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[fic]

Any idea when most of the Fraser sockeye finish migrating? 

[wildmanyeah]

Fishery Notice
Category(s): ABORIGINAL - General Information
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject: FN0741-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - July 28, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met on Friday, July 28 to receive an update on the
migration of the Fraser sockeye and pink runs to date and review the status of
migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.   

Gill net test fishing catches remain very poor in Area 12 but improved
substantially in Area 20 yesterday.  Conversely, purse seine test fishing
catches improved substantially in Area 12 while Area 20 showed only modest
increases yesterday. In-river gill net test catches have continued to be very
poor since testing began in early July.

Stock identification information continues to show a decline in the proportion
of Early Stuart sockeye in all areas with Summer run stocks now dominating the
stock proportion in all marine areas. In-river stock identification information
is highly uncertain as sample size has been extremely low. The first
observation of late run stocks occurred in Area 20 on July 26.

Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates have continued to be very low
ranging from 1,300 to 4,500 over the past several days. The total estimated
sockeye escapement as of July 27 is 80,600. Hell's Gate observations continue
to be extremely low in recent days.

During today's Panel call, the start-up of the purse seine test fishery in Area
13 was confirmed for Monday, July 31. Based on the gill net and seine test
fishery catches in Areas 12 and 20, the diversion rate through Johnstone Strait
has increased to 32% which remains below the pre-season predicted rate of 51%
for the entire season.

The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine test fisheries show sockeye
stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 2% Early Stuart, 30% Early
Summer,  67% Summer and 1% Late run stocks. In Area 12 the stock composition
was 0% Early Stuart, 22% Early Summer, 78% Summer and 0% Late run stocks.

During the call today, the Fraser Panel made no changes to the Early Stuart run
size of 50,000 with an Area 20 peak run timing of July 3. The estimated
escapement past Mission of Early Stuart sockeye as of July 27 is 43,900 fish.

Early Summer run stocks continue to track well below the p25 forecast of
166,000 with some of the later timed stocks in this group just beginning to
show in recent marine test fisheries samples. During the Panel call today the
decision was made to remain at the provisional run size for Early Summers of
166,000 (p25 forecast) that was adopted at Tuesdays meeting. It is anticipated
that a further reduction to the Early summer run size is likely to occur at
next Tuesdays meeting. At this run size there is no TAC available and as such
no sockeye directed fisheries are being considered at this time.

Summer run stocks are also tracking well below the p25 forecast level, however,
it is far too early to make any run size modifications at this time. The
estimated escapement of Early Summer-run and Summer-run sockeye past Mission
through July 27 is only 25,300 and 11,400 respectively. Both are well below the
expected levels for this date.

On July 27, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 3,280 m3/s, which is
approximately 29% lower than average for this date. The water temperature of
the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 27 increased to 18.6°C due largely to
warming air temperatures in recent days and is 0.7°C higher than average for
this date. The forecast is for water temperatures to increase to 19.9°C by
August 2. Due to the very low discharge levels, water temperatures are highly
influenced by air temperatures.

For pre-season planning purposes the Fraser Panel had adopted management
adjustments (MA) for Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye that reflect the
forecast water temperature and discharge conditions based on the May and June
information for Early Summer and Summer run sockeye, and anticipated river
entry dates for Late run fish. Due to the very poor return of Early Summer run
stocks they are now being managed based on a Low Abundance Exploitation Rate
(LAER) approach and as such there will be no modifications to the in-season MA
for this group. Management adjustments are additional fish that are set aside
from identified harvest levels and allowed to migrate upstream in an attempt to
assist in achievement of identified spawner objectives for the different run
timing groups. In-season information in the coming weeks will help to inform
future decisions on management adjustments for the Summer management group
while the Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run management groups will be
managed based on the respective LAER for each group (10% for Early Stuart and
Early Summers and 20% for Lates). There will be no in-season estimates of
management adjustment for Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run groups in
2017.

First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) sockeye fisheries have been
restricted by a 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart and the earliest
timed Early Summer run stocks with limited fishing opportunities to date
directed at chinook salmon. Due to the apparent later than average run timing
and/or weakness in the returns of Early Summer and Summer run stocks, the start-
up of sockeye directed FSC fisheries will continue to be delayed until there is
an identification of TAC for Early Summer and/or Summer run sockeye.

FSC fishers in marine approach areas as well as the Fraser River are requested
to check for the opening times and any restrictions in their local area.

Given the low returns to date there are no fisheries directed upon Fraser River
sockeye scheduled at this time, and updates will continue to be provided
following meetings of the Fraser River Panel on Tuesdays and Fridays of each
week.

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on
Tuesday, August 1, 2017.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0741
Sent July 28, 2017 at 1527

[wildmanyeah]

Any idea when most of the Fraser sockeye finish migrating?

http://www.psc.org/download/469/2017/8327/july-14-2017-2.pdf

Fraser river mouth is about 1 week behind Area 20 run timing.  Estimated peak run is around august 10th, fraser would be around August 25. They will still be in the fraser well into september. 

My best guess is the fraser won't be open till september 1st, maybe 15 days earlier if the late run sockeye numbers are good and they won't have to be manage to Low Abundance Exploitation Rate (LAER).  Meaning they don't care about sockeye being incidentally caught in pink,chinook fisheries. 

[RalphH]

late August September is mostly Adams River and Weaver creek fish. It's become normal to close the river after Labour Day to salmon fishing until the 2nd week of September or so. Most of the summer fish (Horsefly, Chicotin etc) and usually passed Hope by the end of August. In odd # years it's usually open to pink salmon. For the most part Pinks aren't available in good numbers until the end of August. I think they have also had closures above Agassiz Bridge and other approaches. We will have to wait and see what they do as the end of August approaches.

[wildmanyeah]

Next week is suppose to be supper hot, What's the over and under odds of dead sockeye floating down the river next week?

[Birkenhead]

Next week is suppose to be supper hot, What's the over and under odds of dead sockeye floating down the river next week?

Already seen what sure looked to be dead Sockeye on the north side of the Fraser just up river of the Port Mann boat launch a few days ago. Did not see any today.

[Dave]

If the temperature reaches into the low 20's ( as could easily happen) expect floaters.

[RalphH]

it's really very common.

[armytruck]

Just a little something I found surfin.

State sold out Western Alaska on salmon bycatch issue
by George Pletnikoff

August 25, 2009

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It has now been almost three months since the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) took on the serious issue of chinook (king) salmon by catch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. The result of the vote on a motion made by the State of Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), is misguided. As it happens, this is one of the last decisions made by our former Governor Sarah Palin before she left office. The problem is the pollock fishery in the Bering Sea is a one billion dollar a year fishery. While they are fishing for pollock, dragging huge nets behind their factory ships, they also catch other fish other than pollock.

In this case, they catch chinook salmon, many of which are heading for Western Alaska rivers and streams, as by catch. Between 1990-2001, an average of 37,819 chinook salmon and 69,332 other salmon were caught annually in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. Governor Palin's motion said the pollock industry should be allowed to catch up to 68,000 chinook which was later lowered to 60,000 fish per year. This amount is almost double the eleven year average cited above! You can get more information about this serious problem by Googling the NPFMC if you wish. What I am wondering in this short paper is given there are representatives from the States of Washington and Oregon, as well as others, on the NPFMC, and given that most of the pollock fishing companies are from Washington, why would the State of Alaska make such a motion which negatively impacts the Citizens of the State she is supposed to represent? And make a motion that would increase the chinook salmon by catch amount to almost twice the amount of what was caught in this fishery, from a eleven year average of 37,819 to 60,000 fish?

We should make no mistake that the elected government officials of our State must do all they can to represent the people, all the people of our State. And those who are appointed to important positions, representing our elected government officials, must also do the same. We are requesting a review of this motion, passed by the NPFMC unanimously, by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, a very popular former Governor of the State of Washington, where many of these pollock fishers reside, so that the needs of the people of Alaska can be fairly represented and that a lower number of chinook salmon by catch can be put into place. We hope that the Secretary will take a serious look at this most serious problem. Just this summer alone, many of our people have been denied keeping a chinook salmon when caught for subsistence use.

Recently some of our people in Western Alaska went ahead and fished for salmon for food against an ADF&G closure in their waters. The elected officials of our State are to do all that they can to represent all the Citizens of the State of Alaska and not the interests of large fishing companies from other parts of our Country. It seems our former Governor has done exactly the opposite. No doubt the pollock fishers need to work and provide for their families. So do our people in Alaska. Now the NPFMC will be taking on the issue of Chum salmon by catch in the next few months. Lets hope our elected people will do all they can to represent Alaska and the Citizens who are dependent upon these fish to feed our families. After all we elected them to do just that!

By George Pletnikoff

[wildmanyeah]

Subject: FN0759-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - August 1, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met on Tuesday, August 1 to receive an update on the
migration of the Fraser sockeye and pink runs to date and review the status of
migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.   

Gill net test fishing catches remain very poor in Area 12 but have fluctuated
considerably in Area 20 in recent days while purse seine test catches have been
improving in Area 12 and declining in Area 20. The Area 13 purse seine test
fishery began on July 31 with a modest catch in the first day of operation. The
combination of the gill net and purse seine test catches in the two approach
areas has resulted in an increase in the projected diversion rate through
Johnstone Strait to 38% which remains below the pre-season forecast of 51%.

In-river gill net test catches have been mixed with Whonnock having extremely
low catches since testing began in early July and Cottonwood having increased
catches in recent days.

Stock identification information is currently indicating that Early Stuart
sockeye have cleared the marine and lower Fraser River test fishing areas. The
most recent DNA samples taken in the marine purse seine test fisheries show
sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 0% Early Stuart, 13%
Early Summer, 85% Summer and 2% Late run stocks. In Area 12, the purse seine
stock composition was 0% Early Stuart, 21% Early Summer, 78% Summer and 1% Late
run stocks. In-river stock identification information remains highly uncertain
as sample sizes have been extremely low.

Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates have increased in recent days
with the largest daily escapement estimate to date being 12,400 on July 31. The
total estimated sockeye escapement as of July 31 is 119,300. Hell's Gate
observations continue to be extremely low in recent days.

During the call today, the Fraser Panel made no changes to the Early Stuart or
Early Summer run sizes of 50,000 and 166,000 respectively. The estimated
escapement past Mission of Early Stuart, Early Summer and Summer run sockeye as
of July 31 is 44,600, 39,500 and 35,200 fish respectively.

At the current run size for Early Summer run sockeye there is no TAC available
and as such no sockeye directed fisheries are being considered at this time. In
addition Summer run stocks continue to track well below the p25 forecast level,
however, it is too early to make any run size modifications at this time.

On July 31, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 3,045 m3/s, which is
approximately 30% lower than average for this date. The water temperature of
the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 31 increased to 18.7°C which is 0.7°C
higher than average for this date. The forecast is for water temperatures to
increase to 19.9°C by August 6. Due to the very low discharge levels, water
temperatures are highly influenced by air temperatures.

For pre-season planning purposes the Fraser Panel had adopted management
adjustments (MA) for Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye that reflect the
forecast water temperature and discharge conditions based on the May and June
information for Early Summer and Summer run sockeye, and anticipated river
entry dates for Late run fish. Due to the very poor return of Early Summer run
stocks they are now being managed based on a Low Abundance Exploitation Rate
(LAER) limit and as such there will be no modifications to the in-season MA for
this group. Management adjustments are additional fish that are set aside from
identified harvest levels and allowed to migrate upstream in an attempt to
assist in achievement of identified spawner objectives for the different run
timing groups. In-season information in the coming weeks will help to inform
future decisions on management adjustments for the Summer management group
while the Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run management groups will be
managed based on the respective LAER for each group (10% for Early Stuart and
Early Summers and 20% for Lates). There will be no in-season estimates of
management adjustment for Early Stuart, Early Summer and Late run groups in
2017.

At this time it is too early to assess the return of Fraser pink salmon. Recent
test fishery catches in the marine approach areas have shown increasing
abundances of pink salmon. The first stock ID samples analyzed for Areas 12 and
20 purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin pink salmon comprise 24
and 16 percent respectively. Run size and timing updates for Fraser pinks will
likely begin in mid to late August.

First Nations food, social and ceremonial (FSC) sockeye fisheries have been
restricted by a 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart and the earliest
timed Early Summer run stocks with limited fishing opportunities to date
directed at chinook salmon. Due to the apparent later than average run timing
and/or weakness in the returns of Early Summer and Summer run stocks, the start-
up of sockeye directed FSC fisheries will continue to be delayed until there is
an identification of TAC for Early Summer and/or Summer run sockeye.

FSC fishers in marine approach areas as well as the Fraser River are requested
to check for the opening times and any restrictions in their local area.

Given the low returns to date there are no fisheries directed upon Fraser River
sockeye scheduled at this time, and updates will continue to be provided
following meetings of the Fraser River Panel on Tuesdays and Fridays of each
week.

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on
Friday, August 4, 2017.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0759
Sent August 1, 2017 at 1554

[Rodney]

Tuesday, August 1st, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 1st to receive an update on the migration of Fraser River sockeye and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Daily test fishing catches and escapements continue to track below the pre-season median forecast level of abundance. At the meeting today, the run size estimate of 166,000 for the Early Summer run with a marine timing through Area 20 of July 20 was unchanged. Consequently, no sockeye directed fisheries are being planned by either country. Harrison, Late Stuart / Stellako, and Chilko / Quesnel sockeye currently comprise most of the sockeye presently migrating through the Juan de Fuca Strait assessment route. Assessments of Summer-run sockeye abundance should be available in August after their peak migration through marine assessment areas.

On July 31st the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was 3,045cms, which is approximately 30% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 31st was 18.70C, which is 0.70C higher than average for this date. 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.

All Panel Area waters remain closed to commercial salmon fishing.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Friday, August 4th, 2017.

http://www.psc.org/download/468/2017/9267/aug-1-2017.pdf

[300zxfairlady]

Tuesday, August 1st, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 1st to receive an update on the migration of Fraser River sockeye and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Daily test fishing catches and escapements continue to track below the pre-season median forecast level of abundance. At the meeting today, the run size estimate of 166,000 for the Early Summer run with a marine timing through Area 20 of July 20 was unchanged. Consequently, no sockeye directed fisheries are being planned by either country. Harrison, Late Stuart / Stellako, and Chilko / Quesnel sockeye currently comprise most of the sockeye presently migrating through the Juan de Fuca Strait assessment route. Assessments of Summer-run sockeye abundance should be available in August after their peak migration through marine assessment areas.

On July 31st the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was 3,045cms, which is approximately 30% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on July 31st was 18.70C, which is 0.70C higher than average for this date. 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.

All Panel Area waters remain closed to commercial salmon fishing.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Friday, August 4th, 2017.

http://www.psc.org/download/468/2017/9267/aug-1-2017.pdf

With the snow pack from this winter.. water levels are 30% lower than avg? I guess time to say goodbye to the future of BC salmon fishing..

[Flytech]

With the snow pack from this winter.. water levels are 30% lower than avg? I guess time to say goodbye to the future of BC salmon fishing..

100%. It is the beginning of the end.

[dennisK]

With the snow pack from this winter.. water levels are 30% lower than avg? I guess time to say goodbye to the future of BC salmon fishing..

Hold on there. The snow pack was CRAZY big this past winter. Small streams have been flowing like bigs ones in unbelievable ways. I was just kayaking the mouth of the fraser and it's higher then I've seen it in 20 years. I'd say that water levels are 30% HIGHER then average.

http://cfjctoday.com/article/570501/new-bc-snowpack-numbers-stoke-flood-fears

New BC snowpack numbers stoke flood fears

[RalphH]

most of this winter's snow pack is long gone after the early & hot start to summer. We did have some floods in the Province this year withing a month or so after the date of your link. Levels at the mouth are hardly relative to discharge rates at Hope. Much of the river below Chilliwack is influenced by tides and the level you will observe depends on the tide levels at the time.