Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll,
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0813-COMMERCIAL Salmon: Fraser River Sockeye Update - Sept 10 - Areas 11 to 29
The Fraser River Panel met today to review stock assessment data on the Fraser
River sockeye runs, consider harvest opportunities, and discuss sockeye
migration conditions in the Fraser River watershed.
The marine migration of Fraser sockeye through the marine assessment areas has
declined rapidly over the past week and the sockeye purse seine test fisheries
in Johnstone Strait and Juan de Fuca Strait have ended for the season. The
migration of sockeye past Mission has been steady over the past few days, while
the migration of sockeye past Hells Gate has been variable but strong. The
total run size estimate for Fraser River sockeye this season was increased from
34,046,000 to 34,546,000 fish at the Panel meeting on September 7, and it was
unchanged at the meeting today. The estimated total commercial catch of Fraser
sockeye to-date is 10,824,000 fish, while non-commercial catches (from test,
First Nations FSC, Charter, and recreational fisheries) total 987,000 fish. At
the Panel meeting on September 7, the run size estimate of 3,700,000 Early
Summer-run sockeye was increased to 3,800,000 fish and the run size estimate of
4,800,000 Summer-run sockeye was increased to 5,200,000 fish. At the meeting
today, these run size estimates were unchanged. The estimated escapements of
Early Summer-run and Summer-run sockeye past Mission through September 9 are
2,712,000 and 3,158,000 fish, respectively. Present assessments suggest that
approximately 14,500,000 Late-run sockeye are presently delaying in the lower
Strait of Georgia. At the meeting today, the current run size estimates of
1,200,000 Harrison, 24,000,000 Late Shuswap/Weaver, and 241,000 Birkenhead
stock-group sockeye were unchanged. The estimated escapement of Late-run
sockeye past Mission through September 9 is 3,966,000 fish.
Migration conditions for sockeye in the Fraser River are currently satisfactory
and the management adjustments were unchanged at the meeting today. Management
adjustments are employed to help achieve spawning escapement targets for Fraser
River sockeye.
Conservation measures are in place to limit Canadian exploitation rates for
Interior Fraser River coho to 3%. Measures include a moving timing window in
the Fraser River which began September 7 below Mission during which only
selective fishery opportunities may be permitted.
The following fisheries are planned:
The Area B Seine fishery is open daily from 07:00 hours to 19:00 hours until
Monday, September 13th in portions of Area 29 with a total number of seine sets
limit. Please refer to the specific Fishery notices for more details.
The Area H Troll fishery remains open until further notice in portions of
Management Areas 12, 13, 18 and 29. Please refer to the specific Fishery
Notices for further details.
The Area D Gill Net fishery closed this morning, Friday, Sept 10th at 08:00
hours.
Recreational fishing is open for sockeye retention in South coast marine areas
and in the lower Fraser River until Sept 19th. Please refer to the specific
Fishery Notices for further details.
First Nation fisheries vary by areas with opportunities in marine and Fraser
River area; consult with local DFO offices for openings.
The next Fraser River Panel meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 14th.
A further update will be provided on this date.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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