Fraser Pink
An increase in PSs test fishery catch on Aug. 23 and 24 in A20 could result in a second mode of the Pink return as seen in other years.
Due to the current bi-modal characteristic the run is currently following, the PSC is finding it difficult to determine run timing. The PSC is continuing to determine the best expansion lines to allow for an accurate estimate of run size.
At this time there is high uncertainty of abundance seaward of Mission.
A run size of 5,500,000 was recommended by the PSC with a run timing of August 17 with
the expectation that the run size and timing will change as more information is received. The run timing of August 17 is one of the earliest run timings on record. Canada did not accept the run size of 5.5 million due to concerns around uncertainty of run size estimates and therefore and a run size of 4.8 million was adopted.
Fishery Evaluation
Pink catch is projected to be close to the total TAC for the US. Possibility of Pink
catch to exceed USTAC depending on daily abundance.
Expected low effort in both the Gillnet and Purse Seine fisheries therefore low Sockeye
bycatch.
Sockeye bycatch mortality of 1,094 was calculated for all fisheries in the coming few
days.
Canada continued to highlighted concerns with the Gn Pink fishery and the sockeye
catch. It is expected that the effort will be low in this fishery and therefore impacts
should be low. Canada would like to pick up this discussion in the post season.
High concerns from Canada with the retention of any Sockeye dead or alive.