Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 17, 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.	

Area 20 gill net test fishery catches have been steady in recent days while 
Purse Seine test fishery catches in both Areas 12 and 20 have been fluctuating 
in the 3,000 to 8,000 range in recent days. The Area 20 gill net test fishery 
terminated last night as per the pre-season schedule.  Stock identification 
samples from both Areas 12 and 20 are now showing equal proportions of Summers 
and Late Run stocks dominating the stock composition with low levels of Early 
Summers continuing to show in both approaches. 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 29% based on the average of the 
estimates derived from the most recent 5 days of catch in the Areas 20 and 12 
gill net and purse seine test fisheries.

Gill net test fisheries in the Fraser River have not fished the last two days 
due to the Area E commercial fisheries on Wednesday and Thursday. Daily Mission 
escapement estimates have decreased to 69,000 on August 16 due to the recent 
Area E fisheries. The estimated total Sockeye escapement to August 16 is 
2,301,800. Stock identification analyses from samples taken in the lower Fraser 
River indicate that Early Summers are making up 30 to 40% of the stock 
composition while Summers make up 55 to 70%. Within the Early Summer run group 
the later timed South Thompson Early Summer stocks are 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 showing up in the river samples at very low proportions 
indicating that Late Run fish are now holding in the Gulf. Current estimates 
are approximately 283,000 Late Run sockeye are holding.

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 temperature 
forecasts and run timing. 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 16 has decreased to 19.2° 
Celsius which is 1.2° Celsius above average for this date. Water temperatures 
are forecast to increase to 19.5° Celsius by August 22. 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 16 was 2,731 cubic meters per second 
which is 17% below the average discharge for this date.

During the Panel meeting today there were no changes made to the run size or 
management adjustments for any of the run timing groups. Early summer, Summer 
and Late Run run timing groups are all tracking their respective p50 forecast 
abundances at this time. In-season assessment of all run timing groups 
generally occurs shortly after identification of their peak migration through 
marine areas. 

The fourth spawning ground report was released on August 16. Early Stuart 
Sockeye migration is decreasing at this time and appears to be past the peak of 
spawn in most tributaries. Fish condition is reported as being good however the 
number of pre-spawn mortalities has increased since the last report. The Scotch 
Creek counting fence was operational on August 9 with 611 sockeye enumerated to 
date, all being in good condition. The Eagle River Hydroacoustic site was 
operational on August 10 with 2,006 fish having been estimated to have passed 
the site to date. The Nadina Spawning Channel operations continue to be 
influenced by forest fire in the immediate area. Water has been turned on in 
the channel and fish are entering but not being enumerated at this time.  The 
Stellako River hydroacoustics site was operational on August 1 with a total of 
74,479 sockeye estimated 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 5,188 sockeye estimated to date. In the Quesnel River 
the hydroacoustics site was operational on August 7 with 51,648 sockeye 
estimated to date. The counting fence at Sweltzer Creek was installed on July 
31 and 11 Sockeye have been counted into Cultus Lake to date. Water 
temperatures are high and fish were observed in good condition and vigorous. 

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 fisheries 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 
considered for 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 while a proposed opening for Treaty Indians in 6, 
7 and 7a on Tuesday, August 21 will be discussed during a small group call on 
Monday, August 20 to determine if the fishery will proceed as planned.

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on 
Tuesday, August 21, 2018.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0811
Sent August 17, 2018 at 1539

Return to Main Menu

Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on February 17, 2026 at 0924