Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met August 2, 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 test fishing catches in Johnstone Strait continue to be variable but overall have been low, with the highest catches being observed in the Area 13 purse seine. 	 Recent test fishing catches in Juan de Fuca have fluctuated for both the gill net and purse seine, with the largest catch of 1,705 Sockeye occurring in the purse seine on August 1. Gill net test fishing catches in the Fraser River have been moderate to high over the last few days, with the highest catches being observed at Brownsville Bar and Qualark.

The most recent DNA samples collected from the Area 12 and Area 20 test fisheries on July 30, indicated that 0% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 19% and 24 are Early Summer run Sockeye, between 55% and 57% are Summer run Sockeye, and between 21% and 25% are Late run stocks. Recent DNA information from in-river test fisheries collected on July 29 to 31 indicated that between 2% and 6% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 39% and 45% are Early Summer run stocks, between 49% and 51% are Summer run stocks and 4% are Late run stocks. The current 5-day average diversion rate through Johnstone Strait is 19%.

The total escapement estimate to August 1, 2022, is estimated to be 579,500, of which 240,900 are estimated to be Early Stuart Sockeye, 229,100 are estimated to be Early Summer run stocks, 101,700 are estimated to be Summer run stocks, and 7,800 are estimated to be Late run stocks. During the Panel call on Aug 2, 2022, there was no change to the previously adopted Early Stuart run size of 230,000. The current in-season Early Stuart Sockeye run size estimate of 245,000 is based on the combined catch plus escapement to Mission and fish projected from the marine test fisheries. 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 the extension of the United States Area 4B/5/6C Treaty Indian Gill Net fishery in Panel waters from August 3 at noon to August 6 at noon. Catches and effort in this fishery have been very low to date and well within the US share at a p25 run size.  Canada did not propose any fisheries, however the marine area First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) fisheries are currently open with the use gill net, troll and hook and line gear.  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 continue to be 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 August 1, 2022, was 19.3° Celsius which is 1.0° Celsius above average for this date. Water temperatures are forecast to increase to 18.2° Celsius by August 7. The Fraser River discharge at Hope on August 1 was 5,618 cubic meters per second which is 34% above the average discharge for this date. Discharge levels are forecast to drop to 5,288 cubic meters per second by August 7. 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 the 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, some in-River First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) Sockeye fisheries remain closed due to 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 Deadman Creek.  The Department began marine First Nations FSC fisheries with a slow start on August 1 and will be discussing harvest opportunities with lower and mid-Fraser River First Nations in the coming days. 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 5, 2022.

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

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0829
Sent August 2, 2022 at 1436

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 5, 2024 at 1013