currently the Fraser River provision estimate for commercial fisheries that have started in US waters is 3.8 million.
We may get a run size projection on Tuesday but my guess it will be less than 6 million.
Test fishery catches of pink salmon in the two approach areas have been
fluctuating at lower levels in recent days consistent with the previous
indications that the return of Fraser pink salmon is well below the p50
forecast of 8.7 million however, it remains too early to adopt a formal run
size change as the median 50% run timing date is August 28. For fisheries
planning purposes the Panel used a conservative run size of 3.8 million Fraser
pink salmon for planning US fisheries during the later portion of this week.
The most recent pink stock identification samples analyzed for Areas 12 and 20
purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin pink salmon comprise 51% and
68%, respectively. Based on the most recent purse seine test catches the
estimated diversion rate through Johnstone Strait for Fraser pink salmon has
decreased to 37% compared to the historical median of 50%. Run size and timing
updates for Fraser pinks are likely to be made in the coming weeks.