Fishery Notice
Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject:
FN0836-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - August 18, 2017
The Fraser River Panel met on Friday, August 18 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. In-river gill net test catches of sockeye have been consistent at low to moderate levels for several days while purse seine test catches in Areas 12 and 20 have increased over the past week with the exception of yesterday when catches declined in both areas. The purse seine test catches in the two approach areas has resulted in a slight increase in the projected sockeye diversion rate through Johnstone Strait to 78% compared to the pre-season forecast of 51%. The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine purse seine test fisheries show sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 2% Early Summer, 71% Summer and 27% Late run stocks. In Area 12, the purse seine stock composition was 6% Early Summer, 70% Summer and 23% Late run stocks. The decrease in proportion of Early Summer run stocks combined with the continuation of summer run stocks and increase in the proportion of Late run stocks is suggesting that the total return of Fraser sockeye may have later than normal run timing. The most recent in-river stock identification samples from the Whonnock test fishery are showing stock proportions of 8% Early Summer, 83% Summer and 9% Late run stocks. Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates of sockeye have increased in recent days ranging between 30,400 and 56,900. The total estimated sockeye escapement as of August 17 is 707,900. Hell's Gate observations have continued to increase in recent days. During the call today, the Fraser Panel increased the run size for Early Summer run sockeye to 150,000 with August 2 timing, due to recent increases in the abundance of Pitt and early Thompson stocks. No changes were made to the run size for Early Stuart and Summer run stocks while a provisional run size of 247,000 was adopted for Late run sockeye with a timing of August 18. At the current run size for Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye, there is no TAC available and as such only fisheries with minimal impact on sockeye are being considered at this time. The estimated escapement past Mission of Early Stuart, Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye as of August 17 is 46,400, 128,900 and 495,300 and 37,300 fish, respectively. On August 17, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 2,505 cubic metres per second, which is approximately 23% lower than average for this date. The water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 17 decreased to 19° Celsius which is 0.9° Celsius higher than average for this date. The forecast is for water temperatures to decrease to 18.7° Celsius by August 23 as cooler air temperatures combined with precipitation is forecast in the coming days. 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 and 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. No in-season changes to the management adjustment are expected for Early Stuart, Early Summer, Summer and Late run groups in 2017. At this time the return of Fraser pink salmon is looking to be either early, larger than forecast or both. Recent test fishery catches in the marine approach areas have shown increasing abundances of pink salmon primarily in the Johnstone Strait area. The most recent stock identification samples analyzed for Areas 12 and 20 purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin pink salmon comprise 30% and 44%, respectively. Based on the most recent purse seine test catches the estimated diversion rate through Johnstone Strait for Fraser pink salmon is estimated to be 44% compared to the historical median of 50%. Run size and timing updates for Fraser pinks are likely to be made in the coming weeks. Earlier in the season First Nations food, social and ceremonial sockeye fisheries were restricted by a 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart and the earliest timed Early Summer run stocks with limited fishing opportunities in-river directed at Chinook salmon. These Chinook directed fisheries are continuing to occur on a weekly basis for the near future in both the lower and mid-river fishing areas up to Lillooet and in portions of the Thompson River drainage. Areas in the Fraser River upstream of Lillooet have been severely impacted by the numerous forest fires this season which have prevented many First Nations from any fishing to date. As a result the department is allowing for limited sockeye directed fishing opportunities for a modest number of sockeye in a number of locations as no other species of salmon are available for harvest in these areas. In inside coastal waters, very little fishing has occurred in areas where Fraser sockeye are prevalent as sockeye non- retention restrictions have been in place since the beginning of the season. Earlier this week an 18 hour opening was scheduled in marine areas directed at pink, chum and Chinook salmon with retention of dead sockeye permitted. In this fishery all efforts were to be made to release sockeye alive and unharmed (see FN0819 for details). Sockeye encountered and kept or released in all these fisheries are accounted for as part of the Low Abundance Exploitation Rate. 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. The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0836
Sent August 18, 2017 at 1514
Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on March 29, 2024 at 0120
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