Fishery Notice

Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update (Areas 14 to 19)

Area 14 

Escapement estimates to date are as follows:  

Puntledge River, November 13 - 8,229 Chum to date including 3,436 in the lower 
river, 413 above the fence and 4,380 removed for brood stock - Target 
Escapement 60,000.  
Big Qualicum River, November 13 - 2,402 Chum including 41 above the fence, 
1,362 in the spawning channel and 1,000 below the fence - Target Escapement 
85,000.

Little Qualicum River, November 13 - estimate 11,000 Chum based on combination 
of last swim count and 1,580 Chum into the channel - Target Escapement 85,000. 

The current levels of escapement produce projections well below the target 
escapements. Assessment continues but there will be no commercial fisheries 
opportunities in 2019.

Areas 15 and 16 

The second aerial survey in Jervis/Narrows Inlet rivers was completed on 
November 6 and peak Chum estimates are 210 in Brittain, 1,300 in Skwawka, 1,520 
in Deserted, 100 in Vancouver and 1,020 in Tzoonie. Tla'amin staff have 
reported 1,822 Chum in Sliammon Creek counted at the fence up to November 8.  
The peak count on Theodosia River estimated 895 Chum on October 15, with 70% 
new fish. Okeover Creek stream walk on November 5 estimated 57 Chum. 

The current levels of escapement produce projections well below the target 
escapements. Assessment continues but there will be no commercial fisheries 
opportunities in 2019.

Areas 17, 18, and 19

Escapement estimates to date are as follows: 

Nanaimo River, November 11 - 20,000 - Target Escapement 40,000. 
Cowichan River, November 12 - 89,000 - Target Escapement 160,000.
Goldstream River, November 13 - 11,760 live/2,650 dead - Target Escapement 
15,000.

The Nanaimo River escapement estimate of 20,000 Chum is well below target 
escapement and should be nearing the end of the run. Commercial fisheries in 
the Nanaimo Area will not occur this year. Area 17 will close for the balance 
of the season. Assessment continues. 

The Cowichan River's escapement forecast estimate is below target escapement. 
Run timing should be near the 85% mark and forecasts are for a run of 
approximately 110,000 Chum. Assessment continues in the Cowichan Area but 
commercial opportunities in 2019 are very unlikely. 

The Goldstream in-river Chum count is indicating a forecasted escapement 
slightly above the 15,000 Chum target. Run timing appears to be early with 
approximately 80% of the run already in-river. The projected Chum escapement 
estimate based on early timing is 18,000 Chum with an uncertainty range of 
16,000-21,000. Assessment continues.   

There will not be a commercial fishery in Areas 17, 18 and 19 this week. 

The next Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update will be Thursday, November 21.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Terry Palfrey 250-756-7158
Matt Mortimer 250-286-5814

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1163
Sent November 14, 2019 at 1357

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