Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 11 to receive an update on the migration of the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon runs and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.
Test fishing catches of sockeye continued to track far below expectations over the last several days. At the meeting today, the run size estimate for Early Summer-run sockeye of 150,000 fish was increased to 175,000 fish, with 50% migration timing through Area 20 of July 30, which is four days later than expected. There is still uncertainty in assessments of Summerrun sockeye abundance; however at the meeting today, the Panel adopted a run size estimate of 600,000 Summer-run sockeye, which is far below their 90% probability level forecast of 2,858,000 fish. The estimated 50% migration timing of Summer-run sockeye through Area 20 is August 4, which is one day earlier than expected. The Panel also adopted a run size estimate of 125,000 Harrison Late-run sockeye at the meeting today, which is nearly double their 50% probability level forecast of 69,000 fish. It is too early to provide an update on the run size of non-Harrison Late-run sockeye, however, the proportion of Weaver Creek sockeye in DNA samples has been increasing over the past few days.
Test fishing catches of pink salmon through the marine approach routes have been at modest levels over the past several days. An assessment on the run size of Fraser River pink salmon should be available within approximately two weeks. Migration conditions for sockeye entering the Fraser River have improved over the past week. On August 10 the Fraser River water temperature at Qualark Creek was 18.8 0C, which is 1.1 0C higher than average for this date. Water temperatures in this range may stress migrating sockeye and slow their upstream migration.
Due to the low abundance of Fraser sockeye thus far this season, there have been no directed commercial fisheries for 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 August 14, 2009.
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Topic: 2009 Fraser River sockeye updates (Read 102659 times)