The Fraser River Panel met by telephone conference, Friday, August 13 to
receive an update from PSC staff regarding the progress of the Fraser River
sockeye returns.
Current environmental conditions in the Fraser River remain very unfavorable
for sockeye migration. The discharge at Hope is currently 2,552 cms. For this
date, the discharge level is the 5th lowest since 1912. The temperature at
Qualark Creek was 19.8°C. Water temperatures in many of the major tributaries
to the Fraser River are also maintaining extremely high water temperatures.
These continuing adverse migration conditions are expected to result in
significant en route and pre-spawning mortalities. Recent observations along
the migration route are confirming these projections. There are numerous
reports that distressed sockeye are congregating at the mouths of tributaries
which are providing cooler water temperatures. At sites monitoring the arrival
of Early Stuart and Early Summer run stocks, much lower than expected numbers
of migrants have been observed and many are exhibiting symptoms of distress.
Early Stuart:
To date, the estimated gross escapement of Early Stuart sockeye has reached
194,000 sockeye. This compares to a target of 197,500 fish. The Early Stuart
sockeye migration into the lower Fraser River is complete.
Early Summer:
There was no change to the previously established run size estimate of 1.5
million sockeye. PSC staff indicated the remaining entry of Early Summer run
sockeye into the lower Fraser River would reach expected levels.
To date, the gross escapement of Early Summer run sockeye past Mission has
reached 874,000 sockeye or 81% of the goal.
Summer:
The Fraser River Panel accepted the PSC staff recommendation to reduce the
projected total return for the Summer run stock group to 3.5 million sockeye.
PSC staff assessment is based upon test fishing in the approach areas not
reaching the levels consistent with a larger return. In addition, the
migration of Summer run sockeye past Mission has not reached the expected
levels. One of the factors to the reduced projected return appears to be
attributed to a lower than expected return of Chilko and Quesnel Lake sockeye.
To date, the gross escapement of Summer run sockeye past Mission has reached
844,000 sockeye.
The Fraser River Panel will again by telephone conference on Monday, August 16
to review the test fishing results and entry into the Fraser River. An update
should be available in the afternoon.
After reading this report i've decided i'm done for the season. Hope they shut her down soon to save as many sockeye's as possible.
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Topic: FN0636-Salmon: Fraser River Sockeye Update - August 3 - Areas 11 to 29 (Read 2382 times)