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:
FN0697-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - July 21, 2017
The Fraser River Panel met Friday, July 21 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 continue to be very poor in both the marine and in-river testing areas. Stock identification information continues to show a higher than expected proportions of Early Stuart sockeye largely due to the lower numbers of Early Summer and Summer run stocks showing to date. No late run stocks have been observed at this time. Sample sizes from both in-river and marine test fisheries have remained low which results in a higher level of uncertainty in stock composition estimates. Hell's Gate observations have continued to decline. During today's Panel call the start-up of the Purse seine test fisheries in Areas 12 and 20 was confirmed for July 24 and 25 respectively. In addition, Reef net test fishery observations will be conducted for the next 3 days to determine if Fraser sockeye are present in US waters. The diversion rate through Johnstone Strait is currently estimated to be 16% which is well below the pre-season predicted rate of 51% for the entire season. DNA analysis of samples taken in the marine test fisheries show sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 21% Early Stuart, 52% Early Summers and 26% Summer run stocks. During the call today, the Fraser Panel made no changes to the recently reduced Early Stuart run size of 50,000 with an Area 20 peak run timing of July 3. The estimated escapement past Mission of Early Stuart sockeye as of July 20 is 40,000 fish. Early Summer run stocks are also tracking well below the p25 forecast of 166,000 but it is too early to tell if the returns are as weak as they appear or just later than expected. Although there was no formal change to the run size today at the p25 run size there is no TAC available and as such no sockeye directed fisheries are being considered at this time. It is anticipated that a formal run size will be adopted at the next Panel meeting on Tuesday, July 25. In-season assessment of all run timing groups generally occurs shortly after identification of their peak migration through marine areas. Early Summer run stocks are starting to build in marine and in-river test fishery samples. Run- size estimates of Early Summer returns should be available in late July after their expected peak migration through marine areas. The estimated escapement of Early Summer-run and Summer-run sockeye past Mission through July 20th is only 15,400 and 3,200 respectively. On July 20, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 3,784 m3/s, which is approximately 24% lower than average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 20 was 17.3°C, which is 0.4°C higher than average for this date and is forecast to increase to 18.4°C by July 26. Due to the very low discharge levels water temperatures are impacted more by the air temperatures they are exposed to. For pre-season planning purposes the Fraser Panel has 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 Summers and anticipated river entry dates for Late run fish. Management adjustments are additional fish that are removed 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 Early Summer and Summer management groups while the Early Stuart and Late run management groups will be managed based on the respective Low Abundance Exploitation Rate (LAER) for each group (10% for Early Stuart and 20% for Lates). There will be no in-season estimates of management adjustment for Early Stuart in 2017 as the forecast returns are very low across most of the forecast range and it is anticipated they will be managed to the LAER, with the expected outcome of a spawning escapement well below target. First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) sockeye fisheries have been restricted by the 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 appearance of lateness 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 the identification of TAC for Early Summer and/or Summer run sockeye. FSC 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, July 25, 2017. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0697
Sent July 21, 2017 at 1622
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 28, 2024 at 1355
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