Ongoing updates will be posted throughout the summer. The Fraser River is closed for salmon fishing until July 15th.
June 17th, 2010's update by Fisheries and Oceans Canadahttp://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/fns/index.cfm?pg=view_notice&lang=en&DOC_ID=125258&ID=recreationalThe potential for low spawning escapements of Spring and Summer (age 5-2) Fraser Chinook has been identified as a potential concern for 2010. To ensure fishery management objectives are achieved, the Department bases fishery management actions on whether in season estimated returns are less than 30,000 (zone 1), less than 60,000 (zone 2), or greater than 60,000 (zone 3). Management actions in each zone range from closures or fishery restrictions (zone 1), non-retention or limited directed fisheries (zone 2), or directed fisheries (zone 3). Pre-season planning was based on a return less than 30,000 given the potential for poor marine survival rates to have affected returns.
In season estimates of the return of Spring and Summer (age 5-2) chinook to the Fraser River are based on the relationship between historical returns and cumulative catch per unit effort (CPUE) at the Albion chinook test fishery for the statistical weeks beginning in May through the second week in June. The cumulative CPUE in 2010 is slightly higher than the previous 2 years but lower than the historical average. Weekly point estimates of Fraser Spring and Summer (age 5-2) chinook returns during this time period have ranged from approximately 56,000 to 67,000 chinook.
Given the uncertainty about the in season estimated return to the Fraser River, the Department plans to implement management actions consistent with zone 2 after July 15, 2010. Specific management actions announced previously to protect Fraser Spring 4-2 chinook (see FN0346 and FN0347) will remain in effect until July 15, 2010 when greater than 70% of the Spring 4-2 chinook run has entered the Fraser. Actions for Fraser Spring and Summer (age 5-2) chinook after July 15th will be announced in a separate fishery notice.
Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line at (800) 465-4336.
For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-(866) 431-FISH or in Vancouver area: 604-666-2828.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the local DFO office in your area for further information.
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0440
Sent June 17, 2010 at 1028
June 29th, 2010's regulatory announcement by Fraser River Panel of Pacific Salmon Commissionhttp://www.psc.org/NewsRel/2010/Announcement01.pdfThe Fraser River Panel met on Tuesday, June 29 to receive an update on the migration of Early Stuart sockeye and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.
It is too early in the marine migration of Early Stuart sockeye to provide estimates of their run size or timing. However, the assessed abundance of Early Stuart sockeye to-date is consistent with their forecast abundance. Migration conditions for sockeye entering the Fraser River are presently satisfactory. The discharge of the Fraser River at Hope on June 28 was 5,900 cms, which is approximately 9% lower than average for this date. The water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on June 28 was 14.9 0 C, which is just 0.1 0 C warmer than average for this date.
The lower than normal snowpack levels in the Fraser River watershed are projected to result in lower than normal flows in 2010, which may result in periodic high water temperatures in the Fraser River this summer. Fraser River discharge levels and water temperatures will be monitored closely to determine if specific management actions are required during the in-river migratory period to help achieve sockeye escapement goals.
time.
All commercial fisheries in Panel Area waters remain closed to fishing at the present
The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on July 6, 2010.