The 2nd year of a three year study into the Sockeye catch & release hook mortality study has now been completed. The Raw Data (not yet official) shows In wk # 1--106 sockeye were caught & after 24 hrs released from the holding pen -- 2 mortalities------ In wk # 2--
155 caught --- 3 mortalities , In wk # 3-- 34 caught -- O(zero) mortalities TOTAL for 2009 = 295 caught-- 5 mort or 1.7% of total catch combined with 173 caught last year and 1 hook mortality& 1 Seal bit mortality (2) Means ----468 sockeye caught with 6 dead = --1.28% for both years. Even with the DFO estimated total catch & release of Fraser River Sockeye Aug 1 to Aug 16 count of 12,800 fish during the Chinook Sport Fishery, That still works out to 164 fish or 1.28% ! Sure doesn't look to Me like we, the sports fishers , are decimating the Sockeye fishery in the Fraser. Wonder what the next scapegoat for DFO will be ?-- Cheers --Tight lines/sharp hooks