Zone 2 based on 5 salmon in test fishery
Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll,
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0489-Fraser River Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 Chinook: June 11th Abundance Update
In 2012, the Department has identified concerns associated with expected poor
returns of Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 chinook to the Fraser River. Management
of these stocks is based on an inseason assessment of returns using the
cumulative catch per unit effort (CPUE) of chinook at the Albion Test
Fishery. A three zone management approach is used to identify management
actions. Management actions for a return of less than 30,000 chinook to the
Fraser River (management zone 1) were planned pre-season based on the number of
spawners in the 2007 parental-generation (22,000 chinook) and the recent lower
than average return rates.
The model used to predict the returns of Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 chinook to
the Fraser River uses data from the standard chinook net at the Albion Test
fishery and does not use catch from the multi-panel net (which is currently
fished on alternating days). The standard chinook net is an 8 inch (approx.
20 cm) mesh.
The 2012 Albion chinook test fishery began operating on April 25th. A total of
five (5) chinook have been caught in the standard chinook net; an additional
eight (8) chinook have been caught in the multi-panel net. The CPUE input into
the model continues to be below the lower range of historical CPUE's used to
parameterize the model (1995 to 2010, excluding 2007). Based on the CPUE, for
the period May 6 to June 9, the current predicted return to the mouth of the
Fraser of Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 chinook in the aggregate ranges from 30,000
to 73,000 chinook (median of 47,060) or 86% probability of being in zone 2.
The model prediction indicates there is a 2% probability of returns to the
Fraser less than 30,000 (zone 1). Even if no further chinook are caught in the
Albion test fishery standard Chinook net prior to the final inseason update on
June 18th, the median predicted return to the mouth of the Fraser of Spring 5-2
and Summer 5-2 chinook would be 41,000 (zone 2).
Based on this inseason information, the Department is planning to implement
management actions associated with zone 2 (i.e. returns to the Fraser between
30 and 60 thousand chinook) for Fraser Spring 5-2 and Summer 5-2 chinook.
Management actions for specific areas will be confirmed by separate fishery
notices. The final inseason update is scheduled for June 18th and will be
provided for information purposes.
Fishery management actions to conserve Fraser River Spring 4-2 chinook continue
to remain in effect.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Grout 604-666-0497
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0489
Sent June 12, 2012 at 09:37
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