| year #chum ----- ------- 2005 1,312 2006 1,546 2007 520 2008 1.388 2009 879 2010 1,365 2011 191 |
Strange, maybe just taking their time getting here? The overall Chum returns were huge last year with that higher test fishery. Things that make you go HMM.If you recall, chum retention was closed mid-season in 2010 due to low returns. So obviously the test fishery numbers can be somewhat hard to compare on a year to year basis. The extremely low numbers for thus far for 2011 really seem to stand out though, and not in a good way ...
Perhaps a better indication of run strength would be returns through Johnstone Strait particularly numbers taken in the commercial fishery.Do you know where/if that data is available? I'd be very interested in having a look at those numbers as well.
I've been out in the CHedder several times this Fall, several places each trip. I have yet to see even one Chum.I saw 3 landed.Already black.
| year #chum ----- ------- 2005 2,633 2006 3,782 2007 1,476 2008 2,681 2009 2,671 2010 3,476 2011 566 |
chilliwack\vedder closed for chum retention today.
Returns of chum salmon to the South Coast area have been quite variable so far in 2011. Estimates of abundance in Johnstone Strait have provided for opportunities for all sectors: First Nations, Recreational and Commercial. The Johnstone Strait fishery is a mixed stock fishery of fish returning to the Johnstone Strait area, the Georgia Strait, Washington State and the Fraser River. The percentage of Fraser River stocks contributing to this fishery ranges from week to week with Fraser stocks typically contributing more early in the season and dropping off from mid- to late-October.
There are considerable uncertainties regarding Fraser River chum run strength at this time. Chum returns to the Fraser River are currently tracking below the identified escapement goal of 800,000 and information gathered from South Coast fisheries indicates that the run may be later than normal.
As many of you are aware, there have been very good catches in Johnstone Strait this year, and the current Fraser chum estimate is not in line with what has been seen in the approach areas. This is most likely due either to lateness of the run, or to unusual stock composition in the Straits. To address the issue of stock composition, DNA samples from this year's Johnstone Strait test fishery have been submitted for analysis, with the results expected later this week. The DNA results will provide us information about what proportion of the mixed-stock run in the Straits can be attributed to Fraser chum, which will be helpful in determining whether the Fraser chum run is late, or weak.
The next update will be on Monday, October 24, 2011. At this that time, we will have additional data from the Albion test fishery, as well as results from the Johnstone Strait DNA analysis.
Please note that the Lower Fraser Test Fishing Information line @ 604-666-6182 will be updated with current 2011 Albion Chum Test Fishery catch information or you can view the test fishing results at the following link: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fraserriver/commercial/commercialalbionchum_e.htm
Well, I am not sure on the numbers on the Vedder system, but the Stave did pick up.Shhhh...don't say this too loudly ;) I got into quite a lot of chums on the Vedder last week as a by-catch while targeting coho but someone did tell me it was they were the first ones he saw caught this season. Hopefully they are just later than usual this year.
As of a week back, the numbers were quit dismal, but the past few days have been stellar so maybe (Fingers crossed) they really are just "Late"
I was out yesterday with a few buddies in a boat, we went to one of the Islands on the Stave and there were at least another 10 boats there (including at least 5 Guides) and it was awesome. It didn't matter if you threw a fly or gear, it was almost every cast, and I would say 60/40 Female/Male with many very nice clean fish.
My buddy has been on the Vedder system 7 days in the past 2 weeks and it does seem that the chum numbers are VERY low, maybe, just maybe they are late, but I really don't hold out my hope for that, as we all know, the north side runs are almost ALWAYS later than the South side, and it does seem that the north side is really starting to get some numbers.
Rick
Further to my update of last week, returns of chum salmon to the South Coast area continue to be quite variable in 2011.
Initial analysis of the DNA samples from the Johnstone Strait test fishery shows that Fraser River stocks contributed to the abundance at similar levels to recent years however these fish are not being caught in the Fraser River by the Albion test fishery. The percentage of Fraser stocks in the Johnstone Strait test fishery was approximately 36% in the third week of October.
This still means that there are considerable uncertainties regarding Fraser River chum run strength at this time however the information at hand shows that chum returns to the Fraser River are currently tracking below the identified escapement goal of 800,000. The Department will be using the decision guidelines table in the IFMP to manage this fishery and will be moving to non-retention of chum in the recreational fishery in Areas 11, 12, 13 and 29, the non-tidal Fraser and tributaries. Fishery notices will be released at some point tomorrow with the actions taking effect October 27th. Information will continue to be collected and assessed and if opportunities to retain chum in terminal areas arise fisheries will be announced.
I would have to say that the Japan earthquake and tsunami contributed greatly to the amount of fish around this year.That’s an interesting theory Easywater, one I’d sure like to know more about.
Image the hundreds (thousands?) of boats that didn't go out this spring and summer to catch fish near Alaska.
That’s an interesting theory Easywater, one I’d sure like to know more about.Do you or any other reader have more information on this?Interesting is one way to look at it-I'd say skewed/off base and uninformed would be more accurate.
Secondly what proof is there that Japanese boats are targeting Salmon 'off Alaska' somewhere?
maybe this is why ???
... some 1.7 million pounds of north coast chum salmon “discards” from commercial fisheries seeking pink salmon...
That seems like an unbelievable amount of waste! >:(. I don't understand how this kind of behaviour is considered acceptable in any industry; it really puts the faults of the recreational fishery in perspective.
1.7 million pounds divided by an average single fish weight of 12 lbs. (as an estimate) = 141,666 fish. Unbelievable amount of waste.
At this point, we have seen no evidence in the Fraser River of the large pulse
of Chum Salmon that appeared in Johnstone Strait the week of October 10th,
despite DNA results from the Johnstone Strait test fishery identifying a
substantial contribution of Fraser River chum in that fishery. The weekly
percentage of Fraser River chum from the DNA results through October 14th
ranged from 36% to 56% over the 5 weeks that were analysed.
Squamish system is a total bust. Chum are few and far between and coho have been very poor!
Saw quite a few chums this morning on the Vedder; definitely more in this system now than a few days ago.The closer the rivers are to the fish farms equals less chum. ;D
The closer the rivers are to the fish farms equals less chum. ;DBeak :)
Beak :)Actually Dave it's been a full chum cycle of poor returns for the Squamish and it has indeed been very hard on the eagles. On the annual eagle count the best site for counting birds has been the dump. Sad. Yet we are still having mixed stock commercial fisheries in Johnstone Straight generally followed by Oops...sorry no fish. Fishery mismanagement at it's best. No accountability.
Seriously though, clarki is right; 2 bad years in a row for eagles is not good news. I expect fewer this year on the Vedder but sure hope I'm surprised.
The good news is the Chilliwack hatchery will be feeding chum fry this year - lets hope they can obtain enough broodstock. Chums are so important to this system; damn shame they aren't managed that way.
BKK
Good to hear from you. We should get together this winter for a day or two off steelheading on the Vedder.
I'd like to part of that excursion Pete but I'm not sure if B could keep up with us :D
what is this? This place is starting to turn into a DFO hangout after work... :o How come I never get invited to these excursions? :-\
I'd like to part of that excursion Pete but I'm not sure if B could keep up with us :DNo problem there as long as you guys continue to use your walkers while walking around on those slippery rocks! ;D