Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met August 9, 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 were low and variable over August 6 and 7, with some days of test fishing experiencing a reduced number of sets.  On August 8, purse seine catches in Johnstone Strait did improve with Sockeye catches of 996 for 6 sets and 1,101 for 5 sets in Areas 12 and 13, respectively. Recent test fishing catches in Juan de Fuca have fluctuated for both the gill net and purse seine over the weekend, with the presence of whales affecting test fishing operations for some days.   Catches in Juan de Fuca did show some improvement on August 8 with 268 and 1,498 Sockeye caught in the gill net and purse seine test fisheries.  Gill net test fishing catches in the Fraser River continue to be moderate to high since the last update, with the largest catches being observed at Cottonwood and Brownsville Bar over August 7 and 8.

The most recent DNA samples collected from the Area 12 and Area 20 test fisheries on August 6 and 7, indicated that 0% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 11% and 21% are Early Summer run Sockeye, between 50% and 58% are Summer run Sockeye, and between 29% and 32% are Late run stocks. Recent DNA information from in-river test fisheries collected from August 5 to 7 indicated that 0% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 22% and 25% are Early Summer run stocks, between 62% and 75% are Summer run stocks and between 4% and 13% are Late run stocks. The current 5-day average diversion rate through Johnstone Strait is 10%.

The total escapement estimate to August 8, 2022, is estimated to be 964,600, of which 240,000 are estimated to be Early Stuart Sockeye, 321,000 are estimated to be Early Summer run stocks, 367,700 are estimated to be Summer run stocks, and 35,900 are estimated to be Late run stocks. During the Panel call today, an Early Stuart run size of 241,000 was adopted, with no change to the Area 20 peak timing of July 6.  The Panel also adopted a decrease to the run size for Early Summer run Sockeye from the pre-season p50 forecast level of 1,579,000 to the p25 forecast level of 764,000 and an updated Area 20 peak timing of August 5.  There still remains a lot of uncertainty in the return of the later-timed, South Thompson stocks of the Early Summer run management group. Based on the information to date, the Panel approved the extension of the United States Area 4B/5/6C Treaty Tribal Gill Net fishery in Panel waters from August 10 at noon to August 13 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 beyond those First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) fisheries that are currently open or planned to open in the coming days. In-season assessment of all run timing groups generally occurs shortly after identification of their peak migration through marine areas. 

Water discharge at the Big Bar Landslide has dropped to the level consistent with the unimpeded Sockeye passage threshold observed in 2021. Increasing numbers of Sockeye salmon continue to migrate above the Big Bar Landslide, with fish starting to reach their natal spawning areas in the upper Fraser watershed.  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 8, 2022, was 18.1° Celsius which is 0.5° Celsius below average for this date. Water temperatures are forecast to increase to 18.8° Celsius by August 14. The Fraser River discharge at Hope on August 8 was 4,816 cubic meters per second which is 31% above the average discharge for this date. Discharge levels are forecast to drop to 4,148 cubic meters per second by August 14. 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.

The first spawning ground report of the season was provided by DFO Stock Assessment on August 5.  Early Stuart Sockeye have been observed holding in spawning areas or at the mouth of creeks in the upper watershed, with Sockeye condition being reported as variable. The Nadina River and Stellako River hydroacoustic sites were operational on July 28 and July 30, respectively, and no observations of Sockeye have been reported to date.  Visual surveys of lower Fraser systems began on August 2, and two Sockeye were observed holding in the upper Chilliwack to date.  The Cultus Lake fence was installed on July 25 and no Sockeye have been observed to date. The water temperature in Sweltzer Creek is 27°Celsius.  

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 Prince George. Marine and lower river First Nations FSC fisheries have begun and the Department is planning harvest opportunities with mid-Fraser River First Nations this week and will be discussing harvest opportunities with upper Fraser River First Nations over the coming week. For areas that are currently closed to Sockeye retention, the start-up of Sockeye directed FSC fisheries is not anticipated until the stock composition and TAC are identified to support FSC harvest opportunities. Based on the decision made during the August 9, 2022, Fraser Panel meeting to reduce the run size for Early Summer run sockeye, future fisheries may be reduced to achieve escapement objectives for this management group.  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 12, 2022.

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

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0875
Sent August 9, 2022 at 1517

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 16, 2024 at 2243