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:
FN0709-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - July 25, 2017
The Fraser River Panel met on Tuesday, July 25 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 very poor in both the marine and in-river testing areas. Purse seine test fishing began in Area 12 on July 24 while Area 20 began on July 25. Catches during the first day in Area 12 and the last 3 days of Reef Net observations were also very low. Stock identification information is showing a decline in the proportion of Early Stuart sockeye in Area 20 with continued presence in Area 12 samples. Early Summer and Summer run stocks are currently comprising the largest fraction in both approach areas. 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 been extremely low in recent days. During today's Panel call, the start-up of the purse seine test fishery in Area 13 was delayed to Monday July 31, with confirmation to be made during the next Panel meeting on July 28. Based on the gill net test fishery catches in Areas 12 and 20, the diversion rate through Johnstone Strait has increased to 28% which remains below the pre-season predicted rate of 51% for the entire season. The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine test fisheries show sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 0% Early Stuart, 48% Early Summer and 52% Summer run stocks. In Area 12 the stock composition was 23% Early Stuart, 32% Early Summer and 45% Summer run stocks. During the call today, the Fraser Panel made no changes to the 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 24 is 43,800 fish. Early Summer run stocks are also tracking well below the p25 forecast of 166,000 with some of the later timing stocks in this group not being observed at this time. During the Panel call today the decision was made to reduce the run size for Early Summers to the p25 run size as an interim step with the anticipation of further reductions if the later timed stocks also return lower than forecast. At this run size there is no TAC available and as such no sockeye directed fisheries are being considered at this time. The estimated escapement of Early Summer-run and Summer-run sockeye past Mission through July 24 is only 18,800 and 4,500 respectively. Both are well below the expected levels for this date. On July 24, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 3,344 m3/s, which is approximately 30% lower than average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 24 was 17.4°C, which is 0.2°C lower than average for this date due largely to cooler air temperatures in recent days. The forecast is for water temperatures to increase to 18.8°C by July 30. Due to the very low discharge levels, water temperatures are influenced 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 Friday, July 28, 2017. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0709
Sent July 25, 2017 at 1519
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 1314
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