Here it is.
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FN0968-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - September 1, 2015
The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, September 1st, to receive an update on the
migration of the Fraser sockeye and pink runs to date and review the status of
migration conditions within the Fraser River watershed.
The migration of Fraser sockeye through the marine approach areas has continued
to decline in recent days with the majority of the migration remaining through
Johnstone Straits. Migration into the Fraser River has been steady but
continues to be at well below expected levels for the time of year and forecast
run size. The majority of the sockeye return continues to be Summer run stocks
with declining contributions from Early Summer stocks and increasing
proportions of Late run stocks. Estimates of daily Mission passage of sockeye
has been in the 53,000 to 80,000 range in the last few days while observations
at Hells Gate continue to show good passage of fish. The Area 13 purse seine
test fishery ended on August 31st.
The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine seine test fisheries show
sockeye stock compositions of 0 to 5% Early Summers, 50 to 66% Summer runs and
29 to 50% Late run stocks depending upon the approach area. At this time, the 5
day average diversion rate through Johnstone Strait for sockeye has increased
to 97%.
During the Panel meeting today, there were no changes to the run size for
Early Summer and Summer run sockeye however there was a reduction in the run
size for late run sockeye from 419,000 down to 300,000 fish with an Area 20
timing of August 23rd which is 6 days later than the pre-season timing of
August 17th. The number of Early Summer, Summer and late run sockeye estimated
to have passed Mission through August 31st is 356,300, 1,449,400 and 130,100
respectively
On August 31st, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 1,875 cms, which
is approximately 26% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser
River at Qualark Creek on August 31st declined to 17.3°C, which is 0.4°C above
average for this date. The river discharge level is forecast to drop to 1,813
cms by September 6th while water temperatures are forecast to decline to 15.1°C
for the same date. After reviewing environmental and stock assessment
information, there were no changes made to the management adjustment factors
for any of the run timing groups in today's Fraser Panel meeting. Management
adjustments are additional fish that are removed from identified harvest levels
and allowed to escape upstream in an attempt to assist in achievement of
escapement objectives for the different run timing groups. Observations of fish
condition in the Fraser River to date have shown low levels of fish showing
signs of stress or dead fish due to environmental conditions.
During recent days there has been a significant drop in the abundance of pink
salmon in the marine test fisheries in both approach areas. Weather conditions
have hampered test fisheries in both routes however in-river migration has also
been very low to date. The combination of these factors and the run size model
estimates of a total return in the range of 5 million pinks resulted in the
Fraser Panel adopting a provisional run size of 6 million Fraser pinks for
management purposes. At this run size there is limited TAC available for Fraser
pinks. Recent stock composition samples available for today's meeting indicate
a decrease in the proportion of Fraser pinks in Johnstone Strait to 59% and 67%
in Area 20. The most recent estimate of diversion of Fraser pink salmon through
Johnstone Strait has declined to 11% in the most recent 5 days of test fishing.
First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) fisheries in marine areas and
the Fraser River mainstem up to French Bar Creek remain closed to sockeye
retention at this time. At the current run sizes there will be no sockeye
directed FSC fisheries in non-terminal areas for the remainder of the season.
FSC fisheries upstream of French Bar Creek remain open to sockeye retention as
catches have been low to date.
Fishers are requested to check for the opening times and any restrictions in
their local area. There are no planned commercial or recreational fisheries on
sockeye at this time.
The fifth upstream escapement report was released by DFO last week. The Early
Stuart sockeye enumeration program is ending this week with an in-season
estimate of 74% spawning success which is below the long term average of 89%
for this system. The first ground survey of the Nahatlatch system was conducted
on August 21st and the second survey of the Upper Chilliwack River was
conducted August 25th. Sockeye are reported to be in generally good condition
in the Upper Chilliwack River and nearing peak of spawn. The Nadina River
Channel was operational the evening of August 14th. 12,355 sockeye have been
counted into the channel to date. An additional 2,000 to 3,000 sockeye were
reported to be holding in front of the channel entrance. The counters at Gates
Creek and the Gates Creek spawning channel were operational August 7th. 1,413
Sockeye have been counted into the channel to date and an additional 5,559 have
been counted into the creek upstream of the channel to date. Many sockeye are
reported to have lesions, but are otherwise in generally good condition. The
counting fence on Scotch Creek was operational on August 9th; 459 sockeye have
passed through the fence to date. Most sockeye observed are reported to be in
good condition, but some have lesions and other marks. Visual surveys of Early
Summer-run streams that are tributary to the North and South Thompson Rivers
began on August 10th. Sockeye were observed holding in the Upper Barriere
River as well as off the mouth of Anstey River the current reporting period.
The Chilko River hydroacoustic site was operational on August 8th. Sockeye
numbers continue to be steadily increasing with no signs of pre-spawn mortality
observed to date. Many of the sockeye are reported to have lesions. The
Quesnel River hydroacoustic site was operational August 13th. Sockeye
migration into the system has steadily increased since last week. The Stellako
River hydroacoustic site was operational August 22nd. Sockeye are in the
early stages of migration into the river. Visual surveys of Summer-run sockeye
streams in the North Thompson drainage began Aug 11th. Sockeye continue to
migrate into the Raft River and are reported to be in good condition. The
Birkenhead hydroacoustic site became operational August 26th. The counting
fence at Sweltzer Creek (Cultus sockeye) was operational as of July 20th. 41
sockeye have passed through the fence to date and 6 sockeye have been taken for
broodstock
The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on
Friday, September 4th, 2015.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jennifer Nener 604-666-6478
Author
Topic: 2015 Fraser River Chinook and Sockeye Salmon Updates (Read 63035 times)