Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0467-SALMON - Fraser River Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 Chinook - June 4th Abundance Update
In 2012, the Department has identified concerns associated with expected poor
returns of Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 chinook to the Fraser River. Management
of these stocks is based on an in-season assessment of returns using the
cumulative catch per unit effort (CPUE) of chinook at the Albion Test
Fishery. A three-zone management approach is used to identify management
actions. Management actions for a return of less than 30,000 chinook to the
Fraser River (management zone 1) were planned pre-season based on the number of
spawners in the 2007 parental generation (22,000 chinook) and the recent lower
than average return rates.
The model used to predict the returns of Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 chinook to
the Fraser River uses data from the standard chinook net at the Albion Test
fishery and does not use catch from the multi-panel net (which is currently
fished on alternating days). The standard chinook net is an 8 inch (approx. 20
cm) mesh.
The 2012 Albion chinook test fishery began operating on April 25th. A total of
four (4) chinook have been caught in the standard chinook net; an additional
seven (7) chinook have been caught in the multi-panel net. The CPUE input into
the model falls below the lower range of historical CPUE's used to parameterize
the model (1995 to 2010, excluding 2007). Based on this CPUE, for the period
May 6 to June 2, the current predicted return to the mouth of the Fraser of
Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 chinook in the aggregate ranges from 30,000 to 65,000
chinook (median of 43,930). At this time, there continues to be considerable
uncertainty about the estimated return to the Fraser. A need for a cautious
approach to management of Fraser chinook continues to apply.
The next update has been scheduled for June 11th. Appropriate management
actions will be confirmed pending the next update if possible. The final in-
season update is scheduled for June 18th. Previously announced fishery
management actions to conserve Fraser River chinook remain in effect until
further notice.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Grout 604-666-0497
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0467
Sent June 4, 2012 at 16:10
Visit us on the Web at
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
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Topic: Where are the Chinook? (Read 6959 times)