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[Rodney]

Fraser River Panel July 26 News Release (PDF file)

html version is available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Next update: July 29

[newsman]

Hey we are almost at 30 ROD.

[Rodney]

For those who haven't read the news release, here's a summary plus some information retrieved from the SFAC.

The return number of early Stuart sockeye salmon has been upgraded to 185,000, much more promising than the 35,000 indicated by the test fisheries a few weeks ago. However, it is still much lower than the 258,000 originally forecasted.

The fish are clearly late, by about a week. On July 23rd, 26% of the fish netted by the test fisheries in Area 12 and 13 were early Stuart sockeye salmon. We expect those fish to pass through Mission around this weekend (takes about 5 to 6 days from Area 12 and 13). The rec sockeye fishery will most likely remain closed this weekend due to this.

Some noticeable abnormalities include the smaller size of the returning fish. This does not indicate the fish are not healthy, fat content analysis has been done and it indicated quite the opposite.

Because the fish have been smaller, the mesh size of the test nets was decreased. Once that was done, there have been a lot more fish caught. This may indicate that a lot more fish passed through the test areas earlier this month than first concluded because of the larger mesh size used (less fish caught as most small fish just went through).

Some good news, but still need to be very cautious. Please continue to fish selectively (barfishing is fantastic right now, chinook salmon are on the bite), and avoid catching any sockeye salmon (since 1 in 4 sockeye that you encounter would be a early Stuart fish). The FN sockeye fishery is scheduled to begin next week, most likely the rec fishery too. Lets wait for the 29th news release, play safe and have respect all fishers (rec and FN) when out fishing.

[Rodney]

July 29th, 2005

Recreational sockeye retention has been announced by DFO this afternoon.

http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/fns/index.cfm?pg=view_notice&lang=en&DOC_ID=81338&ID=recreational

The current status of the Early Summer and Summer Run components of the Fraser
River sockeye return provides for recreational sockeye retention opportunities
in most Southern B.C. marine waters. This fishery is a low impact fishery on
Fraser River sockeye stocks and addresses conservation objectives for stocks of
concern.

The next update regarding the status of the recreational sockeye retention
fishery will be Tuesday, August 2 following the next Fraser River Panel meeting.

RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES

Effective 0001 hrs Saturday, July 30 and until further notice, the daily limit
for sockeye in the waters described below is four (4) per day:
- West Coast of Vancouver Island (Areas 24 to 27, 121 and 123 to 127);
- Juan de Fuca Strait (Area 20);
- that portion of Johnstone Strait southerly of Lewis Point (Subareas 12-1 to
12-4 and Area 13);
- Strait of Georgia, except for that portion that lies easterly of a line from
Gower Point to Thrasher Rock Light to Salamanca Point on Galiano Island. (Areas
14, 15, 17 to 19 and Subareas 29-1, 29-2 and 29-5 only);
- Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm (Area 28).

Barkley Sound (Area 23) remains open to sockeye retention with a daily limit of
4 per day.

In order to minimize impacts on Nimpkish River sockeye, it is anticipated that
retention of sockeye salmon in the waters of Johnstone Strait above Lewis Point
and in Queen Charlotte Strait (Areas 11, 111 and Subareas 12-5 to 12-48) will
not commence until approximately August 4, this date will be confirmed on
Tuesday, August 2.

FRASER RIVER, TIDAL, NON-TIDAL AND MOUTH

Sockeye retention is currently not permitted in Area 29, easterly of a line
from Gower Point to Thrasher Rock Light to Salamanca Point on Galiano Island
(Subareas 29-3, 29-4 and 29-6 to 29-17).

Sockeye retention is currently not permitted in the Fraser River tidal and non-
tidal waters.

An update on sockeye retention opportunities in the Fraser River and in those
portions of Area 29 that are currently closed will be provided on Tuesday,
August 2.

YEAR ROUND NON-RETENTION AREAS

Sockeye retention will not be permitted in Jervis Inlet, Malspina Strait and
Sechelt Inlet (Area 16) to protect returning Sakinaw Lake sockeye.

Sockeye retention is not permitted in Nitinat Lake (Area 22); and in Boundary
Bay (Subarea 29-8)

HEAD RECOVERY PROGRAM

Anglers are requested to release any sockeye that have the adipose fin
removed.  These fish are hatchery raised sockeye and part of a recovery program
designed to increase the numbers of Cultus Lake Sockeye.

Sport anglers are reminded to participate in the voluntary Salmon Sport Head
Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped
chinook and coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags from adipose fin-clipped
chinook and coho salmon provides critical information for coast wide stock
assessment. For program information and head depot locations contact the
voluntary Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program at 1-866-483-9994 or www.pac.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/recfish.

Rockfish Protection areas that are currently in effect are closed to all fin
fishing.  Descriptions of these closures can be found in Fishery Notice FN0341
dated June 8, 2005.  Maps for these closures are located on the DFO web site at
the following address: www.pac.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Restricted_Areas/Rockfish_Maps_2004/default_e.htm

Variation Order No. 2005-343.

5. FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information contact the local DFO office in your area for updated
information as it becomes available.

[James]

16 Million Pinks ! . How many were in the last run of them ? because I was at the chilliwack/veddar and you could practically walk across the river on there backs there were so many !

[Rodney]

Don't get the rods out yet, don't expect it to open in the Fraser at least until Thursday.

[funfisher]

Thanks for the heads up Rod.

[Fishin Freak]

Looks like Socs won't be open until at least Sunday if they give their traditional two day warning of an opening.

[Eagleye]

I overheard a guy say that his brother works for DFO and that it will open on the 6th. 

[Bantam_50]

That's odd ...    ... a guy at work said his cousin works for DFO and it's on the QT within the department that they're not going to open it this year because of feared political backlashes? Whatever that means.

I think I'll check what my horoscope says.

[Rodney]

Early summer and summer run numbers are still poor right now. There will be no openings for recreational anglers til at least Saturday above Mission.

Fraser River Panel August 2 News Release (PDF file)

html version is available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada

[rerigger]

it all sounds like b.s to me
but i quess if this keeps up
i'll just start to take my fish illegally and call it 
MY RIGHT
sorry ernie i'll do it better than you

[Rodney]

Fraser River Panel August 5 News Release (PDF file)

html version is available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada

[pinkwool]

obviously, we, as recreational anglers, are nothing in this highly politicized Sockeye fishery and everybody can wipe their feet on us. I don't understand this probability counting and measuring water survival temperatures (like they are trying to make the impression they do care about these Sockeyes) and allowing FN to clean up the river at the excelerated rate on the other hand.      

[Floater]

Whats going on with the sockeye still not open? im gona die waiting on them i swear.