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[chris gadsden]

Category(s):
    ABORIGINAL - General Information,
RECREATIONAL - Salmon

   
    Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
 
Subject: FN0492-SALMON - Area 29 - Fraser River Spring (age 5-2) and Summer (age 5-2) Chinook: In-season prediction of returns to the Fraser River
         
The potential for low spawning escapements of Spring and Summer (age 5-2)
Fraser Chinook has been identified as a concern for 2011.  To ensure fishery
management objectives are achieved, the Department bases fishery management
actions on whether in season estimated returns are less than 30,000 (zone 1),
less than 60,000 (zone 2), or greater than 60,000 (zone 3).  Management actions
in each zone range from closures or fishery restrictions (zone 1), non-
retention or limited directed fisheries (zone 2), or directed fisheries (zone
3).  Pre-season planning was based on a return less than 30,000 given the
potential for poor marine survival rates to have affected returns.

In season estimates of the return of Spring and Summer (age 5-2) chinook to the
Fraser River are based on the relationship between historical returns and
cumulative catch per unit effort (CPUE) at the Albion chinook test fishery for
the statistical weeks beginning in May through the second week in June.  The
cumulative CPUE in 2011 is well below the historical average.  The estimated
return of of Fraser Spring and Summer (age 5-2) chinook to the Fraser through
June 15th is approximatetly 50,000 chinook (zone 2).

The Department is considering management actions consistent with management
zone 2 after July 15, 2011.  Specific management actions announced previously
to protect Fraser Spring 4-2 chinook (see FN0370 and FN0375) will remain in
effect until July 15, 2011 when greater than 70% of the Spring 4-2 chinook run
has entered the Fraser.  Actions for Fraser Spring and Summer (age 5-2) chinook
after July 15th will be announced in separate fishery notices.

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation?  If so, please call
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line
at (800) 465-4336.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact the local DFO office in your for more information.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0492
Sent June 17, 2011 at 15:34
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
   

[alwaysfishn]

I'm not arguing that the early Fraser spring run is not poor this year, however I wonder what effect the high and late spring run off water levels have on the Albion catch results..

There is a whole lot more water for the springs to run in, in a high water year so I would suggest that fewer of them are being intercepted.

[chris gadsden]

I'm not arguing that the early Fraser spring run is not poor this year, however I wonder what effect the high and late spring run off water levels have on the Albion catch results..

There is a whole lot more water for the springs to run in, in a high water year so I would suggest that fewer of them are being intercepted.

Yes, this is without a doubt a major factor in not obtaining proper catch data as you do during lower flow levels.

[Dave]

The Albion chinook test fishery was not designed or put in place to measure stock abundance, as af and cg stated, because of fluctuating Fraser River flows.   
Albion’s primary purpose is to gather tends in individual stock migrations and run timing, through DNA and other methods of sampling.  Albion is the first data point of chinook entry into the Fraser; next comes catch data from FN and recreational  fisheries, which we all know is not trusted by either side. The really good news is people are working on that issue
The final and most important data point is actual spawners counted and that is where DFO and FN (and it is FN that are leading this fight) have their best data …. and that shows these early timing Chinooks are in big, big trouble.
IMO, there should be no harvest by any user group on these stocks.
 

[river walker]

I've seen lots rolling on the days ive been out on the boat. and I mean lots.

[ChromeBar]

I've seen a ton rolling since the begining of the month too... With the height of the river the albion will continue to not get many in the sets. It should definatley not be used as any kind of indicator to how many fish are in the river right now. I talked to a few native guys who told me despite the high water the fishing has been average and one guy said it's been really good as of late with a couple of sockeye caught as well.

[river walker]

This morning I saw at least 100 in the two hours we were out . The Albion nets don't get close to the true "gut" the fish travel . I stopped using it for an indicator a long time ago :/

[BwiBwi]

DFO doesn't base run size count on Albion test fishery alone. 

There are a few hydrocaustic stations (mobile and stationary) throughout Fraser R collecting fish count.  That's the number DFO use.

[buck]

It's not what is counted at the albion test fishery, observation of rollers , or what is caught in the native net fishery, but  the number of spawners on the grounds. The early and mid timing stocks are in trouble and all user groups should refrain from fishing for them. What percentage of chinook bound for the Fraser are caught in the coastal sport fishery and how would you ever control such a large group? Release all wild fish and only keep hatchery marked fish?

[chris gadsden]

It's not what is counted at the albion test fishery, observation of rollers , or what is caught in the native net fishery, but  the number of spawners on the grounds. The early and mid timing stocks are in trouble and all user groups should refrain from fishing for them. What percentage of chinook bound for the Fraser are caught in the coastal sport fishery and how would you ever control such a large group? Release all wild fish and only keep hatchery marked fish?

This is correct but I am concerned about the cut backs by FOC which is and has effected the assessment crews that walk the streams and count from the air the spawners that have returned to their natal streams and rivers.

[buck]

Chris
That is a concern along with cuts to hatchery production and habitat projects.

[shuswapsteve]

DFO doesn't base run size count on Albion test fishery alone. 

There are a few hydrocaustic stations (mobile and stationary) throughout Fraser R collecting fish count.  That's the number DFO use.

What are these hydroacoustic stations that you are referring to that "count" Chinook?  As Dave has mentioned Albion is for stock abundance.  It is for determining run strength, timing and biological information (i.e. DNA).  It may seem like a "count", but the actual counting occurs on the spawning grounds which can include stream walks, aerial surveys and mark-recapture studies. 

[ChromeBar]

The native nets are just slaying em in the last few days saw about 30 in one net being brought in today with what looked like a bunch of sockeye as well  kinda a shame since were supposed to be protecting this stock and spawning numbers are low. Our managment measures are pretty backwards...

[chris gadsden]

The native nets are just slaying em in the last few days saw about 30 in one net being brought in today with what looked like a bunch of sockeye as well  kinda a shame since were supposed to be protecting this stock and spawning numbers are low. Our managment measures are pretty backwards...

Where did you see this happening?

[river walker]

Where did you see this happening?

There's more than a few spots from the wing dam up to hope.