Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met on Friday, August 8, 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 
and 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 continue to be 
lower than average and lower than expected. In river test fisheries have been 
variable in recent days. 

Recent stock identification analyses from the Area 12 purse seine test fishery 
indicated Fraser sockeye contributions of approximately 16% Early Summer-run, 
68% Summer-run sockeye, and 16% Late-run. In the Fraser River, the proportions 
of each stock in the most recent samples are 32% Early Summers, 54% Summers and 
14% Late Run.

The estimated upriver migration of sockeye past Mission through August 7thst is 
1,215,200 fish in total of which 227,900 are estimated to be Early Stuart 
sockeye, 428,400 Early Summer run, 514,700 Summer run and 44,200 Late Run. 

River discharge levels have decreased over the past week to a level of 3,425 
cms on August 7th, which is 17 percent below the historical average discharge 
for this date (4,122 cms).  Water temperature at Qualark is 20.0 degrees 
Celsius, which is 2.2 degrees Celsius above the average temperature for this 
date.  Water temperatures are forecast to decrease slightly in the coming days 
and discharge levels are expected to remain below average. 

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. 

First Nations FSC fisheries targeting Fraser sockeye are ongoing or being 
planned.  Fishers are requested to check updated times and restrictions for 
their local area. 

Area B seine and Area H troll commercial sockeye ITQ fisheries remain open 
until further notice subject to available quota. At this time the individual 
vessel quota (ITQ) remains unchanged for Area B and Area H.  Refer to fishery 
notices FN0751 and FN0752 for details.

An Area D gillnet fishery is planned to begin Saturday, August 9.  An Area E 
gillnet fishery is being planned for Monday, August 11. Details for these 
fisheries will be posted in a separate fishery notices.  

The earliest possible fishery for Area G troll will be Thursday, August 14 with 
decisions on fishing plans to be confirmed following the next Fraser Panel 
meeting on Tuesday, August 12.

First Nation economic opportunity fisheries in the Lower Fraser River are under 
consideration with fisheries possible over the weekend.
 
Retention of sockeye in Marine and Lower Fraser River recreational fisheries 
continue.  Refer to fishery notices FN0720 and FN0721 for details.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, 
August 12, 2014.




FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-6478

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0778
Sent August 8, 2014 at 1621

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