Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll,
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0803-Salmon: Fraser River Sockeye Update - August 29 - Areas 11 to 29
The Fraser River Panel met today and reviewed stock assessment data on the
Fraser sockeye runs and considered harvest opportunities. Test fishing catches
by purse seine vessels in Johnstone Strait were very high last week indicating
a strong migration of sockeye through this marine approach route. The diversion
rate of Fraser sockeye through Johnstone Strait is presently estimated to be
approximately 94%. The escapement of sockeye into the Fraser River is
continuing at a steady pace and so far the majority of observed fish are in
good condition.
The estimated run size of 1,700,000 Early Summer-run sockeye, which is
approximately 30% higher than the 50% probability level forecast, was unchanged
at the meeting today. There are indications though that the run size could be
somewhat less than 1.7 million. The estimated escapement of Early Summer-run
sockeye past Mission through August 28 is 755,000 fish or 66% of the gross
escapement target.
The low abundance of Summer-run sockeye this season is primarily attributable
to the extreme weakness in the Quesnel sockeye run to-date, which were expected
to dominate Summer-run sockeye returns but instead are estimated to be
returning at about much less than their forecast level of abundance. At the
meeting today the estimated run size of Summer-run sockeye was decreased from
3,500,000 to 2,500,000. The 50% passage timing of Summer-run sockeye through
Area 20 is presently estimated to be approximately August 17, or 8 days later
than the forecast of August 9. The estimated escapement of Summer-run sockeye
past Mission through August 28 is 802,000 fish or 28% of the gross escapement
goal.
Late-run sockeye now comprise from 70% to 80% of the Fraser River sockeye
currently migrating through the marine assessment areas. At the meeting today,
the Late run size estimate of 10,000,000 remains unchanged. The gulf troll test
fishery started on August 22 and will provide data used in assessing the delay
behavior of Late-run sockeye in the lower Strait of Georgia. The estimated
escapement of Late-run sockeye past Mission through August 28 is 810,000 fish
or 13% of the gross escapement target.
The water temperature of the Fraser River measured at Qualark Creek was 18.8 C
from August 23-26, before falling and holding at 18.6 C for the last two days.
The current forecast calls for the temperature to drop to 17.5 C by August 31,
then increase back up to 18.8 C by September 5. These temperature levels
remain above the long term average for this period from 1-2 C for these dates.
The discharge of the Fraser River is presently about 1,640 cms, and is forecast
to drop below 1,500 cms by September 6 setting new record lows along the way.
The management adjustment for Summer run sockeye was decreased slightly today
as a result of the improved actual temperatures and lower temperature
forecast. At a run size of 2.5 million the management adjustment for Summer
runs would be 78,000. Environmental conditions will continue to be assessed and
management adjustments to escapements past Mission will be changed as required
to help ensure spawning targets are achieved.
At the Summer run size of 2.5 million fisheries will need to be constrained to
minimize impacts on this stock. At current run size on Late run sockeye and
including projected catches in Canada and United States catch level to date it
is estimated that the Cultus sockeye exploitation rate is about 23%. This
would leave a small balance of about 296,000 Lates remaining available for
harvest within Canada if we are not to exceed the 30% Cultus Lake sockeye
exploitation rate limitation identified in the 2006 fishing plan.
First Nations:
First Nations targeted Fraser River sockeye fisheries in the Fraser River and
South Coast marine waters are expected to continue this week.
Recreational:
Recreational fisheries for sockeye in South Coast marine waters and the Fraser
River above Mission remain open to sockeye retention.
Commercial:
Area D gill nets extended in Johnstone Strait until Wednesday August 30, (see
FN0802 for details). In addition Area E gill net will close as scheduled
tonight at 7 pm (see FN0804 for details).
The Panel will meet again on Friday September 1 to evaluate the status of the
Fraser River sockeye salmon runs and to consider regulatory actions.
Author
Topic: Sockeye Closing Date (Read 9889 times)