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[Sr SQ]

In a rather strange twist of fate, the extremely poor run predictions have resulted in one of the better escapement years in a very considerable amount of time. The only censured removals were by FN's using rod & reel. No recreational removals, and obviously no commercial actions. End result is that the vast majority that swam home got the opportunity to get up to the spawning grounds. Hatchery announced yesterday it's egg take targets have been achieved.

For many many years DFO has "managed" this run to the "escapement" required by the hatchery ONLY. This is IMHO a disaster in the making, and the greatly diminished run well shows how that approach works against the fish. For those same many years, escapement hovered around 16 - 20 thousand. The rest vacuumed up by all sectors actively supported by DFO. 

This year is a surprise. And largely a pleasant one at that. The only big concern remaining is the near complete lack of "jacks" strongly suggesting the run has a long ways to go in terms of rebuilding...

Somass River Escapement Bulletin
Observations to October 27, 2013

OBSERVATIONS:

Through October 27, a total of 50,818 adult coho, 3780 coho jacks, 28,589 adult Chinook, 669 Chinook jacks, 89,028 adult sockeye, and 93,615 sockeye jacks are estimated to have passed through the Stamp falls fishway.

Through October 27, a total of 14,061 adult coho, 1095 coho jacks, 144 adult Chinook, 122,270 adult sockeye, and 334,168 sockeye jacks are estimated to have passed through the Sproat falls fishway.

Since October 22, daily escapement counts through the Stamp Falls fishway ranged between 13 and 38 adult Chinook, and 5 and 22 adult coho. Adult sockeye daily escapement since October 22 ranged from 0 to 3 at the Stamp falls fishway. Sockeye continue to move through the Sproat fishway, with daily sockeye adults since October 22 ranging from 9 to 13 and daily sockeye jacks ranging from 2 to 11.

The discharge rate is low and over the past week has continued to decrease along with river temperatures. Over the past week river temperatures have ranged between 13.2 and 14.4oC at the Sproat fishway and over the past two days have ranged between 10.1 and 11.9oC at the Stamp falls fishway.

Note: Salmon escapement estimates in this bulletin are preliminary, based on an initial digital video review.

Cool, thx for the info