Expert sceptical of Washington’s orca plan.

[OldBlackDog]

http://mynorthwest.com/1217574/expert-skeptical-washingtons-orca-plan/?show=comments#comments

 

[ziggy]

Interesting take on the problem. I guess it just shows that there is no silver bullet. Sadly our government seems to think recreational closures is the answer, or at least the easy answer!

 

[wildmanyeah]

as @Whitebuck would say...

The dams on the fraser are gill nets

“The dominant, most important food item appears to be Fraser River salmon, not Columbia River salmon,” Hilborn said. “Fraser River-bound Chinook salmon have been declining, but there are no dams on the Fraser River. I think the weight of evidence for the decline of Chinook salmon certainly on the Fraser River and in general, is climate change — it’s been getting warmer, that’s bad for our fish — and the growth of marine mammal populations.”

 

[Whitebuck]

The tribes net the Columbia as well...

 

[SpringVelocity]

Same point we always make that we still need to solve:

“It’s almost certainly multiple causes for the decline of Southern Resident Killer Whales, but what I haven’t heard in the discussion is pointing out that Northern Resident Killer Whales, which also depend on Chinook salmon, are doing just fine. There are probably 5-6 times more of them than the Southern residents. They are growing at a reasonable rate. And they are feeding on, to the same extent, the same Chinook salmon as the Southern residents are eating.”

 

[searun]

as @Whitebuck would say...

The dams on the fraser are gill nets

“The dominant, most important food item appears to be Fraser River salmon, not Columbia River salmon,” Hilborn said. “Fraser River-bound Chinook salmon have been declining, but there are no dams on the Fraser River. I think the weight of evidence for the decline of Chinook salmon certainly on the Fraser River and in general, is climate change — it’s been getting warmer, that’s bad for our fish — and the growth of marine mammal populations.”

A very large reason Fraser Chinook are in trouble is pinniped predation. Strong evidence that the larger S-1 smolts are preferred prey to the S-0 smolts which are smaller. Size matters and being a big smolt isn’t healthy. We will need to find ways to get smolts past the predator trap in the estuaries.

 

[SpringVelocity]

A very large reason Fraser Chinook are in trouble is pinniped predation. Strong evidence that the larger S-1 smolts are preferred prey to the S-0 smolts which are smaller. Size matters and being a big smolt isn’t healthy. We will need to find ways to get smolts past the predator trap in the estuaries.

Well sea-pens aren't answer either. They are just a big band aide. We need predator control at the problem areas, and we really have to start looking at these estuaries/ways to improve habitat for them.

 

[Dave]

How about a few more spawners ffs.

 

[OldBlackDog]

Well, the good news there is a group working on that.
But as always they can use all the help they can get.

A very large reason Fraser Chinook are in trouble is pinniped predation. Strong evidence that the larger S-1 smolts are preferred prey to the S-0 smolts which are smaller. Size matters and being a big smolt isn’t healthy. We will need to find ways to get smolts past the predator trap in the estuaries.

 

[littlechucky]

A very large reason Fraser Chinook are in trouble is pinniped predation. Strong evidence that the larger S-1 smolts are preferred prey to the S-0 smolts which are smaller. Size matters and being a big smolt isn’t healthy. We will need to find ways to get smolts past the predator trap in the estuaries.

Aren’t the Harrison stock S-0?

They have had poor returns in the past few years.

 

[searun]

Compared with upper Fraser they are doing far better. Chilliwack fish in particular did quite well. We might need to investigate trapping out migrant smolts from Upper Fraser and transport them past the predator trap in the estuary. A temporary fix until something can be developed to address problem harbour seals. That needs a science-based plan, not a random cull such as has been proposed by some. We have a good idea where the smolts are being preyed upon. Now we need a series of actions to address it.

 

[SpringVelocity]

Here is an example of the groups we should be forming to tackle this problem. Groups like these need to be set up to work just at the estuary alone https://www.cowichanestuary.com/

So many creeks/rivers need this work done.

 

[Dave]

We might need to investigate trapping out migrant smolts from Upper Fraser and transport them past the predator trap in the estuary. A temporary fix until something can be developed to address problem harbour seals.

Seriously?? I think you would have a hard time finding funding and DFO approval for such action. Trapping and transporting smolting chinooks could cause significant mortalities, negating any potential benefits. The simplest solution to addressing poor chinook production from upper Fraser stocks is to allow more spawners, which means a buy in by Sto-Lo fishers. Pay them not to fish.

 

[Whitebuck]

Weird how the Chilliwack whites are doing better than the Harrison whites.
what could be going on from the mouth of the Vedder to the Harrison that could reduce numbers that bad lol.
Also weird how the Capilano white springs have been good as well.....

 

[Whitebuck]

Dave....people not around these fisheries will never get it. I do however agree that the in river seals and at rivermouths need to be taken care of.

 

[Fish Camp]

Every chinook i caught /cleaned this year had large tapeworm in their body cavity .If the salmon have tapeworms would not the killerwhale have a tapeworm .perhaps the whales have a massive parasite and reflect in poor health.

 

[searun]

Thay

Seriously?? I think you would have a hard time finding funding and DFO approval for such action. Trapping and transporting smolting chinooks could cause significant mortalities, negating any potential benefits. The simplest solution to addressing poor chinook production from upper Fraser stocks is to allow more spawners, which means a buy in by Sto-Lo fishers. Pay them not to fish.

47 percent outmigrant smolts being consumed by harbour seals isn’t going to go away by slowing a few more spawners to make it up the river. Neither will amping up Hatchery production. What good will it do when the smolts are eaten?

 

[searun]

Every chinook i caught /cleaned this year had large tapeworm in their body cavity .If the salmon have tapeworms would not the killerwhale have a tapeworm .perhaps the whales have a massive parasite and reflect in poor health.

Tape worms are normally found in salmon that is nothing unusual

 

[searun]

Weird how the Chilliwack whites are doing better than the Harrison whites.
what could be going on from the mouth of the Vedder to the Harrison that could reduce numbers that bad lol.
Also weird how the Capilano white springs have been good as well.....

Seal predation??

 

[Dave]

Thay

47 percent outmigrant smolts being consumed by harbour seals isn’t going to go away by slowing a few more spawners to make it up the river. Neither will amping up Hatchery production. What good will it do when the smolts are eaten?

We’re talking upper Fraser watershed chinooks … do you seriously believe 47% of these outmigrating chinooks are being eaten by pinnipeds?
Hatchery fish by the many thousands are consumed for sure, but a few hundred wild chinook smolts from some tribs, a few thousand from a few more (again, upper river stocks) would be like looking for a pin in a hay stack for these animals. Considering they would be co migrating with millions of other salmonids, I don’t buy it. It’s my opinion the problem is simple.. these fish are being over harvested.

I think some here have no clue how few of these upper river fish are left; some rivers have less than 100 fish, the good ones a few thousand, and dropping every cycle; any increase in spawners will help