Official Barkely Sockeye Bulletin # 5 - July 9, 2004
SOCKEYE FORECAST: The 2004 preseason forecast was 672,000 adult sockeye to the Somass system. 60,000 sockeye are expected to return to Henderson Lake. The July 8 reforecast has reduced the estimate to 600,000. The next inseason run reforecast is scheduled for Thursday, July 15
ESCAPEMENT: Somass adult sockeye escapement through noon July 7 is 38,345 (Sproat: 24,238, Great Central: 14,107. Recent combined daily adult escapements have decreased to 4-600. Escapement remains well below average for this date. The problem with the broken grate in the GCL fish way has been corrected. A calibrated estimate of bypass during this problem is included in the above totals. Recent water temperatures: Sproat 23º, Stamp Falls fishway 16-18º.
BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION: Age analysis from samples taken in all fisheries and both fishways continues to show significantly fewer 4 year old sockeye than expected.
TEST FISHING: The test seine Argent #1 caught and released an estimated 3,815 sockeye in 10 sets on July 5/6. Released bycatch included 1 coho and 1 chinook. Stock estimates: Outer Alberni Inlet: 30,000, Inner Alberni Inlet: 175,000 sockeye.
ABORIGINAL FISHING: All fishing is for food, social and ceremonial purposes at this time. Discussion on fishing plans and catch monitoring continues.
COMMERCIAL FISHING: At a run size of 600,000 Somass sockeye, the commercial allocation is 92,000.
Catch information to date:
Gill net: June 29 – 104 vessels total - 18,398 sockeye ( average 177)
Gill Net catch to date 46,720 sockeye (preliminary, including 1,026 from a selective fishing project)
Seine: June 22 - 3 vessels total – 8,071 sockeye (validated)
June 29 – 6 vessels total – 21,814 sockeye (validated)
July 6 - 7 vessels total - 18,156 sockeye (validated) Seine catch to date is 48,041.
RECREATIONAL FISHING: Estimated catch to July 7 in Alberni Inlet is 48,600. Effort has ranged from 367-635 boats on July 1-7. Catch per boat averaged 5.34 sockeye this past week. Recreational boaters are asked to use caution when travelling through commercial fishing fleets. A brochure titled "On Common Waters" is available at the Port Alberni Office or sporting goods stores and marinas. Fishermen should check the Sport Information Boards at Clutesi and China Creek Marinas for specific information.
NEXT WEEK'S FISHING PLANS:
Aboriginal – Tseshaht/Hupacasath gill netting reduced to 3 days/week (noon Sunday – noon Wednesday) effective Sunday, July 10.
Commercial -Gill net & seine closed until further notice – next announcement Thursday, July 15
Recreational - Sockeye daily limit is 2 effective midnight Sunday, July 11, Uchucklesit Inlet remains closed to fin fishing.
A scientific licence has been issued for 3,000 sockeye to be taken by seine to support monitoring escapement of Henderson Lake sockeye.
NOTE: These management actions will be reviewed on Thursday, July 10 following the next inseason reforecast.
Note: Updated fishery information is available on the recorded message line: (250) 723-0417
Prepared by: Laurie Gordon
Resource Manager
Telephone (250) 723-0118, cell (250) 731-6606
Fax (250) 724-2555
Cheers,
Nog
