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:
FN0759-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - August 1, 2017
The Fraser River Panel met on Tuesday, August 1 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 Area 12 but have fluctuated considerably in Area 20 in recent days while purse seine test catches have been improving in Area 12 and declining in Area 20. The Area 13 purse seine test fishery began on July 31 with a modest catch in the first day of operation. 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 38% which remains below the pre-season forecast of 51%. In-river gill net test catches have been mixed with Whonnock having extremely low catches since testing began in early July and Cottonwood having increased catches in recent days. Stock identification information is currently indicating that Early Stuart sockeye have cleared the marine and lower Fraser River test fishing areas. The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine purse seine test fisheries show sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 0% Early Stuart, 13% Early Summer, 85% Summer and 2% Late run stocks. In Area 12, the purse seine stock composition was 0% Early Stuart, 21% Early Summer, 78% Summer and 1% Late run stocks. In-river stock identification information remains highly uncertain as sample sizes have been extremely low. Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates have increased in recent days with the largest daily escapement estimate to date being 12,400 on July 31. The total estimated sockeye escapement as of July 31 is 119,300. Hell's Gate observations continue to be extremely low in recent days. 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 July 31 is 44,600, 39,500 and 35,200 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 continue to track well below the p25 forecast level, however, it is too early to make any run size modifications at this time. On July 31, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 3,045 m3/s, which is approximately 30% lower than average for this date. The water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 31 increased to 18.7°C which is 0.7°C higher than average for this date. The forecast is for water temperatures to increase to 19.9°C by August 6. 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 (MA) 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 MA 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 ID 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 (FSC) 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. 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, August 4, 2017. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0759
Sent August 1, 2017 at 1554
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 0736
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