Only 11,500 escapement so far. Concerns raised that there may not be enough fish sitting in the flats to make it into the river to make up the difference, and there do not appear to be new waves of fish coming out in Barkley Sound.
Also concerns over the number of 3 year old smaller fish in the mix, reducing the potential egg production. The Round Table manages to ensure we pass around 20,000 fish into the river with sufficient larger females to provide the hatchery with enough eggs.
Decision made to hold off fishing this week until Thursday pending review of the number of fish that pass through the fish counters in the river. If we get to 15K or above then a decision will be made to have a small fishery aimed at catching the Recreational expected catch underage (about 3000 fish after accounting for the current Area D overage). Of note, the Seine fleet has not achieved their TAC, nor is it likely they can given the poor fishing outside Polly's point for them.
In other words, the expected rec catch was not met this season, and our underage has been passed along to cover the overage from other sectors. For the post-season review, the Rec sector has raise the issue of Chinook Conservation measures put in place to close Rainy Bay and San Mateo Bay to Rec fishing in an effort to protect some weaker Chinook stocks (Henderson and Nahmint). We have long argued these restrictions are not effective for the stated objective and in a fishery where the Rec sector cannot catch it's expected catch such restrictions are simply passing more fish along to other sectors to harvest. We will continue to seek amendments to these Chinook Conservation Measures and also press for no commercial net fisheries prior to the Labour Day Weekend. The objective being all sectors should be meeting their TAC harvest objectives, and fisheries designed to ensure same.
Another consideration in allowing commercial fisheries prior to Labour Day is in years where Labour Day comes early, we have agreement the commercial fishery will take place following it. However, in years where Labour Day is late, based on run timing, we have allowed a pre-Labour Day fishery. This approach has been a bone of contention, and will be subject of the Post-Season Review given the overage that may have impeded rec opportunity.