Fishery Notice
Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject:
FN0523-Fraser River Spring 5(2) and Summer 5(2) Chinook - June 14, 2016 Final In-season Abundance Update
In 2016, the Department has identified concerns associated with expected poor
returns of Fraser River Spring 5(2) and Summer 5(2) chinook. Management of
these stocks is based on an in-season assessment of returns using the
cumulative catch per unit effort (CPUE) of chinook caught at the Albion Test
Fishery. A three zone management approach is used to identify management
actions.
The Department initiated the 2016 season with management actions based on the
lowest management zone (zone 1) given uncertainties in expected marine survival
rate, and recent years of poor returns for these stock aggregates.
The model developed to predict the return of Fraser River Spring 5(2) and
Summer 5(2) chinook uses data from the standard chinook net fished by the
Albion Test fishery and does not incorporate catch from the multi-panel net
(which is currently fished on alternate days). The standard chinook net is an 8
inch (approx. 20 cm) mesh. Catch and effort data are cumulated by week,
starting the first full week in May, to provide the input to the model.
In 2016, the Albion chinook test fishery began operating on April 24. The
total catch for the period of this update (May 1 to June 11) was seventeen (17)
chinook, six (6) of which were caught in the standard (8 inch) net. Based on
this input to the model, the current predicted return to the mouth of the
Fraser for the Spring and Summer 5(2) chinook aggregates is approximately
43,000 fish. This predicted return is consistent with management zone 1 where
returns to the Fraser River are below 45 thousand chinook and conservation
concerns for Fraser chinook are the primary management consideration.
This is final in-season update.
The Department is currently reviewing fishery management actions for specific
areas and these will be confirmed by separate fishery notices.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Kelly Binning (604) 666-3935
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0523
Sent June 14, 2016 at 1533
So of I am reading this right, no one gets to fish right now? I am not trying to be obtuse, but if I see nets set on the Fraser they should be reported? Will anything actually be done?