RECREATIONAL SOCKEYE TO OPEN ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10th!

[trendsetter]

http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/x..._notice&lang=en&DOC_ID=134793&ID=recreational

The Fraser River Panel met today to review stock assessment data on the Fraser
River sockeye and pink salmon runs and to discuss fishery planning. Purse seine
test fishing catches of Fraser River sockeye in Johnstone Strait were strong
over the weekend. The diversion rate of Fraser sockeye through Johnstone Strait
continued to increase over the past week and is currently estimated to be
approximately 75%. Thus far this season, the diversion rate of Fraser sockeye
through Johnstone Strait has been higher and their marine migration timing
later than was expected during pre-season planning. DNA analyses indicate that
the stock composition of Fraser sockeye in the marine approach areas is
presently about 5% Early Summer-run, 40-50% Summer-run, and 50-55% Late-run
sockeye. The proportions of four-year-old Fraser sockeye migrating through the
marine assessment are approximately 50%, excluding the Harrison sockeye.
Abundance estimates of sockeye passage at Mission has been in the 40,000-65,000
range over the past few days and expected to increase to 100,000-150,000 per
day. The estimated escapement of Early Summer-run sockeye past Mission through
August 7 is 228,000. The estimated escapement of Summer-run sockeye past
Mission through August 7 is 185,000 fish. The estimated escapement of Late-run
sockeye past Mission through August 7 is 211,000 fish.
There were no run size changes at today's meeting.


DFO's forecast of the 50% marine timing of Fraser River pink salmon through
Area 20 is August 31. The forecast diversion rate of Fraser pinks through
Johnstone Strait this season is 59%. The marine timing and diversion rate
forecasting models for Fraser pink salmon have high uncertainty associated with
them. The forecast of later than expected marine timing of Fraser pinks and
higher than expected diversion rate is consistent with present sockeye
observations. The migration of pink salmon through Johnstone Strait has been
higher over recent days. DNA analyses of pink salmon samples collected in
Johnstone Strait and Juan de Fuca Strait test fisheries indicate that Fraser
pink salmon currently comprise only a low proportion of the samples. Their
contribution to marine area abundances of pink salmon is expected to increase
over the next few weeks as they near their expected peak marine migration
period near the end of the month. Fisheries targeting Fraser River pink salmon
will be constrained by conservation concerns for Late-run Fraser sockeye stocks.

On August 7, the Fraser River water discharge at Hope was approximately 5800
cms, which is about 42% higher than average for this date. The temperature of
the Fraser River at Qualark Creek on August 7 was 16.4C°, which is 1.4°C cooler
than average for this date. There were no changes to any management adjustments
at the meeting today. Management adjustments are additional fish that are
allowed to escape upstream to help achieve spawning escapement targets for
Fraser River sockeye.

The following fisheries are planned:
The First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries for sockeye are now
underway in all areas.

Licence Area E gill nets to open in portions of Management Areas 29, Thursday,
August 11 from 1PM to 3PM. Check with specific Fishery Notices for further
details.

Tsawwassen Harvest Agreement gill net fishery to open in portions of Management
Area 29 Wednesday, August 10 from 11AM to 3PM.

Marine recreational fishery retention of sockeye to start Wednesday, August
10th. Check with specific Fishery Notices for further details.

The next meeting of the Panel is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, August 9, 2011.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Barry Rosenberger 250-851-4892

 

[Sitkaspruce]

I release a bunch today up here in McNeill and it was like rain on the water here, they were jumping and surfacing like crazy today. Lots of them around and now we can keep them!!!!!!

Great news!!!

Cheers

SS

 

[tortuga]

Don't sockeye migrate to Japan before returning home? I caught one the other day and it was sure bright, almost glowing.

 

[trendsetter]

Don't sockeye migrate to Japan before returning home? I caught one the other day and it was sure bright, almost glowing.

Lol. yes they do. But I think this years batch would've been long gone from Japan at the time of the nuclear accident.

One thing to note is the opening is a 2 per day limit.

Cant wait to bbq a nice fresh sockeye!

 

[cohochinook]

Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon


Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0694-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Sockeye retention in Southern B.C. Waters

The current status of the Fraser River sockeye salmon returns provides for
sockeye salmon retention opportunities for recreational fisheries in most
Southern B.C. marine waters as noted below:

Effective 00:01 hours Wednesday, August 10 until further notice, in the
following areas, the daily limit for sockeye by recreational fishing is two (2)
per day:

- Area 12 - Subareas 12-1 to 12-4 and Area 13(Johnstone Strait);
- Areas 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 (Strait of Georgia);
- Area 20 (Juan de Fuca Strait);
- Areas 21, 121 and 123 to 127 (West Coast of Vancouver Island). Note: Area 23
(Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet) is open to retention of Somass sockeye (refer
to FN0447);
- Area 28 (Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm);
- Area 29 (Subareas 29-1 to 29-5).
Note: Opportunities in the remainder of Area 29 including the tidal portions of
the Fraser River will be announced by a separate fishery notice.

Sockeye retention is not permitted in the following areas:

- Area 16 – remains closed to sockeye retention in order to protect Sakinaw
Lake sockeye. It is anticipated that Subareas 16-19 to 21 (Sabine Channel)
could open to sockeye retention in early August and will be confirmed by
fishery notice;
- In Nitinat Lake (Area 22).
- In Subarea 29-8 (Boundary Bay);

Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal
waters of British Columbia. This includes all species of fish in the Fraser
River.

Anglers are requested to release any hatchery marked sockeye. These fish are
hatchery raised sockeye and part of a recovery program designed to increase the
numbers of Cultus Lake sockeye.

The term "hatchery marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the
adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Salmon Sport Head
Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped
chinook and coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical
information for coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head
Recovery Program at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Rockfish Conservation Areas that are currently in effect and are closed to all
fin fishing. Descriptions of these closures, and other recreational fishing
information, can be found on the Internet at:

www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line
at (800) 465-4336.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at
1(866)431-FISH.

Variation Order No. 2011-382

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the local DFO office in your area for updated information as it becomes
available.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0694
Sent August 9, 2011 at 13:18
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

 

[Sitkaspruce]

what a load of crap, for area 12 it is the lower area in Johnston strait, what about the rest of area 12??? Lets concentrate all the boats in a narrow area with wicked tidal flows and throw in cruise ships, tugs with wood, tourists learning to drive their huge yachts and the Robson Bight non-legislated restrictions and it will be a crazy butt gong show down there. Then they will open a commercial opening in the same area and we will have real fun!!!!!

Looks like a boat run tomorrow morning!!!

Cheers

SS

 

[tubber]

Is the boundary at Blinkhorn, Sitka? I'd start there and look for jumpers close to the beach.

 

[Jambo]

I wonder if it is a typo. Usually 12-1 to 12-4 is closed and the rest is open.

 

[eaglemaniac]

I know what there up to. They will close it just as quick. Get on it. eman

 

[Cuba Libre]

cant wait to see how DFO screws the sockeye opening up, give it time some kinda shyte will hit the fan....holmes*

Its already screwed up--- here come the seines and gillnets and we are "allowed" 2 a day??????????? Well golly gee-- thank you......

 

[Sitkaspruce]

Is the boundary at Blinkhorn, Sitka? I'd start there and look for jumpers close to the beach.

Yup, that is the northern boundary....me and all the boats from McNeill/Telegraph....Hmmmm, maybe I will stick close to home and fish springs as there is lots around right now, picked up a 25 this morning along with the humpies.

Maybe it is a typo, but I doubt it and my local DFO office is not answering calls today.

Cheers

SS

 

[Islandgirl]

Its already screwed up--- here come the seines and gillnets and we are "allowed" 2 a day??????????? Well golly gee-- thank you......

well said...
just an excuse to unleash the nets.. so we cant complain!

 

[trendsetter]

Yup, that is the northern boundary....me and all the boats from McNeill/Telegraph....Hmmmm, maybe I will stick close to home and fish springs as there is lots around right now, picked up a 25 this morning along with the humpies.

Maybe it is a typo, but I doubt it and my local DFO office is not answering calls today.

Cheers

SS

You're in luck. They released an amendment today which indicates all of area 12 is open. See below:

Amendment to FN0694: Additional open areas and non-retention in Areas 24 to
27. The full text of the notice follows below.


The current status of the Fraser River sockeye return provides for recreational
sockeye retention opportunities in most Southern B.C. marine waters.

Effective immediately until further notice, in the following Areas, the daily
limit for recreationally caught sockeye is two (2) per day:

- Areas 11 and 111;
- Area 12;
- Area 13 (Johnstone Strait);
- Areas 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 (Strait of Georgia);
- Area 20 (Juan de Fuca Strait);
- Areas 21, 121 and 123 to 127 (West Coast of Vancouver Island).
Note: Area 23 (Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet) is open to retention of Somass
sockeye (refer to FN0447).
- Area 28 (Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm);
- Area 29 (Subareas 29-1 to 29-5). Note that opportunities in the remainder of
Area 29 including the tidal portions of the Fraser River will be announced by a
separate fishery notice.

Sockeye retention is not permitted in the following areas:

- Area 16 remains closed to sockeye retention in order to protect Sakinaw Lake
sockeye. It is anticipated that Subareas 16-19 to 21 (Sabine Channel) could
open to sockeye retention in early August and will be confirmed by fishery
notice;
- Area 22 (Nitinat Lake);
- Areas 24 to Areas 27 inclusive;
- Subarea 29-8 (Boundary Bay).

 

[Sitkaspruce]

heading out right now!!!!

Cheers

SS

 

[sir-vivor]

I fished the S Arm (Area 29-4) from 730-130pm for Soxs and all the others but .... Nada !

 

[Blackmax]

I fished the S Arm (Area 29-4) from 730-130pm for Soxs and all the others but .... Nada !

40 billion pinks and you couldn't catch one?

 

[tstalker]

Sox all over Disco Pass today. Good action at Greensea. Felt like China Creek for a while there were so many boats. Lots of wet nets. Had one tripleheader (2 Sox and 1 Pink, boated all of them). Lost at least 10 others.

TSt

 

[Osama Bin Hopper]

Shitpiles of them out at the 7 mile bank yesterday, some big bastards too!

 

[tubber]

They only opened the river for 3 days of flossing. That may be in an indication of a short saltwater opening. Get 'em if you can.

 

[trendsetter]

AREA 13 test seine brought in 9,687 Sockeye and 1,157 Pink salmon in only 4 sets yesterday.

I would say we are in for a massive wave this weekend / early next week in the Vancouver area. Fingers crossed...