Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 21, 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.	

Purse Seine test fishery catches in Area 12 during the last three days ranged 
between 1,500 and 1,900 fish while Area 20 catches dropped from a high of 
11,611 on August 18 to 2,333 on August 20.  Stock identification samples from 
both Areas 12 and 20 are now showing higher proportions of Late Run stocks with 
declining proportions of Summers and 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 at very low levels. The current estimate for the diversion 
rate through Johnstone Strait has decreased to 28% based on the average of the 
estimates derived from the most recent 5 days of catch in the Areas 20 and 12 
purse seine test fisheries.

Gill net test fishery catches in the Fraser River have fluctuated the last 4 
days with Cottonwood showing a declining trend with a slight increase on August 
20. Daily Mission escapement estimates have increased from 69,000 on August 16 
to 164,200 on August 20. The estimated total Sockeye escapement to August 20 is 
2,783,700. Stock identification analyses from samples taken in the lower Fraser 
River indicate that Early Summers are making up from 20% to 35% of the stock 
composition while Summers make up 54% to 76%. Within the Early Summer run group 
the later timed South Thompson Early Summer stocks continue to be the dominant 
stock with Nadina fluctuating at lower levels. The Summer Run 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 holding in the Gulf however a 
slight increase occurred in the most recent sample. Current estimates are 
approximately 511,000 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 20 decreased to 17.3° 
Celsius which is 0.7° Celsius below average for this date. Water temperatures 
are forecast to decrease to 17.2° Celsius by August 26.  The Fraser River 
discharge at Hope on August 20 was 2,401 cubic meters per second which is 22% 
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. Recent information 
indicated Early Summer run stocks were declining in abundance in the approach 
areas but uncertainties in timing and stock composition resulted in no changes 
being made to the run size or timing. Summer and Late Run run timing groups are 
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 to Friday, August 24 at 1pm. In addition a short 
duration Treaty Indians in 6, 7 and 7a was approved for Friday, August 24 from 
5am to 1pm with potential for an extension to be determined during the next 
Panel meeting on Thursday, August 23 at 1pm.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0833
Sent August 21, 2018 at 1541

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on February 17, 2026 at 0944