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Surrey North Delta Leader
Salmon coming in on target

By Jeff Nagel - Surrey North Delta Leader

Published: July 11, 2008 3:00 PM
Updated: July 11, 2008 3:08 PM
Returning sockeye salmon are starting to arrive in the Fraser River and there are early signs the run may not be a complete disaster.

Biologists still expect a very low return of only 2.9 million sockeye compared to good years of well over 10 million because this is the low year in the four-year cycle.

But they also feared a possible repeat of last year when just a third of the predicted number of fish actually showed up.

So far that bleak scenario isn't materializing.

"It's tracking about the way we expected," said Mike Lapointe, chief biologist for the Pacific Salmon Commission.

Salmon seem to be arriving somewhat early and in good health, he added.

Colder ocean temperatures over the past year or so off the coast have provided more food for salmon and a generally easier ride on the high seas.

"They aren't pushed as far north, they have a shorter distance to swim to get here and they seem to be a bit larger – about a six-pound average size," Lapointe said.

He said very limited commercial fishing might still be possible but decisions won't be made for a few weeks.

"Everybody's got to be cautious because of what happened last year."

United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union rep John Krgovich said boat owners and shore workers are also watching to see what happens.

"The mood is hopeful, but expectations are low," he said, noting fishery managers will need to be "ultra-conservative" to ensure enough returning salmon make it upriver to spawn.

Even if boats remain tied up through the summer sockeye run, he said, there should be a chum salmon fishery in the fall.

Some recreational fishing is also now underway for chinook salmon.

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 Fishery Notice
 
Category(s):  ABORIGINAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
 
Subject:  FN0461-Salmon: Fraser River Sockeye Update - Areas 11 to 29 - July 15 

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The Fraser River Panel reviewed Fraser sockeye stock status today. Area 20 gill
net test fishing has been consistently strong the last 6 days.  We would expect
to see an increase in the in-river abundance starting today as sockeye start to
pass the Mission hydro-acoustic counting facility.  Test catches remain low in
the Johnstone Strait route at this time.  The stock composition in marine
waters is showing a rapid decrease in Early Stuart stock composition as Early
Summer and Summer run management groups increase in abundance.  The 50% date of
Early Stuart sockeye is now estimated to have occurred on June 27 or 6 days
earlier then the long term average.  Similarly there are indications that the
Early Summer stock group are returning earlier then expected.

With regards to run size, the Panel today adopted a run size on Early Stuart
sockeye of 35,000 with 33,000 estimated to have migrated past Mission to date.
Fraser River discharge is running slightly lower than the historical average.
Yesterday's discharge of 5400 cms is forecast to drop steadily to about 4700
cms by July 23.  Fraser River temperatures have been fluctuating around the
historical average over the last couple weeks. From a high of 16.3 Celsius on
July 5 the temperature dropped to 14.4 Celsius on July 11 and yesterday had
risen to 15.6 Celsius, just below the historical average for the date.
Temperatures are forecast to stay close to historical averages over then next
10 days.
 
With 19 days of observed river conditions on which to base a MA prediction, the
mean 19-day averages are 6022 cms and 15.0 Celsius, results in an Early Stuart
pMA of 0.68 (-40% DBE), down from the pre-season forecast of 0.89 (-47% DBE).
There are no management implications of this update since at the current run
size the entire run is set aside for spawning escapement and a small test
fishing catch.

First Nation:

First Nation fisheries for food, social, ceremonial remain closed at this time
in the Fraser River.  In marine waters First Nation fisheries targeting may
occur, but given low abundance harvest and effort levels expected to be
minimal. 

Recreational:

Recreational fisheries for Fraser River sockeye in South Coast marine waters
and the Fraser River remains closed to sockeye retention.

Commercial:

No commercial fisheries are planned at this time.


The Panel will meet again on Friday July 18 to evaluate the status of the
Fraser River sockeye salmon runs and to consider regulatory actions.

Canadian commercial fishing regulations will be announced on the Fisheries and
Oceans Canada recorded message at 604-666-2828 (from the lower B.C. mainland),
and toll free from outside the lower B.C. mainland at 1-866-431-3474, and via
fishery notices.

   
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Paul Ryall, (604)666-0115
 
           

 
 
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0461
Sent July 15, 2008 at 1510
 

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