was installed on July 31 and 7 Sockeye have been 
counted into Cultus Lake to date. Water temperatures are high and fish were 
observed in good condition. 

Currently, First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) Sockeye fisheries 
are underway in Marine areas and the Fraser River. In addition several First 
Nation Economic Opportunity are being planned in the lower Fraser river. 
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. 

Retention of Sockeye in marine and in-river recreational fisheries began on 
August 1 and 7 respectively. Commercial fisheries are either underway or being 
planned in Areas B, D, E, G and H. The details for these fisheries will be 
identified in separate Fisheries Notices.  

During the call today the Panel approved an extension to the US commercial 
fishery in Areas 4b, 5 and 6c from noon Saturday, August 11 until noon 
Wednesday, August 15. 

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on 
Tuesday, August 14, 2018.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Regional Salmon Team - DFO Pacific
DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0766
Sent August 10, 2018 at 1515

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on February 17, 2026 at 0934