Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met on Friday, August 1, 2014 to receive an update on 
the migration of the Fraser sockeye runs and review the status of migration 
conditions in the Fraser River watershed.	

The migration of sockeye through marine and lower Fraser River assessment areas 
as well as past the Mission hydroacoustic site has increased over the past 
week. Catches in the Area 12 and 13 seine test fisheries have remained above 
average for this period, while Area 20 seine and gillnet test fisheries in 
marine areas continue to be lower than average and expected. In river test 
fisheries have shown increased catches in recent days. 

Recent stock identification analyses from the Area 12 purse seine test fishery 
indicated Fraser sockeye contributions of approximately 21% Early Summer-run, 
66% Summer-run sockeye, and 13% Late-run. In the Fraser River, the proportions 
of each stock in the most recent samples are 22% Early Summers, 78% Summers 
(mostly Harrison River).

The estimated upriver migration of sockeye past Mission through July 31st is 
614,500 fish in total of which 218,000 are estimated to be Early Stuart 
sockeye, 176,200 Early Summer run, 214,800 Summer run and 5,500 Late Run. 

River discharge levels have decreased over the past week to a level of 4,075 
cms on July 31, which is 11 percent below the historical average discharge for 
this date (4,569 cms). Water temperature at Qualark is 18.4 degrees Celsius, 
which is 0.7 degrees Celsius above the average temperature for this date.  
Water temperatures are forecast to increase significantly in the coming days 
and discharge levels are expected to remain below average for this period. 

At today's meeting, the Fraser River Panel made no changes to the adopted run 
size or management adjustments for any of the run timing groups.  Management 
adjustments are additional fish that are allowed to escape upstream to help 
achieve spawning escapement targets for Fraser River sockeye. 

FSC fisheries targeting Early Summer and Summer run sockeye in marine areas and 
the Fraser River are ongoing or being planned.  Fishers are requested to check 
updated times and restrictions for their local area. 

The commercial Area D gillnet fishery will open for 38 hours beginning 18:00 
Saturday, August 2 in portions of Areas 11, 12 and 13.  Details for this 
fishery will be posted in a separate fishery notice.  The earliest possible 
fishery for Area B and H commercial seine and troll fisheries will be 
Wednesday, August 6.   Decisions on fishing plans will be confirmed following 
the next Fraser Panel meeting on Tuesday, August 5.
 
Retention of sockeye in Marine recreational fisheries began today, August 1.  
Retention of sockeye in lower river recreational fisheries will begin Sunday, 
August 3.  Refer to fishery notices FN0720 and FN0721 for details.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, 
August 5, 2014.



FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-6478

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0738
Sent August 1, 2014 at 1513

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