Fishery Notice
Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject:
FN0773-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye Update - Areas 11 to 29 - August 4, 2020
The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 4, 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. In November 2018 a rock landslide occurred at Big Bar in the Fraser River upstream of Lillooet. In 2019 this slide was a significant impediment to upstream migration for Sockeye, Chinook, Coho and Steelhead destined for spawning habitats upstream of the slide. Significant work has occurred over the past several months to improve passage for fish combined with assessment programs to evaluate passage success as well as brood stock collection for enhancement purposes. Additional information and regular updates on passage can be found at the following link. http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pacific-smon-pacifique/big-bar-landslide-eboulement/index-eng.html. Gill net test fishing Sockeye catches in the Fraser River at Whonnock and Cottonwood continue to be low with a recent catches of 6 and 0, respectively. The Qualark test fishery continues to have higher catches with 40 and 30 Sockeye caught on August 1 and 2, respectively. DNA samples from the Whonnock test fishery on July 31 to August 1 indicate that 0% are Early Stuart Sockeye, 16% are Early Summer stocks, 77% are Summer run stocks and 7% are Late run fish. During the Panel call today the decision was made to terminate the Cottonwood test fishery after completion of todays sets due to the extremely low catches this season. Purse seine test fisheries catches in Areas 12 and 20 have declined significantly in recent days. During the Panel call today the decision was made to terminate the Purse Seine test fisheries in Areas 12 and 20 on August 5 And 6, respectively. DNA samples from Area 12 taken on July 31 to August 1 indicated the stock composition was 0% Early Stuart, 13% Early Summer, 79% Summer run stocks and 8% Late run stocks. In Area 20 DNA samples from July 31 to August 1 indicated the stock composition was 0% Early Stuart, 4% Early Summer, 89% Summer and 7% Late run stocks. The current diversion rate through Johnstone Strait has increased to 34% based on the Areas 12 and 20 purse seine test catches during the last 5 days. The total Sockeye escapement to August 3 is estimated to be 122,800 of which 13,300 are Early Stuart Sockeye, 51,800 are Early Summer run stocks, 55,800 are Summer run stocks and 1,900 Late run stocks. Run size models are currently indicating that the Early Summer and Summer run stock groups are tracking at or below the p10 run size for both run timing groups. During the Panel call today the p10 run size for Early Summer run stocks of 72,000 was adopted by the Fraser Panel with an Area 20 peak run timing of July 17 which is 7 days earlier than the pre-season predicted timing. For Summer run stocks the Panel adopted the p25 run size of 311,000 with an Area 20 peak timing of August 7 which would be 7 days later than the pre-season predicted timing. In-season assessment of all run timing groups generally occurs shortly after identification of their peak migration through marine areas. The observed water temperature at Qualark on August 3 was 18.4° Celsius which is 0.4° Celsius above average for this date. Water temperatures are forecast to decrease to 17.6° Celsius by August 9. The Fraser River discharge at Hope on August 3 was 5,779 cubic meters per second which is 40% above the average discharge for this date. Discharge levels are forecast to decrease to 5,346 cubic meters per second by August 9. For pre-season planning purposes the Fraser Panel has adopted management adjustments for Early Stuart based on the historical median for all years, Early Summer based on the historical weighted all years median excluding Pitt and Chilliwack, and Summer run Sockeye based on the historical median for all years excluding Harrison. The Late run management adjustment is based on the weighted 2020 cycle line median excluding Birkenhead. 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. Returns at the p50 forecast level for all management groups in 2020 are below levels that generate allowable harvest and as such will be managed based on the respective Low Abundance Exploitation Rate (LAER) of 10% which will not require modifications to the management adjustments. If in-season run sizes increase to p75 levels or higher, modifications to the Late Run LAER and management adjustment may occur as required. Currently, Fraser River First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) Sockeye fisheries upstream of Quesnel remain closed due the 4 week window closure to protect Early Stuart and the earlier timed Early Summer run stocks. However there is no available TAC at this time for any directed harvest of Fraser River Sockeye. The start-up of Sockeye directed FSC fisheries is not anticipated in 2020 unless run sizes increase to the p75 level or higher which is unlikely at this time. Very limited fishing opportunities directed at Chinook salmon continue to occur with Sockeye non-retention regulations in place. FSC 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. Commercial and recreational fisheries are not anticipated on Fraser River Sockeye in 2020. The first in-season update on Fraser Sockeye spawning escapement was released by DFO stock assessment on July 30. No Sockeye have been observed in Early Stuart spawning tributaries to date. The hydro-acoustics program in the upper Chilliwack River estimates that 926 Sockeye have entered the river as of July 28. In addition the counting fence on Swelzter Creek (Cultus) was installed on July 27. The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on Friday, August 7, 2020. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Regional Salmon Team - DFO Pacific DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0773
Sent August 4, 2020 at 1701
Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on March 28, 2024 at 0632
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