quote:CHINOOK FORECAST: The 2008 forecast total return of Robertson Creek chinook to the terminal fishing area is ~53,000. The escapement goal is ~25,500. The available TAC in the terminal area is ~ 27,500 chinooks.
ESCAPEMENT: The Stamp Falls chinook counters went into operation on September 03. Escapement estimates to Wednesday September 10 are 3646 chinook and 9879 coho above the Stamp Falls counters. There has been no precipitation with temperatures at or above normal for the past seven days. Current river conditions remain favourable for escapement although water levels are dropping.
BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION: Biological samples have been collected from commercial and First Nations fisheries in Alberni Inlet.
ABORIGINAL FISHING: Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations conducted a small fleet fishery , 10 vessels, to harvest the remainder of their chinook TAC on Monday Sept. 08. The total harvest in this fishery was 1123 chinook. The total chinook catch to date for Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations is 10,603.
COMMERCIAL FISHING: Area D gill nets had approximately 800 chinook remaining on their TAC. The department in discussion with the Area D Harvest committee agreed to hold a fishery in which 25 vessels participated on Tuesday Sep 09. Each vessel had a catch target of 32 chinook. Fishermen agreed to work cooperatively with each other to harvest the remaining TAC. The total harvest in this fishery was 96 chinook and 76 coho. The total chinook catch to date for Area D gill nets is 4,848.
Area B seines were assigned a weekly target catch of 800 chinook. This fishery opened at 06:00 Monday September 08 and operated until 20:00h Tuesday September 09. 1 vessels participated in this opening. The catch from this opening was 570 chinook and 1400 coho. To date Area B seines have harvested 3318 chinook and 2925 coho.
RECREATIONAL FISHING: Fishing effort in Alberni Inlet is slowly declining as we move towards mid September. The recreational catch to September 03 for Alberni Inlet is approximately 6700 chinook.
NEXT WEEK'S FISHING PLANS:
Aboriginal –Both Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations will conduct a coho fishery Sunday September 14 from 5:00pm until 9:00pm in that portion of the lower Somass River downstream of the powerline crossing and in upper Alberni Harbour.
Commercial - There area no scheduled commercial fishery openings in upcoming week
Recreational – The recreational fishery is at full limits for chinook and coho salmon in Alberni Inlet north of the Hocking Pt. boundary line. The Nahmint Area closure is in effect. Chinook conservation measures are in effect in other portions of Area 23, Barkley Sound /Alberni Inlet.
Anglers are reminded that the Somass and Stamp Rivers are now open to the retention of chinook and coho salmon. Chinook and coho salmon are now present throughout the river. Please refer to Recreational Fishery Notice FN0592 for information on possession limits and area closures for this fishery.
Recreational anglers returning to Clutesi Marina on Sunday September 14 are reminded of the First Nation’s coho fishery in the lower Somass River downstream of the powerline crossing adjacent to the Catalyst Paper Mill between 5:00pm and 9:00pm.
For more information please contact the DFO office in Port Alberni at 250 720-4440 for more information or go online to
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Tidal/area23_e.htm
for the Area 23 Recreational Fishing information. for the Area 23 Recreational Coho Fishery Notice
For more information contact the local DFO office in Port Alberni at 250 720-4440
If you want your name removed from the distribution list please call the above number.
Prepared by: Alistair Thomson
Resource Manager
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
