Anyone have info on the chinook returns in the Cowichan this year?
Thanks for the numbers. Last year was 9100 - the highest in 10 years. This is great news.The Cowichan return of Chinooks according to DFO came in higher than expectations and higher then both the 4 and 10 year average.
Good news!
2017 Cowichan River - fall run 10,043
4 yr. average 7,680
10 yr. average 5,270
I would be interested to understand why these ECVI stocks are doing relatively well when the Fraser is not.
Also wonder about how some of the other mainland systems have done over the past couple of years (Phillips, Southgate, Homathko, etc).
Clearly some stocks are bucking the trend.
I'm a recreational angler that is affected by the numerous closures that have been in place to help out this stock. I'm grateful that the numbers are good again this year. We still have a ways to go but this is encouraging. The question is why are the numbers going up? I suspect that the habitat enhancement is the local driver, not based on any science, I suspect the estuary work that was done is the reason.
As someone that seems to get a Cowichan River Chinook tag from the hatchery often in the heads I turn in, I look forward to the day that we get the green light from the technical committee to relax the regulations. Here is a link to more information on this system. IMHO this type of work needs to be replicated in all our river systems. As Matt Damon would say "science the shyt out of it".Its habitat enhancement, and also a committed team working together Cow tribes, Enhancement group, CVRD, and Catalyst Paper. Among many others. The Fraser doesn't have that. Its me me me,and that doesn't work. I know Cutplug has more insight on what goes in the river as far as fisheries aspect. I wodln't be holding my breath on an opening down the corner though. I hope we have a good spring return this year again.
Would be great if they can figure out what's working and apply it to other rivers.
And that's how misinformed rumors start, some may call this fake news. There were reasons why the Cowichan hatchery smolt mortality was disproportionally high, very specific to this operation. Don't try to make a general statement out of this! The reduced rate of hatchery production is certainly NOT the reason why the Chinook stock is rebounding. I wished people would stick to what they actually know before blurting out "fluffy stuff". If you make an assumption, identify this as such and don't make it sound as if you actually know something. Dick Beamish would be very upset by taking such a statement out of context and spinning it for your agenda. Think before posting!