Monday, July 29, 2013
The Fraser River Panel met Monday, July 29 to receive an update on the migration of Fraser sockeye and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.
The migration of Fraser River sockeye through the marine assessment areas has been modest over the past few days. At the meeting today the Panel approved a run size estimate of 400,000 Early Summer-run sockeye, while the run size estimate for Early Stuart sockeye of 180,000 fish was unchanged. The 50% marine timing of Early Summer-run sockeye through Area 20 is estimated to be July 21, which is two days earlier than expected. Current assessments suggest that the marine timing of Summer-run sockeye may be later than expected, unless their return abundance is lower than forecast. An assessment of how their abundance is tracking relative to the forecast should be available by next week.
On July 28, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 3,750 cms, which is approximately 21% lower than average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 28 was 19.7C, which is 2.3C higher than average for this date. Sustained exposure of sockeye to Fraser River water temperatures in this range may slow their migration and cause elevated levels of pre-spawning mortality.
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: Open to drift gillnets 12:00 p.m. (noon), Tuesday, July 30, 2013, to 12:00 p.m. (noon) Saturday, August 3, 2013.
ALL CITIZEN FISHERY:
Remains closed to fishing.
(Note: U. S. All Citizen 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 Friday, August 2, 2013.