Vancouver Area Sockeye Update

[BigHog]

After the SFAB meeting yesterday the panel concluded:

There seems to be very low numbers of Sockeye in the test areas and DFO is warning the recreational sector that it is very unlikley that we will see an opening this year.

"4) If the summer run comes in at the 90 p level of 2.8M there is just enough available to meet the escapement goal and FN FSC requirements. Constraints from the E Summer and Lates will likely limit whether or not the FSC allocation can be caught. Given this is, it is important to let the recreational community know that at this point there is little likelihood of a recreational sockeye fishery. "

*** Hope they are wrong !!

 

[Sushihunter]

OK, so DFO says the numbers are down. Fair enough.

The question in my mind is:

Why were the numbers so high to begin with? What did they base those numbers on?

And why have they changed their predictions?

If DFO is to be 'trusted' then they need to explain what happened.

They have essentially made 2 predictions for the season - one high, one low. One is right, and one is wrong. Or were they just trying to cover all bases so that they could say they got it right???

[?] [?] [?]

Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250

 

[SnapperAttacker]

The numbers were predicted to be high because this years run is the bread and butter run, it always has been fairly high. Its unusual whats happening to this run, unless there was mass poaching going on, the collapse of this years Sockeye run is going to make it hard to figure out what the hell has happend. Not looking so bright, but they could still be late, if numbers dont pick up in a week, and big numbers that is, it wont open.

 

[BigHog]

To date they have counted about 33000 early run and the number should in the mid 250000 range to schedule an opening. The water temp is expected to be 20 C today !! Every year they give us hope and then slam us. You wait and see like 4 years ago there will be many many schools bumping into boats off of the Fraser and we will still be shutdown. Very frustrating after you spend time with clients who want to fish Sockeye and then won't be able to. Hope the Fraser Chinook run is big this year !!!

 

[Sushihunter]

quote:Originally posted by BigHog

Very frustrating after you spend time with clients who want to fish Sockeye and then won't be able to. Hope the Fraser Chinook run is big this year !!!

Ya, no kidding!

I was even thinking of going to Vancouver to fish Sockeye with a friend of mine who normally comes to Tahsis to fish!

Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250

 

[Nerka]

I always though the "bread and butter run" was the Adams/Suswap dominant year which is not until next summer. If i remember correctly we have had phenomenal sockeye fishing in the chuck in 2002, 2006 and hopefully again next summer in 2010? I don't recall there being much of a fishery in 2005 and I was not around in 2001.

Can anyone clarify this?

Nerka

 

[tubber]

This run in 1993 was over 20, if not 30 million. Adams run in 1994 was also up there. Not as many(Adams)spawned as should have in 2006. Don't hold your breath for next summer either. Warm rivers and crummy ocean survival are big factors apparently.

 

[Peahead]

Hey Jim , what happened to your site ? call me !!

Sorry Jim, I am very disapointed.....got the SFAB news last night via BCSFGA. Looks like you won't be coming down here for Socs this year.....and I guess it would be silly to come down here just for Chinook. The only positive thing I can tell you is that if you want to target Fraser,Tenderfoot,cap Chinook here in August/Sept, they are virtually as big, almost as plentiful and the best thing about it is its only 10- 25 min. to the fishing grounds! Going to be frustrating though watching all those socs flopping around out off fraser. Lots of Pinks too ! You love Pinks don't you Jim ?

Next year should be the big Sockeye year (Adams) as you may remember 2006 was amazing with at least a month opening. This year was predicted to be a good year however ( 10 mil was the initial prediction) I did however notice 2005 didn't see many caught so I can't remember if there was a closure that year or whether they just shot up river and weren't holding off the mouth. Remember if they don't hold at the mouth and school up in big numbers , we don't get many of them. Does anybody remember 2005 ...did we get a stab at them ? Sorry don't have my logs at work here.

 

[chromechaser]

If ocean survival is such an issue, why are so many of the other stocks doing so well this year. The fishing off WCVI has been tremendous all season with huge numbers of fish and larger fish showing up much earlier than in past years. Even the sockeye numbers in Alberni were much higher than initially anticipated. Not that I am an expert, but we have been hearing really good things about improved ocean conditions with cooler temperatures and increases in food sources for the salmon. I would think that the low numbers would have more to do with high mortality/catch rates four years ago leading to fewer spawners and lower escapement.

I find it very interesting that it is the Fraser fish that seem to be suffering.

 

[rico]

I am no scientist, but maybe the route they are taking goes right past the salmon farms. They die, no one notices till 3 or 4 years later when they don't show up.

 

[Tips Up]

Hmmm...
Fish farms on route, gravel dredging the rivers, flossing, poaching, recreational over fishing on the rivers, FN fishery for food and sale, ocean temps...

Seems strange. Conditions are perfect for wild fish[)]

Tips

 

[IronNoggin]

Combine all of that Tips, with just WHO</u> is "managing" the show. Methinks you now have The Answer... [}]

Nog

 

[Peahead]

quote:Originally posted by Tips Up

Hmmm...
Fish farms on route, gravel dredging the rivers, flossing, poaching, recreational over fishing on the rivers, FN fishery for food and sale, ocean temps...

Seems strange. Conditions are perfect for wild fish[)]

Tips

This is all true when talking about a lack of socs returning to the spawning grounds but considering the socs are in low numbers out at sea, before they have even hit the river
and considering 4 years ago the escapement numbers were met ( as I beleive they were) then overfishing in the river, poaching in the river, flossing in the river, FN fishery in the river and recreational fishing in the river would not have caused a lack of fish for this years run. The numbers are low right now out in the salt so the problem has to be when these fish headed out to sea,or while they were out there. River dredging, river/ocean pollution, fish farms, predators, Ocean temperature and fishing in the salt certainly could be reasons for low numbers in the chuck rt now.

 

[eaglemaniac]

What about drift nets and Alaskan Fisheries? eman

 

[BigHog]

I would have thought that with the 25% reduction in USA quota that MORE sockeye would have made it through. Maybe they aren't telling the truth. We have about a week for the numbers to increase to over 50% of run or DFO will turn the lights out for us. Lets hope way more fish show up and real quick !

 

[BigHog]

Here is the latest from DFO just NOW !!


SYSTEM IN TEST MODE

Category(s):
ABORIGINAL - General Information,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine,
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll,
RECREATIONAL - Salmon

Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0569-Salmon: Fraser River Sockeye Update - July 28 - Areas 11 to 29

The Fraser River Panel met July 28 to receive an update on the migration of the
Fraser River sockeye runs and review the status of migration conditions in the
Fraser River watershed.

Test fishing catches of sockeye in Johnstone Strait and Juan de Fuca Strait as
well in the Fraser River indicate continued low migration of Fraser River
sockeye. The migration of Early Summer-run sockeye through marine assessment
areas continues to be much lower than expected to-date. The Panel adopted a run
size recommendation further down grading the Early Summer run from 264,000 fish
to 150,000. The escapement of Early Summer-run sockeye past Mission through
July 27 is approximately 45,000 fish.

Summer-run sockeye have been entering the marine assessment areas over the past
couple of weeks and have also been well below expectations. It is too early to
make an in-season run size estimate for Summers however they are tracking
consistent with Early Summer stock group. The estimated escapement of Summer-
run sockeye past Mission through July 27 is approximately 28,000 fish.

Migration conditions for sockeye entering the Fraser River are deteriorating.
On July 27 the Fraser River discharge at Hope was approximately 4,100 cms,
which is approximately 15%-20% lower than normal. Water temperatures are the
larger issue. Temperatures at Qualark Creek were 19.8 0C on July 27th, which
more than 20C higher than average for this date. Fraser River water
temperatures are forecast to reach approximately 21.7 0C by August 5th, which
would set all time record highs. Water temperatures exceeding 200 C may cause
high enroute mortality of Fraser River sockeye.

There are no directed recreational and commercial fisheries for Fraser River
sockeye at the present time. First Nations sockeye fisheries have been
curtailed and DFO is planning meetings with First Nations groups to review
current information.

Next Panel meeting is July 31st.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Barry Rosenberger 250-851-4892

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0569
Sent July 29, 2009 at 16:12
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

 

[abbyfireguy]

Alexandra Morton is not surprised with the low Fraser River numbers so far. She said that the smolts were infected with a large number of sea lice on their way out to sea as babies.
That combined with all the other factors would do it.

IAFF Local #18 (Vancouver Fire Rescue)

 

[TheBigGuy]

I am no scientist, but what Morton says makes sense. I would guess a high percentage of the Fraser Sockeye smolts migrate to sea through the gauntlet of fish farms on the north island. The Port Alberni run would migrate to Alaska on the outside waters passing comparatively few fish farms. That could very well explain why with similar improved ocean conditions the inside stocks are not showing any signs of recovery.

 

[Brisco]

You guys are just inviting that P.O.S. Sockeye jerk over here.

 

[eaglemaniac]

No... He's being well paid to spar with agentaqua. What a joke.[V] eman