Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met on Tuesday, August 15 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 have fluctuated in recent days but are still 
much lower than expected.

Purse seine test catches of sockeye in Areas 12 continue to fluctuate at 
moderate levels with the largest catch of the year occurring yesterday, August 
14. In Area 20 catches continue to fluctuate at low levels. The purse seine 
test catches in the two approach areas has resulted in a slight decrease in the 
projected sockeye diversion rate through Johnstone Strait to 74% 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 3% Early Summer, 85% 
Summer and 12% Late run stocks. In Area 12, the purse seine stock composition 
was 5% Early Summer, 87% Summer and 8% Late run stocks. The decrease in 
proportion of Early Summer run stocks combined with the increase in the 
proportion of Late run stocks is suggesting that the total return of Fraser 
sockeye may have normal run timing for this cycle. The most recent in-river 
stock identification samples from the Whonnock test fishery are showing stock 
proportions of 6% Early Summer, 83% Summer and 11% Late run stocks.

Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates have decreased in recent days 
ranging between 30,700 and 48,700. The total estimated sockeye escapement as of 
August 14 is 549,100. Hell's Gate observations have continued to increase in 
recent days. 

During the call today, the Fraser Panel made no additional changes to the run 
size for Early Stuart, Early Summer or Summer run sockeye. At the current run 
size for Early Summer and Summer 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 14 is 46,400, 100,000 and 382,600 and 
20,100 fish, respectively. 

On August 14, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 2,571 cubic metres 
per second, which is approximately 26% lower than average for this date. The 
water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 14 increased 
to 19.7° Celsius which is 1.6° Celsius higher than average for this date. The 
forecast is for water temperatures to decrease to 18.9° Celsius by August 20 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, it continues to be 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 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 80% compared to the historical median of 50%. Run size and timing updates 
for Fraser pinks will likely begin in mid to late August.

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 to date directed 
at Chinook salmon. Sockeye encountered in 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 
Friday, August 18, 2017.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0817
Sent August 15, 2017 at 1429

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