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[Rodney]

July 13th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, July 13 to receive an update on the migration of Early Stuart sockeye and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

In-season assessments of Early Stuart sockeye indicate that they are currently tracking below the 50% probability level forecast of abundance, which is 45,000 fish. A more accurate assessment of their abundance will be available next week. DNA analyses indicate that Early Summer-run sockeye have begun entering the Fraser River.

The recent hot weather in the Fraser River watershed has melted much of the remaining snow-pack. On July 12, the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was approximately 6,750 cms, which is slightly below the level that the first signs of physiological stress to migrating sockeye are typically observed. The water temperature of the Fraser River at Hope on July 12 was about 16.2 0 C, which is slightly above average for this date. Fraser River discharge levels and water temperatures will be monitored closely this summer to determine specific management actions that are required during the in-river migratory period to help achieve escapement goals.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on July 20, 2007.


Pacific Salmon Commission's news release
2006 post-season update and 2007 management season summary

[Rodney]

July 20th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, July 20 to receive an update on the migration of Early Stuart and Early Summer-run sockeye and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

The Early Stuart sockeye run has been weak this season due to the low return of four year old fish. Current run size assessments indicate that the run size of Early Stuart sockeye will be less than half of the 50% probability level forecast of 45,000 fish. Early Summer-run will be continuing to enter the marine assessment areas over the next few weeks. The 50% probability level forecast for these sockeye is 690,000 fish. An in-season estimate of their run size should be available in early August assuming that their peak marine timing is near average.

The cooler weather in the Fraser River watershed over the past several days has caused a decrease in water temperatures. On July 19, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 6,600 cms while the water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek was 17.1 0C, which is almost 1 0C higher than average for this date. The discharge of the Fraser River at Hope is forecast to decrease while water temperatures are forecast to increase to approximately 18 0C by early next week.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on July 24, 2007.


Pacific Salmon Commission's news release

[Rodney]

July 24th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, July 24 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches of sockeye have remained at low levels. The return of four year old Fraser sockeye thus far this season continues to track far below pre-season expectations. Assessments of Early Stuart sockeye abundance indicate that the run will be less than half of the pre-season 50% probability level forecast of 45,000 fish. An estimate of Early Summer-run sockeye abundance will not be available until approximately early August, however their migration through marine assessment areas thus far has been very low.
Migration conditions for sockeye in the Fraser River are presently satisfactory. On July 23, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 6,600 cms while the water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek was 16.8 0C.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on July 27, 2007.

[Rodney]

July 27th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, July 27 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches in marine and Fraser River assessment areas have continued to indicate a very low migration of Fraser River sockeye salmon thus far this season. At the meeting today, the Panel approved an in-season run size estimate of 13,000 Early Stuart sockeye, which is less than one-third of the pre-season forecast of their abundance. The estimated 50% passage date of Early Stuart sockeye through Area 20 this season is July 1, which is consistent with the pre-season forecast of their marine timing. The migration of Early Summer-run sockeye through marine and Fraser River assessment areas has been very low thus far and it is very unlikely that they will reach their forecast level of abundance (50% probability level forecast of 690,000 fish). A more accurate assessment of their run size will be available next week. It is early in the marine migration of Summer-run sockeye through assessment areas and estimates of their run size will not be available until after the first week in August.

Migration conditions for sockeye in the Fraser River are presently satisfactory. On July 26, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 6,100 cms, while the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 16.7 0C, which is slightly lower than average for this date. The discharge of the Fraser River at Hope is forecast to continue to decline while water temperatures are forecast to increase to approximately 18.5 0C by mid next week. Fraser River water temperatures exceeding 18 0C may have an adverse impact on the upstream migration of sockeye salmon.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on July 31, 2007.

Pacific Salmon Commission's news release

[Rodney]

July 31st, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, July 31 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches in marine and Fraser River assessment areas have continued to indicate a low migration of Fraser River sockeye salmon thus far this season. However, sockeye catches in the Juan de Fuca Strait gillnet test fishery increased during the last two days, which is consistent with the expected building migration of Summer-run sockeye through marine assessment areas over the next several days. The migration of Early Summer-run sockeye through marine and Fraser River assessment areas has been very low to-date and it is unlikely that they will reach the 75% probability level forecast of 389,000 fish. Assessments of the abundance of Summer-run sockeye will be provided after the first week in August.

On July 30, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 5,500 cms, while the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 17.3 0C, which is the average water temperature for this date. Fraser River water temperatures are forecast to increase to 18.3 0C by August 3.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 3, 2007.

[Rodney]

August 3rd, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 3 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Recent purse seine test fishing catches in Johnstone and Juan de Fuca Straits that began on August 1 and gillnet test fishing catches have indicated an increasing migration of sockeye through marine approach areas, which is consistent with the anticipated building abundance of Summer-run sockeye entering coastal waters over the coming week. However, the overall abundance of Fraser sockeye migrating through marine assessment areas over the past week has continued to be lower than expected. At the meeting today, the Panel approved a run size estimate of 231,000 Early Summer-run sockeye (the 90% probability level forecast) for management purposes. Summer-run sockeye migration through marine areas is presently tracking an abundance level below their 50% probability level forecast (3,369,000 fish) or their migration timing is later than average. A more accurate assessment of their abundance should be available by late next week.

On August 2, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 4,900 cms, while the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 17.7 0C, which is near normal for this date. Fraser River water temperatures are forecast to decrease to 17.0 0C.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 6, 2007.

Pacific Salmon Commission's news release

[Rodney]

August 7th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 7 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches of Fraser River sockeye salmon in the marine assessment areas have generally been moderate over the last several days. The return of four year old Fraser River sockeye thus far this season continues to be far below pre-season expectations. The current run size estimate for Early Summer-run sockeye that is being used for management purposes is 231,000 fish; although current assessments suggest that the return may be lower than this. The expected peak migration of Summer-run sockeye through Juan de Fuca Strait would be occurring over the next few days. However, current Summer-run sockeye run size estimates suggest that the return is considerably below the 50% probability level forecast (3,369,000 fish) or their marine migration timing is substantially later than forecast.

Environmental conditions in the Fraser River are currently satisfactory for the migration of sockeye salmon. On August 6, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 4,400 cms, while the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 17.6 0C, which is average for this date.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 10, 2007.

[Rodney]

August 10th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 10 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

The estimated abundance of sockeye salmon migrating through marine areas and into the Fraser River has been much lower than forecast over the past several weeks. At the meeting today the Panel reduced the run size estimate of Early Summer-run sockeye from 231,000 fish to 150,000. Estimates of Summer-run sockeye are much lower than their pre-season 50% probability level forecast of 3,369,000 fish. At the meeting today, the Panel approved a run size estimate of 1,261,000 Summer-run sockeye, which is the 90% probability level forecast. Stock identification analyses of sockeye samples collected from the lower Fraser River gillnet test fisheries indicate that Late-run sockeye are currently entering the Fraser River with little or no delay in the Strait of Georgia. The return of Late-run sockeye thus far is tracking a run size below the 50% probability level forecast. The migration of pink salmon through the marine approach areas has been occurring since approximately mid July. Assessments of their migratory timing, stock contribution to fisheries and abundance will be conducted over the next several weeks. The peak migration of Fraser River pink salmon through Juan de Fuca Strait usually occurs between late August and early September.

On August 9, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 4,200 cms, which is approximately 9% higher than normal, while the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 18.2 0C, which is approximately 0.5 0C higher than average for this date. Fraser River water temperatures are forecast to decrease to approximately 17 0C over the next week.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 13, 2007.

Pacific Salmon Commission's news release

[Rodney]

August 10th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Monday, August 13 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

The estimated abundance of sockeye salmon migrating through the marine approach routes to the Fraser River continues to be much lower than forecast. The total return of Fraser sockeye this season is currently tracking a run size that is only about 25% of the pre-season 50% probability level forecast. At the meeting today, the Panel reduced the run size estimate of Early Summer-run sockeye from 150,000 fish to 120,000 fish and the run size estimate of Summer-run sockeye from 1,261,000 fish to 750,000 fish. The Panel also adopted the 90% probability level forecast run sizes for true Late-run sockeye of 504,000 fish and Birkenhead sockeye of 227,000 fish. Test fishing catches of Fraser River pink salmon continue to be moderate, however they are expected to increase over the next two weeks as the peak migration of these fish enters Johnstone and Juan de Fuca Straits.

On August 12, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 3,800 cms, while the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 17.2 0C, which is approximately 0.5 0C lower than average for this date.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 17, 2007.

[Rodney]

August 17th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 17 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

The total return of Fraser River sockeye this season is presently tracking an abundance level approximately 25% of that expected during pre-season fishery planning. Purse seine test fishing catches of sockeye in Johnstone Strait have been steady over the past week and the diversion rate of Fraser River sockeye through Johnstone Strait is currently estimated to be between 60% and 65%. DNA analyses conducted over the past few days indicate that the marine migration of Early Summer-run sockeye is extending over a longer period than was projected last week. At the meeting today the run size estimate of Early Summer-run sockeye was increased from 120,000 fish to 150,000 fish and the run size estimate of Summer-run sockeye was unchanged at 750,000 fish. The Panel increased the run size estimate for true Late-run sockeye from 504,000 to 600,000 fish at the meeting today. The run size estimate for Birkenhead sockeye remained at 227,000 fish.

Test fishing catches of pink salmon by purse seines in Johnstone Strait have been generally building over the past week, while in Juan de Fuca Strait catches of pinks have been low. The diversion rate of pink salmon through Johnstone Strait is presently estimated to be 85%. Assessments of the abundance of Fraser River pink salmon will be made near the expected peak migration of these fish through the marine approach areas, which usually occurs in late August.

On August 16, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 3,300 cms, which is close to average for this date and the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 17.4 0C, which is also close to average.

All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present time.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 21, 2007.

Pacific Salmon Commission's news release

[Rodney]

August 21st, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 21 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Purse seine test fishing catches of sockeye in Johnstone Strait have been steady over the past week and the diversion rate of Fraser River sockeye through Johnstone Strait is currently estimated to be between 80% and 90%. At the meeting today the run size estimate of Early Summer-run sockeye was unchanged at 150,000 fish, while the run size estimate for Summer-run sockeye was increased from 750,000 fish to 825,000 fish. The Panel also increased the run size estimate for true Late-run sockeye from 600,000 fish to 800,000 fish, which included 600,000 Late Shuswap and Weaver sockeye and 200,000 Harrison sockeye. The run size estimate for Birkenhead sockeye was unchanged at 227,000 fish.

Test fishing catches of pink salmon by purse seines in Johnstone Strait have been generally building over the past week, while in Juan de Fuca Strait test fishing catches of pinks have increased substantially since last Saturday. The diversion rate of pink salmon through Johnstone Strait is presently estimated to be approximately 50%. Assessments of the abundance of Fraser River pink salmon will be made near the expected peak migration of these fish through the marine approach areas, which usually occurs in late August.
The discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was projected to be about 3,400 cms on August 20 and the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 17.2 0C, which is slightly below average.

CANADIAN FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

FIRST NATIONS

Very limited food, ceremonial and social fisheries (FSC) for First Nations targeting Fraser River sockeye remain open in areas of the Fraser River above Sawmill Creek.  Fisheries are limited this week given the concerns for very low returns of Fraser sockeye.  There remains TAC available for Summer and Late run sockeye. Limited fisheries targeting primarily Summer run will be initiated this week in the lower Fraser River and interior of B.C.  Marine waters will remain closed unless run size increases.

RECREATIONAL
     
Recreational fisheries for Fraser River sockeye in South Coast marine waters are non-retention sockeye.  For further details on the recreational fishery within the Fraser River see FN0597.

COMMERCIAL

No commercial fisheries are planned at this time.

The Panel will meet again on Friday August 24 to evaluate the status of the Fraser River sockeye salmon runs and to consider regulatory actions.   Next update will be released on Friday afternoon August 21.

UNITED STATES FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

TREATY INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: Open to drift gillnets for pink salmon from 12:00 p.m. (noon), Thursday, August 23, 2007, to 12:00 p.m. (noon) Saturday, August 25, 2007.

NON INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 7 and 7A: Open to reefnets for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2007, 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, August 24, 2007 and from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) Saturday, August 25, 2007.
(Note: U. S. Non-Treaty fishers should check the U.S. hotline and WDFW regulations before fishing as there are additional State of Washington regulations, including time restrictions that may be in effect).

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 24, 2007.

[Rodney]

August 24th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met today to review reports from the Pacific Salmon Commission staff on the status of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs. The low overall abundance of Fraser sockeye returning this year has caused assessments of abundance to fluctuate in association with short-term variability in test fishing catches. Higher than expected catches of Fraser sockeye in Johnstone Strait test fisheries over the past weekend and early this week resulted in increases in the run size estimates for some Fraser sockeye runs at the Panel meeting on August 21. However, sockeye catches in the marine area purse seine test fisheries have declined considerably over the past few days. Depending on catch and escapement levels over the weekend, further adjustments to runs sizes may be necessary next week. The proportion of pink salmon to sockeye salmon entering Johnstone Strait and Juan de Fuca Strait is building rapidly as the marine migration of sockeye declines and the marine migration of pink salmon through these areas increases.

The diversion rate of Fraser River sockeye through Johnstone Strait is currently estimated at 80%. Recent DNA analyses of sockeye sampled in marine area test fisheries have been quite variable but the average contributions have been approximately 10% Early Summer-run, 30% Summer-run, 15% Birkenhead and 45% true Late-run sockeye. The escapement of Fraser sockeye past Mission and observations of sockeye migrating past Hells Gate have generally been steady over the past week.

The marine migration of Early Summer-run sockeye has extended considerably longer than expected this season and consequently, at the meeting today the run size estimate for Early Summer-run sockeye was increased from 150,000 fish to 170,000 fish. The 50% migration timing of Early Summer-run sockeye is projected to have occurred on August 5, which is five days later than expected. The estimated escapement of Early Summer-run sockeye past Mission through August 23 is 121,000 fish.

At the meeting on August 21, the run size estimate of Summer-run sockeye was increased from 750,000 fish to 825,000 fish and the run size estimate was unchanged at the meeting today. Current timing assessments for Summer-run sockeye suggest that their 50% marine timing through Area 20 occurred on August 10, which is two days later than expected. The estimated escapement of Summer-run sockeye past Mission through August 23 is 496,000 fish.

At the meeting on August 21, the Panel increased the run size estimate for true Late-run sockeye from 600,000 fish to 800,000 fish (comprised of 600,000 Late Shuswap/Weaver sockeye and 200,000 Harrison sockeye). The run size estimate of true Late-run sockeye was unchanged at the meeting today. Assessments indicate that most Late-run sockeye are migrating directly into the Fraser River without delaying in the Strait of Georgia. As a result of lower run size assessments of Birkenhead sockeye, the Panel reduced the run size estimate from 227,000 fish (90% probability level forecast) to 150,000 fish at the meeting today. The estimated escapement of true Late-run sockeye and Birkenhead sockeye past Mission through August 23 is 271,000 fish and 51,000 fish, respectively.

DFO’s forecast of the 50% migration timing of Fraser River pink salmon through Area 20 is September 1 and the forecast of their diversion rate through Johnstone Strait this season is 39%. Test fishing catches of pink salmon by purse seines in both marine approach areas have shown a strong increase over the past week. The estimated diversion rate of Fraser River pink salmon through Johnstone Strait has decreased considerably since last week and it is presently estimated to be approximately 45%. Recent DNA analyses of pink salmon sampled from the Area 12 and 20 purse seine test fisheries have indicated average contributions of approximately 75% Fraser, 20% Washington, and 5% Canada South Coast (non-Fraser) stocks. Current assessments of the run size of Fraser River pink salmon are generally tracking the 50% probability level forecast of 19,570,000 fish, although a more accurate assessment of their abundance this season will not be possible until after their peak migration occurs through Juan de Fuca Strait. The apparently strong return of Fraser River pink salmon to-date this season is attributable in part to the large number of pink salmon juveniles produced in the 2005 brood year. An estimated 615,000,000 Fraser River pink salmon fry entered the Strait of Georgia in the spring of 2006, which is the third highest production of pink salmon fry from the Fraser River since at least 1961. It is possible that juvenile Fraser River pink salmon encountered more favorable marine survival conditions in 2006 than did four year old Fraser sockeye returning this season that entered the ocean in 2005. Fisheries directed at Fraser River pink salmon will take into account conservation concerns for other species and stocks.

On August 23, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 2,900 cms, which is near average for this date and the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 17.5 0C, which is slightly higher than average. Fraser River water temperatures are forecast to decrease to approximately 16.9 0C over the next week. At the meeting on August 21, after reviewing environmental and stock assessment information, the Panel approved an increase in the management adjustment factor for true Late-run sockeye from the pre-season estimate of 0.74 to 0.79 and at the meeting today it was changed back to 0.74. Management adjustments are employed to help achieve spawning escapement targets for Fraser River sockeye.

The escapement enumeration programs in the Early Stuart system are now complete and it appears that escapements will be considerably below brood year (2003) levels. Daily counts of Chilko sockeye at Henry’s Bridge increased substantially on August 22 when 1,145 Chilko sockeye were observed. Observers at the enumeration fence on Scotch Creek have counted over 5,200 sockeye past the fence through August 23, which already exceeds that estimated brood year escapement of almost 4,900 fish. Almost 500 sockeye have migrated into the Gates Creek Channel through August 22. As of August 22, the migration of Cultus Lake sockeye past the Sweltzer Creek enumeration fence totals 26 fish.

[Rodney]

<cont.>

The Panel announced the following regulations for Panel Area waters:

CANADIAN FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

Remain closed to fishing.

UNITED STATES FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

TREATY INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: Extended for drift gillnets for pink salmon from 12:00 p.m. (noon), Saturday, August 25, 2007 to 12:00 p.m. (noon) Wednesday, August 29, 2007.

Areas 6, 7, and 7A: Open to net fishing for pink salmon from 5:00 a.m., Sunday, August 26, 2007 to 9:00 p.m. Monday, August 27, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the Iwersen’s Dock on Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the Georgina Point Light at the entrance to Active Pass in the Province of British Columbia.

NON INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 7 and 7A: Open to gillnets for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye salmon from 8:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. (midnight) Tuesday, August 28, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

Areas 7 and 7A: Open to purse seines for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye salmon from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

Areas 7 and 7A: Open for reefnets for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye salmon from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, August 25, 2007, from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, August 26, 2007 and from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

(Note: U. S. Non-Treaty fishers should check the U.S. hotline and WDFW regulations before fishing as there are additional State of Washington regulations, including time restrictions that may be in effect).

The PSC reports daily test fishing catches of sockeye salmon on its recorded message at (604) 666-8200 and on the internet at: http://www.psc.org/info_testfishing_collections_2007.htm. In addition, Fraser River Panel news releases, fishery regulations, sockeye and pink salmon escapement data, and sockeye and pink salmon stock status reports will be available on this website.

United States fishing schedules during the season will be available for Treaty Indian fisheries through the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission at 1-800-562-6142. Non-Indian fishing schedules will be available through the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Hotline in Seattle at 1-888-858-9319. 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. Consult the appropriate regulatory agency regarding fisheries regulations pertaining to species other than sockeye and pink salmon in the Fraser River Panel Management Area.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 27. Periodic news releases in this series will be provided by the Panel through the Commission to inform those interested in the progress of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs.

Pacific Salmon Commission's news release

[Rodney]

August 27th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Monday, August 27 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Sockeye catches in the marine area purse seine test fisheries have been low over the past few days. At the meeting today the run size estimate for Early Summer-run sockeye remained at 170,000 fish, while the run size estimate for Summer-run sockeye of 825,000 fish was decreased to 700,000 fish. The Panel also approved a change in the run size estimate for true Late-run sockeye from 800,000 fish to 670,000 fish, which was comprised of 470,000 Late Shuswap, and Weaver sockeye and 200,000 Harrison sockeye. The run size estimate for Birkenhead sockeye of 150,000 was unchanged at the meeting today.

Test fishing catches of pink salmon in the marine assessment areas have been lower over the last two days. An in-season estimate of the abundance of Fraser River pink salmon will be provided after the expected peak marine migration timing through marine assessment areas later this week.

On August 26, the Fraser River discharge at Hope was about 2,700 cms, which is slightly below average for this date and the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 17.3 0C, which is 0.6 0C higher than average.

CANADIAN FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

Remain closed to fishing.

UNITED STATES FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

TREATY INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: As previously announced, extended for drift gillnets for pink salmon from 12:00 p.m. (noon), Saturday, August 25, 2007 to 12:00 p.m. (noon) Wednesday, August 29, 2007.

Areas 6, 7, and 7A: As previously announced, open to net fishing for pink salmon from 5:00 a.m., Sunday, August 26, 2007 to 9:00 p.m. Monday, August 27, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the Iwersen’s Dock on Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the Georgina Point Light at the entrance to Active Pass in the Province of British Columbia.
NON INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 7 and 7A: As previously announced, open to gillnets for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye salmon from 8:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. (midnight) Tuesday, August 28, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

Areas 7 and 7A: As previously announced, open to purse seines for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye salmon from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

Areas 7 and 7A: As previously announced, open for reefnets for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

(Note: U. S. Non-Treaty fishers should check the U.S. hotline and WDFW regulations before fishing as there are additional State of Washington regulations, including time restrictions that may be in effect).

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 28, 2007.

[Rodney]

August 27th, 2007

Pacific Salmon Commission's Fraser River Panel regulatory announcement

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 28 to receive an update on the status of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Sockeye catches in the marine area purse seine test fisheries have been low over the past few days. At the meeting today the run size estimates were unchanged: 170,000 Early Summer-run; 700,000 Summer-run; 150,000 Birkenhead, and 670,000 true Late-run sockeye. Some run sizes may be decreased at future Panel meetings if lower than expected numbers of sockeye migrate through marine and river assessment areas.

Test fishing catches of pink salmon in the marine assessment areas have also been generally lower in recent days. An in-season estimate of the abundance of Fraser River pink salmon will be provided after the expected peak marine migration timing through marine assessment areas later this week.

Fraser River discharge levels and water temperatures are presently satisfactory for the migration of sockeye.

CANADIAN FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

Remain closed to fishing.

UNITED STATES FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

TREATY INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: Extended for drift gillnets for pink salmon from 12:00 p.m. (noon) Wednesday, August 29, 2007 to 12:00 p.m. (noon) Saturday, September 1, 2007.

Areas 6, 7, and 7A: Open to net fishing for pink salmon from 5:00 a.m., Thursday, August 30, 2007 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the Iwersen’s Dock on Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the Georgina Point Light at the entrance to Active Pass in the Province of British Columbia.

NON INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 7 and 7A: Open to gillnets for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye salmon from 8:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. (midnight) Wednesday, August 29, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

Areas 7 and 7A: Open to purse seines for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye salmon from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

Areas 7 and 7A: Open for reefnets for pink salmon with non-retention of sockeye from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2007 southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the low water range marker in Boundary Bay on the International Boundary through the east tip of Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the East Point Light on Saturna Island in the Province of British Columbia.

(Note: U. S. Non-Treaty fishers should check the U.S. hotline and WDFW regulations before fishing as there are additional State of Washington regulations, including time restrictions that may be in effect).

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on August 31, 2007.