Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met July 29, 2022, to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser Sockeye run to date and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed. The marine gill net test fishery catches at Round Island have remained low for most of the season, while catches in the Area 20 gill net test fishery have fluctuated, with catches from July 26 to 29 ranging from 73 and 140. The catches in the Area 12 marine purse seine test fishery were 654, 294, and 331 for July 26 to 28, respectively.  The Area 13 purse seine test fishery began July 26, with catches of 425, 1,426, and 445 over the first three days of operations from July 26 to 29.  Recent catches in the Area 20 purse seine test fishery for July 26 to 28 were 202, 1,558, and 1,304, respectively.  Gill net test fishing catches in the Fraser River have been low at Cottonwood and Whonnock from July 26 to 29, while catches at Brownsville Bar and Qualark have shown an increasing trend. 

The most recent DNA samples collected from the Area 12 and Area 20 test fisheries on July 25 and 26, indicated that between 0% and 7% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 21% and 51% are Early Summer run Sockeye, between 39% and 66% are Summer run Sockeye, and between 6% and 13% are Late run stocks. Recent DNA information from in-river test fisheries collected on July 25 to 27 indicated that between 2% and 9% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 55% and 61% are Early Summer run stocks, between 28% and 43% are Summer run stocks and between 0% and 3% are Late run stocks. The current 5-day average diversion rate through Johnstone Strait is 19%.

The total escapement estimate to July 28, 2022, is estimated to be 437,600, of which 231,300 are estimated to be Early Stuart Sockeye, 166,600 are estimated to be Early Summer run stocks, 37,200 are estimated to be Summer run stocks, and 2,500 are estimated to be Late run stocks. During the Panel call on July 26 there was no change to the previously adopted Early Stuart run size of 230,000, with an Area 20 peak timing of July 6 and a proportional difference between estimates (pDBE) of -0.93.  While it still remains early in the run timing, assessment information to date indicates that the Early Summer run Sockeye are returning between  the pre-season p25 and p50 forecast levels.  Based on the information to date, the Panel approved two fisheries in the United States Panel waters, one for a 2,000 piece Sockeye Ceremonial and Subsistence harvest on July 30 and 31 and another for a two-day opening in Area 4B/5/6C for Treaty Indian Gill Nets beginning August 1 at noon. Canada has not proposed any fisheries to date, but will be discussing the start-up of marine First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) fisheries in the coming days.  In-season assessment of all run timing groups generally occurs shortly after identification of their peak migration through marine areas. 

With water discharge levels dropping, increased numbers of Sockeye and Chinook salmon have been observed passing the Churn Creek sonar site above the Big Bar Landslide.  Robust assessment programs to evaluate passage success, as well as mitigation measures such as fish transport and brood stock collection for enhancement purposes will continue for the 2022 season. Additional information can be found at the following link: 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pacific-smon-pacifique/big-bar-landslide-eboulement/index-eng.html

The observed water temperature at Qualark on July 28, 2022 was 17.7° Celsius which is 0.5° Celsius below average for this date. Water temperatures are forecast to increase to 18.5° Celsius by August 3. The Fraser River discharge at Hope on July 28 was 6,050 cubic meters per second which is 33% above the average discharge for this date. Discharge levels are forecast to drop to 5,517 cubic meters per second by August 3. Actual water temperatures and discharge levels will be monitored closely during the 2022 return to determine if migration issues develop. 

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. For pre-season planning purposes, the Fraser Panel adopted management adjustments for Early Stuart based on the median for all years since 1995, Early Summer based on the historical all years median, Summer run Sockeye based on the pre-season 31-day temperature and discharge model, and Late run based on the dominant/other years median. The in-season approach to determining management adjustments will remain similar to pre-season for all management groups except for the Early Stuart, which will shift to the in-season Supplemental Approach based on all years since 1977. The Panel will continue to be provided and review the results from the historical temperature and discharge models, as well as observations of fish health throughout the watershed when making in-season decisions.

Currently, First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) Sockeye fisheries are closed due a 4-week window closure to protect Early Stuart and the earlier-timed Early Summer run stocks. The same window closure ended in the marine areas and the portion of the Fraser River below Sawmill Creek.  The Department will look to begin First Nations FSC fisheries with a slow start, beginning in the marine area first.  Opportunities to harvest Sockeye will be discussed with First Nations in the lower river over the coming week. The start-up of Sockeye directed FSC fisheries in other areas of the Fraser is not anticipated until the stock composition and TAC are identified to support FSC harvest opportunities. Very limited fishing opportunities directed at Chinook salmon for ceremonial purposes have occurred to date with non-retention restrictions in place for Sockeye. 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 directed at Fraser Sockeye remain closed at this time. 

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on August 2, 2022.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Regional Salmon Team - DFO Pacific
DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0822
Sent July 29, 2022 at 1450

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 May 14, 2024 at 0025