Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, July 28 to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser River sockeye runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.
The marine migration of Fraser River sockeye over the past several days continues to be much lower than expected. The run size estimate of 264,000 Early Summer-run sockeye was decreased to 150,000 fish at the meeting today. It is too early to provide an in-season run size estimate for Summer-run sockeye; however, similar to Early Summer-run sockeye, their abundance is currently tracking considerably lower than forecast unless their marine timing is later than expected.
On July 27 the Fraser River discharge at Hope was approximately 4,100 cms, which is 14% lower than average for this date, while the water temperature at Qualark Creek was 19.8 0C, which is 2.6 0C higher than average for this date. Fraser River water temperatures are forecast to reach 21.7 0C by August 5. If this forecasted water temperature occurs, it will be the highest Fraser River water temperature in the data-set spanning almost 100 years. Water temperatures exceeding 20 0C may cause high pre-spawning mortality of Fraser River sockeye. 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, 2009.