Fraser Sockeye Closure

IronNoggin

Well-Known Member
Fraser sockeye fishing will close indefinitely Monday at Midnight.
Some background info:
Just came in off the commercial sockeye troll fishery off the west coast of the Isl. Area G did well in the week their fishery was open, with landings expected to be near 100,000 spread over a little better than 100 boats.
Sampling of sox in the San Juan Wednesday last indicated 30% of the sox passing through were the late summer stock of concern. The Salmon Commission hit the panic button HARD!! (as usual!) Sampling of the troll catch commenced (results unkown as of yet) on the North end of the Isl, and at the plants in Ucy & Tofu. Although Thursday's San Juan sampling indicated the late runs were dropping in percentage (down to 21%) the gears were already in motion to shut down ALL Fraser sox fishing (by non-natives that is) on both sides of the border as a result of the panic syndrome. Canadian landings (total sport, commercial and native)guestimated at less than 500,000 of an original 3.8 million piece quota. US landings signifigantly less than this. Sports fishing takes the hit as does all. Area G troll (west coast van isle) closed midnight last, Area H (inside) tomorrow midnight. Seines stopped all operations beyond test. Sports done Monday midnight.
A couple of thoughts/queries:
Does the panic closure seem to be an over-reaction as it was based on one day's testing? Would it not seem prudent to conduct more sampling over a period of a few days to ensure this was simply not a 'blip'?

What is the signifigance of the 30% findings? Does this mean the late runs are indeed running early? or simply a single wave of them passing through? Has years and years and years of maximum protection on the 'early' component of this late run now skewed the population towards the earlier run timing? Or does this early showing indicate the stock of concern will return in much higher numbers than projected (as have MOST returning runs this year to date)?

Will the arrival of nearly 5 million 'extra' sox (combined US/Canadian forcasted catch) on the spawning grounds negatively effect stock performance??

Although the commercial and sports industry have been shut out, will the Gov finally have the intestinal fortitude to enforce conservation policies with the Sto:lo??

Many more questions than answers right now! the PSC says if the percentage of late summers drops off, there will be further opportunities for sporties and commercial alike, but don't hold your breath. Most likely scenario will be an announcement AFTER the sox have passed that there could/should have been more opportunities for fishing all round - oops, so sorry, too late now (again!).

Sure glad I'm not on the PSC!!
 
CHANGES TO DATE:

"Recreational Fisheries
Areas 29-1 to 29-10 (Gulf of Georgia and the flats) closed to the
retention of sockeye 23:59 August 6. This measure was taken to
protect Late run sockeye delaying in the Gulf of Georgia.

The remainder of South Coast waters (Areas 11 through 28 and
associated offshore waters, the tidal portion of the Fraser River)
and the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River upstream of the CPR
bridge at Mission to Alexandra Bridge – remains open to sockeye
retention until further notice, with an update Wed Aug 14."

FROM: http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fnsreports/BrowseNotices_Detail.cfm?ID=4158

Get out while it's still open!!! Tight Lines...
 
CHANGES TO DATE:

"Recreational Fisheries
Areas 29-1 to 29-10 (Gulf of Georgia and the flats) closed to the
retention of sockeye 23:59 August 6. This measure was taken to
protect Late run sockeye delaying in the Gulf of Georgia.

The remainder of South Coast waters (Areas 11 through 28 and
associated offshore waters, the tidal portion of the Fraser River)
and the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River upstream of the CPR
bridge at Mission to Alexandra Bridge – remains open to sockeye
retention until further notice, with an update Wed Aug 14."

FROM: http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fnsreports/BrowseNotices_Detail.cfm?ID=4158

Get out while it's still open!!! Tight Lines...
 
CHANGES TO DATE:

"Recreational Fisheries
Areas 29-1 to 29-10 (Gulf of Georgia and the flats) closed to the
retention of sockeye 23:59 August 6. This measure was taken to
protect Late run sockeye delaying in the Gulf of Georgia.

The remainder of South Coast waters (Areas 11 through 28 and
associated offshore waters, the tidal portion of the Fraser River)
and the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River upstream of the CPR
bridge at Mission to Alexandra Bridge – remains open to sockeye
retention until further notice, with an update Wed Aug 14."

FROM: http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fnsreports/BrowseNotices_Detail.cfm?ID=4158

Get out while it's still open!!! Tight Lines...
 
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