Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met on Friday, August 4 to receive an update on the 
migration of the Fraser sockeye and pink runs to date and review the status of 
migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.	

Gill net test fishing catches remain low but have improved slightly Area 12 and 
have continued to fluctuate at low levels in Area 20. Purse seine test catches 
have shown the same pattern with increases in Area 12 and 13, while Area 20 has 
been on a declining trend. The combination of the gill net and purse seine test 
catches in the two approach areas has resulted in an increase in the projected 
diversion rate through Johnstone Strait to 58% compared to the pre-season 
forecast of 51%. 

In-river gill net test fishery catches have remained low, with the exception of 
a large increase observed at Whonnock yesterday. Cottonwood catches have been 
very low for the past several days. 

The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine purse seine test fisheries show 
sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 14% Early Summer, 77% 
Summer and 8% Late run stocks. In Area 12, the purse seine stock composition 
was 10% Early Summer, 83% Summer and 7% Late run stocks. In-river stock 
identification information remains highly uncertain as sample sizes continue to 
be extremely low.

Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates have increased in recent days 
with the largest daily escapement estimate to date being 16,100 on August 3.  
The total estimated sockeye escapement as of August 3 is 167,700. Hell's Gate 
observations continue to be extremely low in recent days however there is no 
evidence of passage issues at Hell's Gate. 

During the call today, the Fraser Panel made no changes to the Early Stuart or 
Early Summer run sizes of 50,000 and 166,000 respectively. The estimated 
escapement past Mission of Early Stuart, Early Summer and Summer run sockeye as 
of August 3 is 45,300, 52,900 and 69,100 fish, respectively. 

At the current run size for Early Summer run sockeye, there is no TAC available 
and as such no sockeye directed fisheries are being considered at this time. In 
addition, Summer run stocks are tracking near the p10 forecast level of 
1,065,000, however, it is too early to make any run size modifications at this 
time.

On August 3, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 2,870 cubic metres 
per second, which is approximately 31% lower than average for this date. The 
water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 3 decreased to 
18.6° celcius which is 0.6° celcius higher than average for this date. The 
forecast is for water temperatures to increase to 20° celcius by August 9. Due 
to the very low discharge levels, water temperatures are highly influenced by 
air temperatures.

For pre-season planning purposes the Fraser Panel had adopted management 
adjustments for Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye that reflect the 
forecast water temperature and discharge conditions based on the May and June 
information for Early Summer and Summer run sockeye, and anticipated river 
entry dates for Late run fish. Due to the very poor return of Early Summer run 
stocks they are now being managed based on a Low Abundance Exploitation Rate 
(LAER) limit and as such there will be no modifications to the in-season 
management adjustments for this group. Management adjustments are additional 
fish that are set aside from identified harvest levels and allowed to migrate 
upstream in an attempt to assist in achievement of identified spawner 
objectives for the different run timing groups. In-season information in the 
coming weeks will help to inform future decisions on management adjustments for 
the Summer management group while the Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run 
management groups will be managed based on the respective LAER for each group 
(10% for Early Stuart and Early Summers and 20% for Lates). There will be no in-
season estimates of management adjustment for Early Stuart, Early Summer and 
Late run groups in 2017.

At this time, it is too early to assess the return of Fraser pink salmon. 
Recent test fishery catches in the marine approach areas have shown increasing 
abundances of pink salmon. The first stock identification samples analyzed for 
Areas 12 and 20 purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin pink salmon 
comprise 24 and 16 percent respectively. Run size and timing updates for Fraser 
pinks will likely begin in mid to late August.

First Nations food, social and ceremonial sockeye fisheries have been 
restricted by a 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart and the earliest 
timed Early Summer run stocks with limited fishing opportunities to date 
directed at chinook salmon. Due to the apparent later than average run timing 
and/or weakness in the returns of Early Summer and Summer run stocks, the start-
up of sockeye directed FSC fisheries will continue to be delayed until there is 
an identification of TAC for Early Summer and/or Summer run sockeye. 

Food, social and ceremonial fishers in marine approach areas as well as the 
Fraser River are requested to check for the opening times and any restrictions 
in their local area.

Given the low returns to date there are no fisheries directed upon Fraser River 
sockeye scheduled at this time, and updates will continue to be provided 
following meetings of the Fraser River Panel on Tuesdays and Fridays of each 
week.

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on 
Tuesday, August 8, 2017.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0784
Sent August 4, 2017 at 1550

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