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[Easywater]

The "Panel" is run by the Pacific Salmon Commission (psc.org in the link).

It is made up of select people from BC and Washington state and the Panel Area is both BC and Washington (could go further south too).

http://www.psc.org/about-us/

These reports are specific to Sockeye salmon and to some extent, pink salmon.

There's plenty of Chinook commercial fishing going on and there will probably be pink and Chum commercial fishing in the Fraser in the coming months. I believe there may have been a commercial Sockeye opening in Barkley Sound.

[Rodney]

Friday, August 18th, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 18th to receive an update on the migration of Fraser River sockeye and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches and daily escapements continue to track below pre-season expectations. The Fraser River Panel adopted an Early Summer run size of 150,000 with marine timing through Area 20 of August 2nd. Summer-run stocks currently comprise most of the sockeye migrating through the Juan de Fuca Strait and Johnstone Strait, but the daily abundance of the Summer run is tracking below median forecast levels. At the meeting today, the currently adopted Summer-run run size of 1,250,000, with marine timing through Area 20 of August 14th, was left unchanged. Daily abundances of Late-run sockeye are also tracking below their median forecast levels, and the Panel adopted the p25 forecast of 247,000 for the Late-run run size with marine timing of Aug. 18th. Consequently, no sockeye directed fisheries are being planned by either country.

On August 17th the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was 2,505 m3/s, which is approximately 23% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 17th was 19.00C, which is 0.90C 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 Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017.

http://www.psc.org/download/468/2017/9289/aug-18-2017.pdf

[wildmanyeah]

Subject: FN0836-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - August 18, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met on Friday, August 18 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.   

In-river gill net test catches of sockeye have been consistent at low to
moderate levels for several days while purse seine test catches in Areas 12 and
20 have increased over the past week with the exception of yesterday when
catches declined in both areas. The purse seine test catches in the two
approach areas has resulted in a slight increase in the projected sockeye
diversion rate through Johnstone Strait to 78% compared to the pre-season
forecast of 51%.

The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine purse seine test fisheries show
sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 2% Early Summer, 71%
Summer and 27% Late run stocks. In Area 12, the purse seine stock composition
was 6% Early Summer, 70% Summer and 23% Late run stocks. The decrease in
proportion of Early Summer run stocks combined with the continuation of summer
run stocks and increase in the proportion of Late run stocks is suggesting that
the total return of Fraser sockeye may have later than normal run timing. The
most recent in-river stock identification samples from the Whonnock test
fishery are showing stock proportions of 8% Early Summer, 83% Summer and 9%
Late run stocks.

Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates of sockeye have increased in
recent days ranging between 30,400 and 56,900. The total estimated sockeye
escapement as of August 17 is 707,900. Hell's Gate observations have continued
to increase in recent days.

During the call today, the Fraser Panel increased the run size for Early Summer
run sockeye to 150,000 with August 2 timing, due to recent increases in the
abundance of Pitt and early Thompson stocks. No changes were made to the run
size for Early Stuart and Summer run stocks while a provisional run size of
247,000 was adopted for Late run sockeye with a timing of August 18. At the
current run size for Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye, there is no TAC
available and as such only fisheries with minimal impact on sockeye are being
considered at this time. The estimated escapement past Mission of Early Stuart,
Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye as of August 17 is 46,400, 128,900
and 495,300 and 37,300 fish, respectively.

On August 17, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 2,505 cubic metres
per second, which is approximately 23% lower than average for this date. The
water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 17 decreased
to 19° Celsius which is 0.9° Celsius higher than average for this date. The
forecast is for water temperatures to decrease to 18.7° Celsius by August 23 as
cooler air temperatures combined with precipitation is forecast in the coming
days. 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 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 and
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 management adjustments 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. No in-season changes to
the management adjustment are expected for Early Stuart, Early Summer, Summer
and Late run groups in 2017.

At this time the return of Fraser pink salmon is looking to be either early,
larger than forecast or both. Recent test fishery catches in the marine
approach areas have shown increasing abundances of pink salmon primarily in the
Johnstone Strait area. The most recent stock identification samples analyzed
for Areas 12 and 20 purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin pink
salmon comprise 30% and 44%, respectively. Based on the most recent purse seine
test catches the estimated diversion rate through Johnstone Strait for Fraser
pink salmon is estimated to be 44% compared to the historical median of 50%.
Run size and timing updates for Fraser pinks are likely to be made in the
coming weeks.

Earlier in the season First Nations food, social and ceremonial sockeye
fisheries were restricted by a 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart
and the earliest timed Early Summer run stocks with limited fishing
opportunities in-river directed at Chinook salmon. These Chinook directed
fisheries are continuing to occur on a weekly basis for the near future in both
the lower and mid-river fishing areas up to Lillooet and in portions of the
Thompson River drainage. Areas in the Fraser River upstream of Lillooet have
been severely impacted by the numerous forest fires this season which have
prevented many First Nations from any fishing to date. As a result the
department is allowing for limited sockeye directed fishing opportunities for a
modest number of sockeye in a number of locations as no other species of salmon
are available for harvest in these areas. In inside coastal waters, very little
fishing has occurred in areas where Fraser sockeye are prevalent as sockeye non-
retention restrictions have been in place since the beginning of the season.
Earlier this week an 18 hour opening was scheduled in marine areas directed at
pink, chum and Chinook salmon with retention of dead sockeye permitted. In this
fishery all efforts were to be made to release sockeye alive and unharmed (see
FN0819 for details). Sockeye encountered and kept or released in all these
fisheries are accounted for as part of the Low Abundance Exploitation Rate.

Food, social and ceremonial 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.

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on
Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

[wildmanyeah]

Mid-Season BC Salmon Update
Posted by Trish Hall on August 15, 2017
By Greg Taylor, Senior Fisheries Advisor

https://www.watershed-watch.org/2017/08/mid-season-bc-salmon-update/?sp_ref=328601276.392.182716.f.0.2

[fisherforever]

It's pretty clear which (2) Sectors of the Fishing Community are Causing the MOST IMPACT on the SALMON. (Out side of Environmental issues)

1) Commercial
2) FN

* They continue to SCAPEGOAT / BULLY the RECREATIONAL FISHERMAN.  Easy Enforcement.....
   
So nice this site has an Ignore member feature, you can find it under your profile!

Excerpts:

As mentioned previously, DFO may have been too aggressive in allowing net fishing openings for pink salmon in Area 3 (near the mouth of the Nass River) and Area 6 (Douglas Channel and outside waters), especially with evidence of poor catches in its own fisheries, and terrible pink harvests just north of the border in Southern SE Alaska, at hand. When a very small fleet, comprised of some of BC’s best seine fishermen, struggle to half-load their boats, it is pretty good evidence that there is not many fish around.

------


DFO has not taken similar direct coastwide action to protect BC’s wild chinook salmon. Under duress from First Nations’ legal action, and the threat of additional legal action, they have only promised to initiate a review of their management of Fraser chinook.

Monitoring and Enforcement

Last season, DFO’s Conservation & Protection (C&P) Division made significant efforts to enforce compliance with commercial fishing regulations. Controversy erupted in Prince Rupert after C&P found flagrant disregard of the requirement to release salmon species of conservation concern “to the water with the least possible harm.” Fishermen argued their ability to earn a living was being eroded in favour of conservation.

Industry’s argument appears to have prevailed in 2017. There is little C&P presence on the water. C&P argues (and there is no denying it) that they do not have the resources to monitor and enforce commercial fisheries. C&P is mandated to employ an industry funded at-sea monitoring program that uses independent third-party observers. The at-sea observer program was promised in this year’s fishing plan yet numerous fisheries have been authorized throughout the north and central coasts without an effective monitoring or enforcement presence.

Some form of industry funded observer or other fishery independent monitoring presence is standard practice in most non-salmon commercial fisheries, even in BC. The lack of effective monitoring or enforcement in BC’s salmon fisheries, where DFO requires the discarding of salmon populations of conservation concern, speaks either to the political power of the recreational and commercial fishing lobbies; a lack of political leadership when it comes to managing Pacific salmon fisheries in the public interest; that managers are ‘captured’ by their clients rather than the public interest; or Conservation and Protection is not honouring their mandate. Likely, it is some combination of the above factors.

[wildmanyeah]

FN catch to date for Lower Fraser

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/fraser/abor-autoc-eng.html


http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fraserriver/firstnations/PDFs/ChinookKeptCatch.pdf

http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fraserriver/firstnations/PDFs/SockeyeKeptCatch.pdf

[Rodney]

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met Tuesday, August 22nd to receive an update on the migration of Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches and daily escapements continue to track below pre-season expectations. Summer-run stocks currently comprise most of the sockeye migrating through the Juan de Fuca Strait and Johnstone Strait, but estimates of Late-run proportions are increasing. The daily abundance of Summer-run sockeye continues to track below median forecast levels. At the meeting today, the currently adopted Summer-run run size of 1,250,000, with marine timing through Area 20 of August 14th, remained unchanged. Daily abundances of Late-run sockeye are also tracking below their median forecast levels, and the currently adopted Late-run run size of 247,000, with marine timing of Aug. 18th, was left unchanged.

On August 21st the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was 2,151 m3/s, which is approximately 28% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 21st was 18.10C, which is 0.30C 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 and pink salmon escapement goals.

CANADIAN FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

Remain closed to Commercial salmon fisheries.

UNITED STATES FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

TREATY INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: Open drift gillnets 12:00 p.m. (noon), Wednesday, August 23, 2017, through 12:00 p.m. (noon), Saturday, August 26, 2017. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

Areas 6/7/7A: Open to reef nets 5:00 am – 9pm, Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 5:00 am – 9pm, Thursday, August 24, and 5:00 am – 9pm, Friday August 25, 2017. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Friday, August 25th, 2017.

http://www.psc.org/download/468/2017/9292/aug-22-2017.pdf

[wildmanyeah]

Subject: FN0849-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - August 22, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met on Tuesday, August 22 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.   

In-river gill net test catches of sockeye have fluctuated in recent days while
purse seine test catches in Areas 12 and 20 have decreased considerably over
the past 5 days. The purse seine test catches in the two approach areas has
resulted in a slight increase in the projected sockeye diversion rate through
Johnstone Strait to 81% compared to the pre-season forecast of 51%.

The most recent DNA samples taken in the marine purse seine test fisheries show
sockeye stock compositions in Area 20 of approximately 3% Early Summer, 67%
Summer and 30% Late run stocks. In Area 12, the purse seine stock composition
was 3% Early Summer, 55% Summer and 42% Late run stocks. The decrease in
proportion of Early Summer run stocks combined with the increase in the
proportion of Late run stocks continues to indicate the total return of Fraser
sockeye is later than normal run timing. The most recent in-river stock
identification samples from the Whonnock test fishery are showing stock
proportions of 2% Early Summer, 82% Summer and 16% Late run stocks.

Daily Mission hydroacoustics escapement estimates of sockeye continue to
increase ranging between 46,400 and 76,000 during the most recent 5 days
period.  The total estimated sockeye escapement as of August 21 is 7981,700.
Hell's Gate observations have fluctuated considerably in recent days.

During the call today no changes were made to the run size for any of the run
timing groups although the summer run is currently tracking slightly lower than
the current adopted run size of 1.25 million.  At the current run size for
Early Summer, Summer and Late run sockeye, there is no TAC available and as
such only fisheries with minimal impact on sockeye are being considered at this
time. The estimated escapement past Mission of Early Stuart, Early Summer,
Summer and Late run sockeye as of August 21 is 46,400, 143,100 and 732,000 and
60,200 fish, respectively.

On August 21, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was 2,151 cubic metres
per second, which is approximately 28% lower than average for this date. The
water temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 21 decreased
to 18.1° Celsius which is 0.3° Celsius higher than average for this date. The
forecast is for water temperatures to decrease to 17.9° Celsius by August 27.
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 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 and
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 management adjustments 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.  No in-season changes
to the management adjustment are expected for Early Stuart, Early Summer,
Summer and Late run groups in 2017.

Recent declines in the test fishery catches in the two approach areas is
suggesting that the return of Fraser pink salmon may be less than the p50
however it remains too early to adopt a formal run size change as the forecast
50% run timing date is August 28. The most recent 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 increased to 51% compared to the historical median of
50%. Run size and timing updates for Fraser pinks are likely to be made in the
coming weeks.

Earlier in the season First Nations food, social and ceremonial sockeye
fisheries were restricted by a 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart
and the earliest timed Early Summer run stocks with limited fishing
opportunities in-river directed at Chinook salmon. These Chinook directed
fisheries may continue to occur on a weekly basis for the near future in both
the lower and mid-river fishing areas up to Lillooet and in portions of the
Thompson River drainage, until the coho window closure comes into effect. Areas
in the Fraser River upstream of Lillooet have been severely impacted by the
numerous forest fires this season which have prevented many First Nations from
any fishing to date. As a result the department is allowing for limited sockeye
directed fishing opportunities for a modest number of sockeye in a number of
locations as no other species of salmon are available for harvest in these
areas.  In inside coastal waters, an 18 hour opportunity to retain dead sockeye
was permitted last week in marine areas in FSC fisheries directed at pink, chum
and chinook salmon. Sockeye encountered and kept or released in all these
fisheries are accounted for as part of the Low Abundance Exploitation Rate.

Food, social and ceremonial 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.

The next in-season meeting of the Fraser River Panel is scheduled to occur on
Friday, August 25, 2017.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Nener 604-666-0789

[obie1fish]

 "The decrease in proportion of Early Summer run stocks combined with the increase in the
proportion of Late run stocks continues to indicate the total return of Fraser
sockeye is later than normal run timing."

I'm feeling a little nervous- is this a hint to the possibility of a Fraser closure that goes well into September- i.e., no opportunity to fish for pinks in the Fraser? Like Rod said earlier, I guess it's a signal to take on areas other than the Fraser. I hate to think of the pressure put on these other areas.   

[Rodney]

Thursday, August 24th, 2017

A small group of the Fraser River Panel met Thursday, August 24th to receive an update on the migration of Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches and daily escapements continue to track below pre-season expectations. Summer-run stocks currently comprise most of the sockeye migrating through the Juan de Fuca Strait and Johnstone Strait, but estimates of the Late-run proportions have decreased relative to estimates from earlier samples. Daily abundances of Summer-run and Late-run sockeye continue to track below median forecast levels.

On August 23rd the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was 2,121 m3/s, which is approximately 27% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 23rd was 18.60C, which is 0.90C 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 and pink salmon escapement goals.

CANADIAN FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

Remain closed to Commercial salmon fisheries.

UNITED STATES FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

TREATY INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 7:

Open to reefnets 5:00 am – 9 pm, Saturday, August 26, 2017. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

Areas 6/7/7A:

Open to purse seines and gillnets from 5:00 am, Friday, August 25, 2017 to 9 am, Saturday, August 26. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

ALL CITIZEN FISHERY:

Areas 7 and 7A

Open to reefnets with non-retention of sockeye, 5:00 am – 9pm, Friday, August 25, 2017, and 5:00 am – 9pm, Saturday, August 26, 2017.

The next in-season meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Friday, August 25th, 2017.

http://www.psc.org/download/468/2017/9294/aug-24-2017.pdf

[Rodney]

Friday, August 25th, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, August 25th to receive an update on the migration of Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Daily abundances of Summer-run and Late-run Fraser River sockeye migrating through Johnstone and Juan de Fuca Straits have been decreasing over the past week and continue to track below median forecast levels. At today’s meeting, the Panel decreased the run size estimate for the Summer run to 1,000,000 with a 50% marine timing through Area 20 of August 11. Summer-run stocks currently comprise most of the sockeye migrating through the Juan de Fuca Strait and Johnstone Strait, but estimates of the Late-run proportions have increased, in Area 20, relative to estimates from earlier samples.

On August 24th the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was 2,088m3/s, which is approximately 26% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 24th was 18.60C, which is 1.00C 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 and pink salmon escapement goals.

CANADIAN FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

Remain closed to Commercial salmon fisheries.

UNITED STATES FRASER RIVER PANEL AREA WATERS:

TREATY INDIAN FISHERY:

Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: As previously announced, open to drift gillnets 12:00 p.m. (noon), Wednesday, August 23, 2017, through 12:00 p.m. (noon), Saturday, August 26, 2017. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

Areas 7: As previously announced, open to reefnets 5:00 am – 9 pm, Saturday, August 26, 2017. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

Areas 6/7/7A: As previously announced, open to purse seines and gillnets from 5:00 am, Friday, August 25, 2017 to 9 am, Saturday,
August 26. Sockeye may be retained for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.

ALL CITIZEN FISHERY:

Areas 7 and 7A: As previously announced, open to reefnets with non-retention of sockeye, 5:00 am – 9pm, Friday, August 25, 2017, and 5:00 am – 9pm, Saturday, August 26, 2017.

(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 Monday, August 28, 2017.

http://www.psc.org/download/468/2017/9295/aug-25-2017.pdf

[Rodney]

Friday, September 8th, 2017

The Fraser River Panel met Friday, September 8th to receive an update on the migration of Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.

Daily abundances of Fraser sockeye continue to track below median forecast levels, as do daily abundances of pink salmon. At the meeting today, the panel adopted an Early Stuart run size of 47,000 with marine timing of July 4th, an Early Summer run size of 165,000 with marine timing of August 4th, a Summer run size of 1,044,000 with marine timing of August 11th, a Late run size of 231,000 with marine timing of August 16th, and a pink salmon run-size of 3,700,000, with a 50% marine timing through Area 20 of August 19th.

On September 7th the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was 1,884 m3/s, which is approximately 21% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on September 7th was 18.10C, which is 2.10C 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 and pink salmon escapement goals.

All Panel Area waters remain closed to commercial salmon fishing.

The Panel did not schedule another in-season meeting, but asked for regular updates on the migration of Fraser sockeye and pink salmon.

http://www.psc.org/download/468/2017/9318/sept-8-2017.pdf