Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, September 14, 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.	

The Purse Seine test fishery in Area 12 was terminated on September 11 with a 
catch of 81 fish for the day. Stock composition information from the last day 
of test fishing was 14% Summer run fish and 86% Late run fish.

Gill net test fishery catches in the Fraser River have been fluctuating for the 
past several days with Whonnock catches peaking at 133 on September 12, 
followed by a drop to 107 on September 13. Cottonwood catches have also 
fluctuated but at slightly higher levels peaking at 173 on September 12 
followed by a drop to 139 on September 13. Daily Mission escapement estimates 
have gradually increased from 26,400 on September 12 to 40,100 on September 13. 
The estimated total Sockeye escapement past Mission to September 13 is 
4,101,000. This is comprised of 121,400 Early Stuarts, 1,119,100 Early Summers, 
2,059,000 Summers and 801,500 Late run fish. Stock identification analyses from 
recent samples taken in the lower Fraser River indicate that Early Summers have 
decreased to 0% of the stock composition while Summers have fluctuated between 
6 and 17% and Lates have ranged between 83 and 94% in the most recent below 
Bridge sample. The most recent two samples taken at the Whonnock test fishery 
was comprised of between 0 and 11% Early Summers, 18 and 28% Summers and 61 and 
82% Late run fish. The current estimate for holding Late Run fish is between 
1.3 and 5.0 million fish.

During the Panel meeting today there were no changes made to the run size or 
Management Adjustments for Early Summer, Summer or Late run management groups.  

The eighth spawning ground report was released on September 13.  The Scotch 
Creek counting fence was operational on August 9 with 78,987 sockeye enumerated 
to date. Fish are now past the peak of spawning in Scotch Creek. The Eagle 
River Hydroacoustic site was operational on August 10 with 227,164 fish having 
been estimated to have passed the site to date. Fish are past the peak of 
spawning. The Nadina Spawning Channel operations are now back to normal as the 
fire issues have ended. About 19,800 fish have entered the spawning channel at 
this time.  Fish are vigorous and in good condition. The Stellako River 
hydroacoustic site was operational on August 1 with a total of 178,085 sockeye 
estimated to have passed as of August 28. The majority of these fish would be 
Nadina sockeye at this time. Sockeye have recently been observed in Gates Creek 
with 1,760 counted into the spawning channel to date. Fish are at the peak of 
spawning.

The Chilko River hydroacoustics site was operational on August 3 with a total 
of 508,832 sockeye estimated to date. Fish are in the early stages of spawning. 
In the Quesnel River the hydroacoustics site was operational on August 7 with 
777,475 sockeye estimated to date. Fish are near the peak of spawning. The 
Stellako River hydroacoustics site was operational on August 1 with 111,130 
Stellako sockeye estimated since August 28. 

The hydroacoustics program in the Birkenhead River was operational on August 23 
with 9,176 fish enumerated past the site to date. Fish are reported to be 
vigorous with minimal pre-spawn mortality reported to date. The counting fence 
at Sweltzer Creek was installed on July 31 and 22 Sockeye have been counted 
into Cultus Lake to date. 

Currently, First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) and Economic 
Opportunity Sockeye fisheries are nearing completion in Marine areas and the 
lower Fraser River while FSC and commercial demonstration fisheries in the 
interior are ongoing.  First Nation 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 recreational fisheries began on August 1 and 
remains open while the in-river fishery in the lower Fraser River is currently 
closed to retention of sockeye. It is anticipated that the marine recreational 
fishery is likely to close to sockeye retention sometime mid to late next week 
with a final decision to be made following the next Panel call on Monday.

As there was no change to the run size or Management Adjustment for Late Run 
sockeye, there was no increase to the available TAC.  Commercial fisheries 
currently open for Areas B, D and H will continue until the previously 
announced closure date and time for Area D or until the remaining quotas are 
harvested for Areas B and H. Future fishing opportunities will be determined 
following the next Panel meeting on Monday. Please refer to fisheries notices 
for the individual fisheries for further details. 

The next Panel meeting will be on Monday, September 17 at 1 p.m.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1003
Sent September 14, 2018 at 1439

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