Fishery Notice

Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update (Areas 14 to 19)

Area 14 

Escapement estimates to date are as follows:  

Puntledge River, October 29 - 2,100 chum seen in the lower river below the 
fence, with an additional 413 counted above the fence and 1,685 removed for 
brood stock.  Total return to the river Oct 29 is 4,198 chum. - Target 
Escapement 60,000.  
Big Qualicum River, October 30 - 570 chum above the fence and approximately 
2,000 below the fence that have not been counted. Escapement projection of 
12,400. - Target Escapement 85,000.
Little Qualicum River, October 31 - 850 chum into the channel October 31 which 
are estimated to represent 20% of the escapement or 4,250 total. A swim is 
being conducted October 31.  - Target Escapement 85,000. 

At this time no commercial fishing opportunities are anticipated for the 
remainder of the season.

Areas 15 and 16 

To date Tla'amin staff have reported 1,497 chum in Sliammon Creek counted at 
the fence up to October 30, resulting in an average run timing projection of 
3,000 (50% uncertainty range 2,000-4,000). A stream walk of Okeover Creek 
estimated 46 chum on October 30. 

An aerial survey of systems located in Jervis and Narrows Inlets was completed 
on 30 October with total chum estimates of 90 in Brittain (5% spawning), 956 in 
Skwawka (10% spawning), 1524 in Deserted (40% spawning), 100 in Vancouver (10% 
spawning) and 880 in Tzoonie (70% spawning). 

Commercial fishing opportunities are not expected in 2019 due to low pre-season 
forecast levels of abundance.

Areas 17, 18, and 19

Escapement estimates to date are as follows: 

Nanaimo River, October 28 - 14,000 - Target Escapement 40,000. 
Cowichan River, October 30 - 52,000 - Target Escapement 160,000.
Goldstream River, October 30 - 6,700 - Target Escapement 15,000.

DIDSON counters were installed in the Nanaimo River on October 1 and in the 
Cowichan River on October 11. Stream surveys of the Goldstream River began 
October 14. Both the Nanaimo and Cowichan River's escapement estimates are low 
for this time period. The Goldstream in-river chum count is indicating an 
escapement above the 15,000 chum target, however, it appears to be trending 
towards early run timing. The next week should provide a clearer picture of 
chum return.   

There will not be a commercial fishery in Areas 17, 18 and 19 this week. The 
next Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update will be Thursday, November 7.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Terry Palfrey 250-756-7158
Kent Spencer 250-286-5885

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1129
Sent October 31, 2019 at 1405

Return to Main Menu

Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 20, 2024 at 0419