Latest on Fraser River Sockeye -
"Fishery Notice
Category(s): ABORIGINAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject: FN0666-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye Update - Areas 11 to 29 - July 26, 2013
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Current information indicates that there is Total Allowable Catch available for
Early Summer and Summer Run sockeye, enabling limited Food, Social and
Ceremonial fisheries to begin in South Coast marine areas, in the Lower Fraser
River area, and in the mid-Fraser area. A closure to protect Early Stuart
sockeye remains in effect in portions of the upper Fraser River, with the
exception of small First Nations harvests for Food, Social and Ceremonial
purposes in terminal areas in accordance with fisheries management plans. More
specific information about openings in different areas is provided in Fisheries
Notices which can be found at
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/fns/index.cfm
An update from the July 26, 2013 Fraser River Panel meeting follows:
The Fraser River Panel met July 26, 2013 to review assessment data on Fraser
River sockeye salmon and environmental conditions in the Fraser River
watershed. Marine test fishing catches in Johnstone Strait and Juan de Fuca
Strait indicate an increase in the abundance of Fraser sockeye salmon migrating
through the marine approach areas. The diversion rate of Fraser sockeye through
Johnstone Strait is presently estimated to be 43%. DNA analysis of samples
collected from recent test fisheries in Johnstone Strait and Juan de Fuca
Strait indicate that Early Summer-run and Summer-run sockeye are the dominant
Fraser sockeye runs currently migrating through the marine assessment areas.
The migration of sockeye past the Mission hydroacoustic site has increased in
recent days.
The marine migration of Early Stuart sockeye is complete. At the meeting
today, the in-season run size estimate of 180,000 Early Stuart was unchanged.
The estimated escapement of Early Stuart sockeye past Mission through July 25
is 178,000 fish. DFO initiated visual surveys of Early Stuart spawning grounds
on July 23, 2013, although sockeye were first observed off the mouth of Gluske
Creek on July 19, 2013. The sockeye are reported to be in good condition.
Details on DFO's Fraser sockeye escapement enumeration plans this season are
available at
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/fraser/docs/Escapement/sockeye-
rouge-eng.html.
Assessments of Early Summer-run sockeye run size are currently exceeding the
p50 or mid-point forecast of 235,000 sockeye, with Pitt River sockeye appearing
to be much larger than forecast. A more accurate assessment of Early Summer-run
sockeye abundance should be available next week after further data are
collected. The estimated escapement of Early Summer-run sockeye past Mission
through July 25, 2013 is 181,000 fish.
It is early in the marine migration of Summer-run sockeye through marine
assessment areas. Summer-run sockeye (Chilko, Quesnel, Late Stuart, Stellako,
Harrison, Raft, and North Thompson) are expected to provide most of the fishing
opportunities directed at Fraser sockeye this season. The peak migration of
Summer-run sockeye (Chilko) was forecast to be earlier than average. Current
assessments suggest that their marine timing may be later than expected. In-
season assessments of Summer-run sockeye abundance will not be available until
after their expected peak migration period through Juan de Fuca Strait in early
August. The estimated escapement of Summer-run sockeye past Mission through
July 25, 2013 is 50,000 fish.
Catches of pink salmon in marine test fisheries have been at much higher levels
than usual for this early in the season. It is likely that a large proportion
of these pink salmon are from Canada South Coast (non-Fraser) and Washington
pink salmon stocks that typically migrate earlier through the marine assessment
areas than Fraser River pink salmon. DNA analysis of pink salmon tissue samples
from marine test and commercial fisheries will be conducted over the next
several weeks to provide estimates of stock composition and assist with run
size estimation of Fraser River pink salmon.
On July 25, 2013, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 4,040 cms, which
is approximately 19% lower than average for this date. The temperature of the
Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 25, 2013 was 20.0 C, which is 2.9 C
higher than average for this date. Sustained exposure of sockeye to Fraser
River water temperatures in this range may slow their migration and cause
elevated levels of pre-spawning mortality. Fraser River water temperatures are
forecast to decrease to slightly below 18 C over the next few days. There were
no changes to management adjustments at the meeting today. Management
adjustments are additional fish that are allowed to migrate into the Fraser
system to help achieve spawning escapement targets.
The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Monday, July
29th, 2013.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jennifer Nener
604-666-9993
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0666
Sent July 26, 2013 at 1453
