Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Rodney]

Friday, August 21, 2015

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 21 to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser sockeye runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches of Fraser sockeye and pink salmon continue to track below pre-season expectations. At the meeting today, the run-size estimate of 350,000 Early Summer run sockeye was unchanged. The Panel approved an increase to the Summer run-size estimate of 1,500,000 to 1,600,000 fish with a 50% marine timing through Area 20 of August 11. The late run-size estimate of 419,000 sockeye was unchanged. Sockeye and pink salmon assessments will continue over the coming weeks as Summer run sockeye continue to dominate marine assessment areas and as pink salmon approach their expected 50% marine timing date of August 28.

On August 20 the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 2,203 cms, which is approximately 28% lower than average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 20 was 19.7C, which is 1.7C higher than average for this date. Fraser River discharge levels and water temperatures will be monitored closely to determine if specific management actions are required during the in-river migratory period to help achieve sockeye escapement goals.

All Panel Area waters remain closed to commercial salmon fishing.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, August 25, 2015.

http://www.psc.org/NewsRel/2015/Announcement12.pdf

[Rodney]

Friday, August 28, 2015

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 28 to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser sockeye and pink salmon runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

At the meeting today, the run-size estimate of 350,000 Early Summer run sockeye was increased to 400,000 sockeye with a 50% marine timing through Area 20 of July 31 and the Summer run-size estimate of 1,600,000 sockeye was increased to 1,700,000 sockeye with a 50% marine timing through Area 20 of August 12. The Late run-size of 419,000 sockeye was unchanged at the meeting today. A Fraser pink salmon run-size estimate should be available early next week after their expected 50% marine migration date.

On August 27 the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 1,828 cms, which is approximately 30% lower than average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 27 was 18.1C, which is 0.9C higher than average for this date. Fraser River temperatures are forecast to decrease to 17.3C by September 2. Fraser River discharge levels and water temperatures will be monitored closely to determine if specific management actions are required during the in-river migratory period to help achieve sockeye escapement goals.

The Panel announced the following regulations for Commercial salmon fisheries in Panel Area waters:

CANADIAN FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

Remain closed to Commercial salmon fisheries.

UNITED STATES FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

TREATY INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: As previously announced, open to drift gillnets 12:00 p.m. (noon), Tuesday, August 25, 2015, through 12:00 p.m. (noon), Saturday, August 29, 2015. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: Extended to drift gillnets 12:00 p.m. (noon), Saturday, August 29, 2015, through 12:00 p.m. (noon), Wednesday, September 2, 2015. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

Areas 6, 7 and 7A: As previously announced, open to net fishing 5:00 am Thursday, August 27, 2015 through 9:00 a.m. Saturday August 29, 2015. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

Areas 6, 7 and 7A: Open to net fishing 5:00 am Monday, August 31, 2015 through 9:00 a.m. Tuesday September 1, 2015. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

ALL CITIZEN FISHERY:

Areas 7 and 7A: Open to reef net with non-retention of sockeye from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2015 and Monday, August 31, 2015.

Areas 7 and 7A: Open to purse seine with non-retention of sockeye from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2015.

Areas 7 and 7A: Open to drift gillnet with non-retention of sockeye 8:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2015.

(Note: U. S. All Citizen fishers should check the U.S. hotline and WDFW regulations before fishing as there are additional State of Washington regulations, including time restrictions that may be in effect).

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Monday, August 31, 2015.

[Gone_Fishin_]

Fred's Custom Tackle Facebook page just posted the following:

Fraser river chinook fishery re-opens tomorrow in the mouth, tidal, and non-tidal portions. Pink fishery will remain closed until the 1% rule for sockeye/pink ratio has been achieved. DFO is requesting selective fishing methods in order to minimize the impact on the sockeye returns - this incldues bar fishing, casting spoons, back trolling plugs and fly fishing.

Rod; any chance you can post up this information or the link? i cant find anything on the DFO site.

Thanks,

[canoeboy]

Can anyone tell me what the 1% rule is by chance?

[Gone_Fishin_]

I commented on their post asking for the FN# or link to the update as i cant seem to find it on their page; Fred's replied :

"Once DFO have finalized their wording we will post it. We are part of a larger contingency of interested parties (guides, shops, other organizations) that have been working with DFO on this. We recevied an email less than an hour ago from DFO directly that this was happening".

[Rodney]

The 1% sockeye/pink salmon ratio refers to 1 sockeye to 100 pink salmon. Currently while some pink salmon have already moved into the Fraser, majority of the run is still outside the river. Once those fish start moving in and most of the sockeye move through, then the ratio goes down and retention of pink salmon opens.

[canoeboy]

Thanks for clearing that up Rod. Guess we will see an opening at some point but probably not till next week at least.

[Gone_Fishin_]

Rodney:

Any comment on what Fred's posted?

[Rodney]

About the larger contingency of interested parties working on this? I'm part of this group who has spent hours in the past week through email correspondence. The objective right now is to make sure you all get the openings that we should be getting, and continue the communication throughout this fall regarding the issue on selective fishing, being shut out while First Nations remain fishing, etc.

[RainbowMan]

Here is the notice for the tidal part:
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=175171&ID=all

Rod: please feel free to remove and send your own update. Thanks.

[yoda]

Are hatchery cohoes closed as well?

[Rodney]

Are hatchery cohoes closed as well?

It is right now since no retention was announced. It'll close until early October after the interior coho and steelhead run period is over.

[Salmon__Slayer]

I am confused so you can only fish for Chinook or can you fish for all salmon except sockeye and only retain chinook?

[bbwong]

You are not allowed to target any Salmon other than Chinook.

[Rodney]

I am confused so you can only fish for Chinook or can you fish for all salmon except sockeye and only retain chinook?

That's correct.