Fishery Notice

The Fraser River Panel met August 12, 2022, to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser Sockeye run to date and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed. The marine test fishing catches in Johnstone Strait have been moderate to low over the last few days, with the exception of the August 10 catch of 2,683 Sockeye in the Area 12 purse seine. There was a reduced number of sets noted for the Area 12 purse seine on August 11. Test fishing catches in Juan de Fuca over the last few days fluctuated for the gill nets but increased for the purse seine with a season high catch of 3,026 Sockeye on August 10. Gill net test fishing catches in the Fraser River over the last 3 days continue to be strong at Cottonwood and Brownsville Bar, and increased at Whonnock and Qualark during the same time period.
 
The most recent DNA samples collected from the Area 12 and Area 20 purse seine test fisheries on August 8 and 9, indicated that between 5% and 16% are Early Summer run Sockeye, 64% are Summer run Sockeye, and between 20% and 32% are Late run stocks. Recent DNA information from in-river test fisheries collected from August 8 to 10, indicated that 0% are Early Stuart Sockeye, between 18% and 25% are Early Summer run stocks, between 73% and 79% are Summer run stocks and between 2% and 5% are Late run stocks. The current 5-day average diversion rate through Johnstone Strait is 16%.

The total escapement estimate to August 11, 2022, is estimated to be 1,523,500, of which 243,000 are estimated to be Early Stuart Sockeye, 448,200 are estimated to be Early Summer run stocks, 785,800 are estimated to be Summer run stocks, and 46,500 are estimated to be Late run stocks.  During the Panel call today, the run sizes for Early Stuart and Early Summer run Sockeye were updated to 244,000 and 792,000,  respectively, with no changes to run timing. There still remains a lot of uncertainty in the return of the later-timed, South Thompson stocks of the Early Summer run management group, as well as the Summer and Late run management groups. Based on the information to date, the Panel approved the extension of the United States Area 4B/5/6C Treaty Tribal gill net fishery in Panel waters from August 13  at noon to August 17 at noon. The United States also proposed and the Panel approved a two-day Treaty Tribal gill net and purse seine fisherery in Areas 6/7/7a and a one-day All Citizens reef net fishery in Area 7. The proposed fisheries are well within the US share at the current adopted run sizes. Canada did not propose any fisheries beyond those First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) fisheries that are currently open or planned to open in the coming days. In-season assessment of all run timing groups generally occurs shortly after identification of their peak migration through marine areas. 

Water discharge at the Big Bar Landslide has dropped well below the level consistent with the unimpeded Sockeye passage threshold observed in 2021. Increasing numbers of Sockeye salmon continue to migrate above the Big Bar Landslide, with fish starting to reach peak of spawn in some areas in the upper Fraser watershed.  Robust assessment programs to evaluate passage success, as well as mitigation measures such as fish transport and brood stock collection for enhancement purposes will continue for the 2022 season. Additional information can be found at the following link: 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pacific-smon-pacifique/big-bar-landslide-eboulement/index-eng.html

The observed water temperature at Qualark on August 11, 2022, was 18.9° Celsius which is 0.4° Celsius above average for this date. Water temperatures are forecast to increase to 19.3° Celsius by August 17. The Fraser River discharge at Hope on August 11 was 4,194 cubic meters per second which is 19% above the average discharge for this date. Discharge levels are forecast to drop to 3,814 cubic meters per second by August 17. Actual water temperatures and discharge levels will be monitored closely during the 2022 return to determine if migration issues develop. 

Management adjustments are additional fish that are removed from identified harvest levels and allowed to escape upstream in an attempt to assist in the achievement of identified escapement objectives for the different run timing groups. For pre-season planning purposes, the Fraser Panel adopted management adjustments for Early Stuart based on the median for all years since 1995, Early Summer based on the historical all years median, Summer run Sockeye based on the pre-season 31-day temperature and discharge model, and Late run based on the dominant/other years median. The in-season approach to determining management adjustments will remain similar to pre-season for all management groups except for the Early Stuart, which will shift to the in-season Supplemental Approach based on all years since 1977. The Panel will continue to be provided and review the results from the historical temperature and discharge models, as well as observations of fish health throughout the watershed when making in-season decisions.

The second spawning ground report of the season was provided by DFO Stock Assessment on August 11.  Early Stuart Sockeye are approaching peak of spawn, with observations of Sockeye in most of the creeks surveyed, and Sockeye condition reported as slightly improved since the last update. Cyclic visual surveys began for lower Fraser tributaries on August 2, with Sockeye in the upper Chilliwack River reported as being in the early stages of spawning. The Scotch Creek counting fence was operational on August 10 with fish observed below the fence the day after installation.  The Eagle River and Seymour River hydroacoustic sites were operational August 10, with the first updates of passage expected August 18. The Nadina River and Stellako River hydroacoustic sites were operational on July 28 and July 30, respectively. As of August 7, 120 Sockeye have migrated passed the Nadina site and as of August 9, 1,865 Sockeye have migrated passed the Stellako site. The Chilko River and Quesnel River hydroacoustic sites were operational on August 4 and 5, respectively. As of August 9, Sockeye passage estimates were 229 at Chilko and 221 at Quesnel.  The Cultus Lake fence was installed on July 25 and as of August 10, 3 Sockeye have been manually counted through the fence or passively recorded on video. The water temperature in Sweltzer Creek is 25°Celsius.  

The 4-week window closure to protect Early Stuart and the earlier-timed Early Summer run Sockeye stocks has ended in the marine area and in the Fraser River. First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries in the marine area and in the Fraser River are underway, or being planned over the coming week. Based on the reduction in the run size for Early Summer run Sockeye (792k) compared to the p50 pre-season forecast (1.58m), future fisheries may be reduced to achieve escapement objectives for this management group.  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 directed at Fraser Sockeye remain closed at this time. 

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on August 16, 2022.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Regional Salmon Team - DFO Pacific
DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0894
Sent August 12, 2022 at 1502

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 18, 2024 at 0345