Low Returns of Squamish River Chum

[cohochinook]

It seems there was something that caused low chum survival along much of the coast. Chum returns had in the past several years been pretty good, but this illustrates the challenge any of our fisheries face. DFO is unable, or unwilling, to adjust exploitation rates on these fish when the inevitable un-forecasted low return year occurs. Had fisheries, sport, commercial and FN been stopped as soon as it became apparent the runs were low, the escapement may have been adequate to propagate the runs. Now this brood year return may be permanently damaged on runs where commercial/FN harvest was allowed,

Other than last year the chum returns to the Squamish have beeb very poor for the last several years. Last year was okay, but still not a great.

 

[cohochinook]

Out of curiousity, what were the Chinook returns for the Squamish system?

I know they were able to capture all of their brood for the hatchery. They changed their program about 5 years ago from capturing Chinook brood in the ocean to now doing it in the river. They capture a certain number of adults from each River in the Squamish system. They have been getting good results from this with about a 6% return rate. Coho where decent numbers.

 

[SerengetiGuide]

I can't comment on the gold stream or the cowie but those #s on the nanaimo river are BS.

Heard goldstream was good

 

[fishinforever]

Good enough to have the gillnet fleet working the inlet in November...