Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 25, to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser Sockeye runs to date and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

In November 2018 a rock landslide occurred at Big Bar in the Fraser River upstream of Lillooet. In 2019 this slide was a significant impediment to upstream migration for Sockeye, Chinook and Coho destined for spawning habitats upstream of the slide. Significant work has occurred over the past several months to improve passage for fish combined with assessment programs to evaluate passage success as well as brood stock collection for enhancement purposes. Over the last two weeks natural passage has improved and there has been a combined total of approximately 103,166 Chinook and Sockeye salmon observed 40km upstream from the slide at the Churn Creek hydroacoustics site.  Additional information and regular updates on passage can be found at the following link. 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pacific-smon-pacifique/big-bar-landslide-eboulement/index-eng.html.

In the Fraser River, Sockeye catches in the Whonnock gill net test fishery have modestly improved in recent days with daily catches of  3 and 2 on August 23 and 24 respectively, while catches in the Qualark test fishery continue to be higher than Whonnock with recent daily catches of 3 and 14 on August 22 and 23, respectively. A limited number of DNA samples from the Whonnock test fishery from August 19 to 23 indicate that 100% are Summer Run stocks, primarily Harrison. DNA samples from Qualark Creek from August 21 to 23 was comprised of 11% Early Summers, and 89% Summer run stocks. The in-season annual average diversion rate through Johnstone Strait is estimated to be 25%.

During the Panel call today PSC staff provided revised escapement estimates for the season as it became apparent that the high water levels experienced this season resulted in underestimation of Sockeye passage at Mission. The total Sockeye escapement to August 24 is now estimated to be 266,000 of which 15,900 are Early Stuart Sockeye, 68,200 are Early Summer run stocks, 175,900 are Summer run stocks and 6,000 Late run stocks. Currently the total return of Fraser Sockeye to the river in 2020 is estimated to be approximately 269,700 fish with approximately 10,000 fish still to come. This continues to be a record low return for all cycles of Fraser River Sockeye.

The observed water temperature at Qualark on August 24 was 17.6° Celsius which is average for this date. Water temperatures are forecast to decrease to 15.1° Celsius by August 30. The Fraser River discharge at Hope on August 24 was 3,410 cubic meters per second which is 20% above the average discharge for this date. Discharge levels are forecast to decrease to 3,232 cubic meters per second by August 30.

Currently, all First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) Sockeye fisheries are closed and will remain that way for the duration of the 2020 season as there is no available TAC. Very limited fishing opportunities directed at Chinook salmon continue to occur with Sockeye non-retention regulations in place as well as the requirement to attend nets at all times so Sockeye can be released alive and unharmed. 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. Commercial and recreational fisheries on Fraser River Sockeye will not be authorized in 2020. 

The fourth in season update on Fraser Sockeye spawning escapement was released by DFO stock assessment on August 20. Recently very low numbers of Sockeye, less than 10 in total, have been observed in or at the mouths of a few Early Stuart spawning tributaries. To date there have been no Sockeye observed in the Nadina River or at the hydroacoustic program in the Stellako River which began on August 7. The Scotch Creek counting fence has been operational since August 7 with two Sockeye enumerated to date. In the upper Chilliwack River the hydro-acoustics program estimates that 24,233 Sockeye have entered the river as of August 18. The Chilko hydroacoustics program began on  August 7 with no Sockeye enumerated to date. In addition no Sockeye have been observed in the Quesnel or Nechako Summer run systems to date. The counting fence on Swelzter Creek (Cultus) was installed on July 27 and to date 14 Sockeye has been enumerated into Cultus Lake.

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Regional Salmon Team - DFO Pacific
DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0876
Sent August 25, 2020 at 1628

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 10, 2026 at 0538