North Coast Salmon Update #8– Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Please note that in-season updates always deal in preliminary numbers. Usually these change somewhat upon receipt and analysis of all the data.
Area F Troll Update
CHINOOK
The chinook fishery closed the evening of Aug. 1 (FN0717) to protect WCVI chinook. The total validated catch of chinook is 124,921 pieces which is 65% of the 2016 Area F Troll TAC. The estimated harvest rate of the total WCVI chinook returning to Canada is 2.1% as estimated by fishing effort using the Effort Harvest Management Tool. The fishery will be reviewed over the next week and may reopen in late August or early September depending on the estimated troll impacts on WCVI Chinook.
Stock proportions of troll catch from DNA samples are as follows:
Sample #1
- from 351 fish (23 vessel landings) caught between June 21st and June 25th
- 45.7% Upper Columbia Summer/fall, 20.6% North & Central Oregon, 19.5% South Thompson, 7.0% Snake River, 1.4% WCVI, 1.4% Skeena and 0.0% Nass
Sample #2
- from 466 fish (49 vessel landings) caught between June 25th and July 9th
- 37.1% Upper Columbia Summer/fall, 23.5% North & Central Oregon, 19.0% South Thompson, 6.3% Coastal Washington, 1.1% WCVI, 0.7% Skeena and 0.0% Nass
Sample #3
- from 176 fish (23 vessel landings) caught between July 6th and 15th
- 32.0% South Thompson, 18.1% Upper Columbia Summer/Fall, 13.0% North & Central Oregon, 7.1% Coastal Washington, 4.9% WCVI, 2.5% Skeena and 0.0% Nass
COHO
The Dixon Entrance targeted Coho Fishery opened July 10th (FN0597). Average coho CPUE over the past week was 65 coho per vessel per day and is similar to the decadal average for this period. Total estimated catch to date is 160,000 coho, 34,000 pink and 500 sockeye. Fleet effort has declined over the past week as vessels left the area following the closure of the chinook fishery, and inclement weather impeded fishing activity.
Area 3 Coho
Indicators of Nass River Coho abundance appear to be strong and the coho migration past the Nass River Fishwheels has also indicated a strong return to date. Therefore, Area 3 will be opening to retention by troll on Wednesday, August 10. Refer to Fishery Notices for details.
Central Coast Limited Entry Coho Demo Fishery
This demonstration fishery was proposed and reviewed as part of the work to implement updates to the Commercial Salmon Allocation Framework (CSAF) and was included in the draft 2016/2017 IFMP for public review and feedback. The purpose of this demonstration fishery is to permit a small scale opportunity for a limited number of vessels to access coho and pink salmon in Areas 6, 7 and 8, and to gather stock composition data where there is currently poor biological information available. Effort will be limited to 4 vessels in Area 6, 3 vessels in Area 7, and 2 vessels in Area 8 for 2 week periods during the month of August.
The demo fishery opened Aug. 1st (FN0743) with 4 vessels participating in Area 6, another 3 vessels in Area 7 and 1 in Area 8 over the past week. Initial reports indicated modest coho CPUE’s of approximately 50-100 coho per day. Total estimated catch by this demo is currently 2000 coho and 250 pink.
Table 1 – Summary of Area F Troll catch and releases to date by week.
Figure 1 – Distribution of fishing effort of the Area F Troll Fleet by week.
Area 1-2 Recreational
Recreational catch to the end of July will not be available until the second week of August.
Table 2: Estimated Area 1-2 Recreational Catch to the end of June
Note:-Rockfish includes all rockfish including Yellow Eye.
-Data sources include Logbook program from fishing lodges, Haida Creel and anecdotal information.
Anecdotal information is used for catch estimates in:
i)Area 2E
ii)the months of January to May and October to December.
Area 3 - Nass
Nass River sockeye returns were forecasted to be slightly below the 20-year average with an expected total return to Canada of 574,000 (50% probability) based on a composite of 5 different forecast models. A below average return of 24,000 (50% probability) upper Nass chinook was the pre-season forecast.
The Nass River fishwheels have been in operation since May 31st and currently are operating in water levels which, at 1.0m, are the lowest reading on this date. The historic mean level to date is1.9. In addition, current water temperaturehas decreased slightly since last week to slightly above average, to date,at 10.0oC (vs. 9.8oC) on August 4th.
The current in-season TRTC estimate for Nass Sockeye, based on mean % run to date and mark-recapture data is 259,000, assuming 82% of the run has migrated past the lower fishwheels. For chinook, the estimate remains at 22,000, assuming 95% of the run has passed the lower fishwheels. For coho, the initial estimate is 323,000, assuming 13% of the run has passed the lower fishwheels. It is still too early to provide similar projections for other salmon species, though in-season run size estimates for coho. Nisga’a marine and in-river sale fisheries targeting sockeye have been curtailed until the return projection improves to a level where a surplus is available. The last Nisga’a sales fishery was July 2nd.
The NFWD conducted a second stream survey of the Stagoo River on August 6th and counted 1,929 chum and 1,380 pinks. On August 7th, the crew observed 117 chum and 9,000 pinks in the Illiance River. On the same day, they counted 109 chum and 15 pinks in the Kitsault River. On August 8th, 90 chum and 182 pinks were counted in the Dak River/Wilauks Creek system.
Net Fisheries:
Nine gillnet openings have occurred in Area 3 this year.There were no gillnet opportunities in Area 3 this past week.With continued poor sockeye results in both the Area 3 gillnet fishery and the Nass fish wheels, no further opportunities are expected until sockeye abundance indicators improve.
Area 3 Gillnet Catch Estimates
Sockeye Salmon / Coho Salmon / Pink Salmon / Chum Salmon / Chinook Salmon / SteelheadStat Week / Week of Year / Effort / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Rel
06/2 / 24 / Total for Week / 117 / 813 / 0 / 6 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 89 / 83 / 17 / 10
06/3 / 25 / Total for Week / 140 / 953 / 0 / 110 / 22 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 2165 / 196 / 29 / 28
06/4 / 26 / Total for Week / 252 / 3807 / 0 / 96 / 3 / 2 / 0 / 2125 / 168 / 168 / 29 / 5
07/1 / 27 / Total for Week / 268 / 7305 / 0 / 557 / 3 / 883 / 5 / 5663 / 479 / 285 / 73 / 20
07/2 / 28 / Total for Week / 109 / 6630 / 0 / 1098 / 0 / 5383 / 0 / 1939 / 256 / 98 / 31 / 24
Total for Management Area 3 in Period / 886 / 19508 / 0 / 1867 / 30 / 6271 / 5 / 9727 / 3157 / 830 / 179 / 87
The Kwinageese Closure has now passed, but sockeye retention during this pink-directed fishery remains prohibited to minimize impact to passing Nass sockeye. In addition, chum retention in Area 3 remains prohibited, along with continued restrictive fishing boundaries, to minimize impacts to Area 3 chums as part of the Area 3 chum rebuilding objective. Total pink harvest up to this Mondayis approximately 992,441 pieces, along with 59,399 chum and 20,799 coho.
Area 3 Seine Catch Estimates
Sockeye Salmon / Coho Salmon / Pink Salmon / Chum Salmon / Chinook Salmon / SteelheadStat Week / Week of Year / Effort / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept
07/2 / 28 / Total for Week / 17 / 495 / 0 / 556 / 17 / 3939 / 0 / 11175 / 0 / 0 / 127 / 0
07/3 / 29 / Total for Week / 92 / 0 / 10088 / 5554 / 0 / 209523 / 0 / 30452 / 0 / 0 / 558 / 0
07/4 / 30 / Total for Week / 77 / 0 / 14283 / 6148 / 35 / 323254 / 0 / 17772 / 17352 / 0 / 349 / 0
07/5 / 31 / Total for Week / 87 / 0 / 17554 / 7688 / 0 / 399302 / 0 / 0 / 33866 / 0 / 255 / 0
08/1 / 32 / Total for Week / 11 / 0 / 1170 / 460 / 0 / 34080 / 0 / 0 / 858 / 0 / 2 / 0
08/2 / 33 / Total for Week / 7 / 0 / 3079 / 393 / 0 / 22343 / 0 / 0 / 1041 / 0 / 20 / 0
Total for Management Area 3 in Period / 291 / 495 / 46174 / 20799 / 52 / 992441 / 0 / 59399 / 53117 / 0 / 1311 / 0
Nass River salmon stock assessment updates from the Nisga’a Fish and Wildlife Department will be available later this week. Periodic in-season updatesare available here:
or here:
ftp://ftp.lgl.com/Nass%20Stock%20Assessment%20Updates/
Nass Inland Demonstration Fishery
Both the Nisga’a and the Gitanyow may conduct inland demonstration fisheries to fish for sockeye in the Nass watershed this year, if stock abundance permits.
Meziadin Fishway
The Meziadin Fishway has been operational since June 30th. As of August8th, water levels decreasedslightly since last weekand remains below the average level to date (1.13m vs. 1.26m). Peak water temperature was 18.5oC, compared to the mean temperature, to date, of 16.5oC. Sockeye counts over the past week have improved,bringing the current totalescapement to date to30,521sockeye,10 chinook and 9 coho. Historic mean counts to date are 85,696sockeye,204 chinook and 5 coho. Historic and 2016 counts for all species areavailable here:
Kwinageese Weir
Kwinageese River Video Weir was installed and fully operational on July 11, 2016. As of August 7th, a total of 208 chinook and 627 sockeye have been counted. Historic mean counts to date are 320 chinook and 620 sockeye. No other salmon species have been observed. Video weir operations are scheduled to operate until October 15, 2016.
Tree Point Gill Net Fishery
The Tree Point gillnet fishery in Alaska again openedfor 5 days of fishing this week, opening Sunday, August7that noon. Catch estimates for this opening are not available. For the previous week’s Sunday – Friday opening, a total of 40 vessels participated, down from the decadal average of 45. Compared to the decadal average, catch estimates forWeek 31were low for sockeye (3,000 vs. 5,506), coho (1,000 vs. 3,703) and chum (10,000 vs. 13,981) and high for pink (70,000 vs. 60,947).
Noyes Island Seine Fishery
The District 4 (Noyes Island) seine fisherywas openlast week, and opened again on Mondayof this week for 39 hours. Mid-week 32 catch estimates include 53,000 sockeye, 6,500 coho, 360,000 pinks, 22,000 chum and 1,800 chinook for a fleet of 65 vessels.
Area 4 (Skeena River)
The pre-season total Skeena sockeye return estimate is below average with a pre-season return forecast point estimate of 1.28 million (50% probability) based on the sibling model. Another relatively good showing of sockeye migrated past Tyee this week, bringing the total estimated escapement to 1,222,195 sockeye. With an estimated 87.7% of the run having passed Tyee by August 8th, based on average run timing, and a total estimated Area 4 harvest of 96,663 sockeye, the current total return to Canada estimate increased to1.48 million.
Net Fisheries:
At the current TRTC estimate of 1.48 million, the remaining Canadian TAC is approximately 45,000 sockeye. Gillnets fishedTuesday to harvest available surplus sockeye. No extension was permitted.
Area 4 Gillnet Catch Estimates
Sockeye Salmon / Coho Salmon / Pink Salmon / Chum Salmon / Chinook Salmon / SteelheadStat Week / Week of Year / Effort / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Rel
06/3 / 25 / Total for Week / 42 / 0 / 22 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 113 / 6 / 0
06/4 / 26 / Total for Week / 72 / 0 / 97 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 279 / 0 / 0
07/2 / 28 / Total for Week / 230 / 10568 / 0 / 5389 / 20 / 11765 / 15 / 0 / 269 / 0 / 213 / 75
07/3 / 29 / Total for Week / 200 / 10248 / 0 / 1072 / 6 / 8440 / 44 / 0 / 323 / 0 / 99 / 136
07/4 / 30 / Total for Week / 257 / 38119 / 0 / 1933 / 22 / 27512 / 0 / 0 / 397 / 0 / 221 / 316
08/1 / 32 / Total for Week / 274 / 37728 / 0 / 1575 / 0 / 16646 / 0 / 0 / 232 / 0 / 16 / 741
Total for Management Area 4 in Period / 1075 / 96663 / 119 / 9969 / 48 / 64363 / 59 / 0 / 1221 / 392 / 555 / 1268
There have yet to be any seine opportunities in Area 4. With a remaining surplus of Skeena sockeye, based on the current TRTC projection, an ITQ opportunity for seines is available. DFO management is currently in the process of determining the available quota and is anticipating seine fishing to commence later this week.
Skeena Inland Demonstration Fisheries
Both the Lake Babine Nation (LBN) and the Gitksan Watershed Authority (GWA) are participating in inland demonstration fisheries to fish selectively for Sockeye in the Skeena watershed this year. Future sockeye allocations will be issued to both groups based on Area 4 marine commercial gillnet fishery catch.
The NCSFNSS’s demonstration fishery will also receive another two sockeye allocations later this week.
Sockeye allocations and Catches to date:
First Nation / # GN Licences / Allocation / CatchLBN / 49.3 / 998 / 998
Gitskan / 32.3 / 2,839 / 2,767
Recreational Fisheries:
The Area 3 and 4 creel survey began on June 1st. For July, effort was the highest recorded since the creel started in 2010, at 5,082 boat trips. The estimated chinook catch of 3,111 is below the 2010 – 2015 mean of 4,304. The estimated coho catch of 21,304 is well above the 2010 – 2015 mean of 16,615 coho. Regular daily retention limits apply for salmon in Area 3 and 4 tidal waters.
The Skeena River recreational creel survey began on June 1st, with interviews beginning June 4th. Preliminary results indicate ~1,166 large chinook (S.E. 164) were caught in June, of which 97% were retained. In addition, ~554 jack chinook were caught, of which 64% were retained. The only other species recorded as being caught was sockeye, of which ~104 were landed and kept. The total effort in June (45,464 angler-hours) has been observed in the most recent 2 years, and was higher than any other previous year of this study. July results are still not available.
Tyee Test Fishery:
The Tyee Test Fishery maximum water temperature remained at 17oC whilethe Secchi disk reading indicated turbidity has stabilized at moderate levels (700-950mm). The 2016 Tyee test fishery daily and cumulative sockeye escapement estimate data, along with 2016 escapement indices by species, are available here:
Tyee test fishery cumulative index to August 8th:
Sockeye / Coho / Pink / Chum / Lg Chinook / Steelhead2016 / 1126.3 / 42.8 / 236.0 / 30.1 / 81.0 / 115.5
2000’s Avg. / 1613.9 / 21.3 / 218.8 / 12.8 / 277.0 / 58.9
1990's Avg. / 1025.9 / 14.0 / 199.7 / 17.4 / 219.9 / 50.2
1980's Avg. / 1397.6 / 27.6 / 207.3 / 19.0 / 175.0 / 67.2
Kitwanga Weir
The Gitanyow Fisheries Authority began operating the Kitwanga weir on July 5th. Currently, the Water levels in the Kitwanga River for have stable but very low, among some of the lowest levels we have ever recorded for this time of year (2004-2015). Presently, the water level is 0.55m, approximately 0.17m below normal or 25% lower than average (see KSEF Water Stage – 2016 graph below for more detail). Water temperatures in the Kitwanga River appear to be average for this time of year and are currently fluctuating between 11-18°C. As of August 7th, 128 large chinook, 7 jack chinook,15 sockeye, 3 pink, 2 cohoand 1 chum have passed through the weir. A complete and thorough update provided by the Gitanyow Fisheries Authority is available here:
Slamgeesh Weir
The 2016 adult fish weir will be assembled in late July and run until the end of October.
Babine Fence
The Babine Fence became operational on July 6th and has since counted 207,970 large sockeye, 788 jack sockeye, 995 pinks, 5 coho, 32 large chinook and 73 jack chinook. On August 8st, water temperature increased slightly compared to the previous week, ranging from 15.1– 17.1oC. Minimum water level has dropped by 10 cm since last week,and currently is measured to be 0.87m.
Sustut Weir
The Province of BC will be operating the Sustut weir again this year. It is typically operational in early August.
Area 6
Area 6 stream walks are currently on-going. In summary, the early timing pink escapements look good. The Quaal River is having a poor return of pinks after a very strong brood. The Quaal River chums were looking really good on the July 26 inspection but went downhill fast. Should be seeing pinks around Kiskosh but the water level there is very low. Kitkiata pinks are starting to build in the lower pools but may have a problem with the high water temp.
Net Fisheries:
Gillnets fished sub-area 6-1 on Monday, with 6 vessels attending. Catches declined from previous weeks, with a total catch of 682 chum and 407 pinks. The fishery closed after the one day, with assessment continuing. Kitimat river chums are experiencing high levels of fungal growth, though there is no evidence of pre-spawn mortality. Nonetheless, future openings will be dependent on stock status and Kitimat Hatchery requirements.
Area 6 Gill Net Catch Estimates
Sockeye Salmon / Coho Salmon / Pink Salmon / Chum Salmon / Chinook Salmon / SteelheadStat Week / Week of Year / Effort / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Rel
07/3 / 29 / Total for Week / 60 / 0 / 96 / 0 / 20 / 3829 / 0 / 10485 / 0 / 7 / 12 / 1
07/4 / 30 / Total for Week / 43 / 0 / 92 / 0 / 17 / 4991 / 0 / 7975 / 0 / 6 / 18 / 1
07/5 / 31 / Total for Week / 109 / 0 / 361 / 0 / 71 / 15912 / 0 / 17095 / 0 / 27 / 0 / 0
08/1 / 32 / Total for Week / 6 / 0 / 19 / 0 / 11 / 407 / 0 / 682 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Total for Management Area 6 in Period / 218 / 0 / 568 / 0 / 119 / 25139 / 0 / 36237 / 0 / 40 / 30 / 2
A 1 day seine opening took place this week, with diminishing catches of pinks for the fleet of 16 vessels. The fishery is closed for the rest of the week to allow outer Area 6 pinks to escape into their home rivers.
Area 6 Seine Catch EstimatesSockeye Salmon / Coho Salmon / Pink Salmon / Chum Salmon / Chinook Salmon / Steelhead
Stat Week / Week of Year / Effort / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Rel
07/3 / 29 / Total for Week / 23 / 0 / 2047 / 0 / 440 / 81795 / 0 / 0 / 29018 / 0 / 83 / 42
07/4 / 30 / Total for Week / 28 / 0 / 3161 / 0 / 510 / 130508 / 0 / 0 / 5062 / 0 / 39 / 9
07/5 / 31 / Total for Week / 54 / 0 / 3089 / 0 / 1510 / 187856 / 0 / 0 / 11710 / 0 / 37 / 13
08/1 / 32 / Total for Week / 16 / 0 / 518 / 0 / 369 / 26755 / 0 / 0 / 1325 / 0 / 2 / 3
Total for Management Area 6 in Period / 121 / 0 / 8815 / 0 / 2829 / 426914 / 0 / 0 / 47115 / 0 / 161 / 67
Recreational Fisheries:
Sports fishermen around Kitimat had a good showing of coho in Douglas Channel and the lower end of Sue Channel through last week but are reporting that they are hardly catching any this week. Chinook fishing in the outside waters is still pretty good. The pink catches have also dropped off.
Area 7
Net Fisheries:
The fishery will be opened again this week for seines and gillnets, but with poor early showing of chum in Area 7, the fishery closed after 1 day.
Area 7 Gillnet Catch EstimatesSockeye Salmon / Coho Salmon / Pink Salmon / Chum Salmon / Chinook Salmon / Steelhead
Stat Week / Week of Year / Effort / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Rel
07/5 / 31 / Total for Week / 7 / 20 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 96 / 17 / 2358 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0
08/1 / 32 / Total for Week / 36 / 99 / 10 / 0 / 60 / 708 / 0 / 7166 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 3
Total for Management Area 7 in Period / 43 / 119 / 10 / 0 / 60 / 804 / 17 / 9524 / 0 / 3 / 0 / 3
Area 7 Seine Catch Estimates
Sockeye Salmon / Coho Salmon / Pink Salmon / Chum Salmon / Chinook Salmon / SteelheadStat Week / Week of Year / Effort / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Rel
07/5 / 31 / Total for Week / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
08/1 / 32 / Total for Week / 15 / 0 / 74 / 0 / 172 / 3612 / 0 / 4432 / 0 / 0 / 118 / 0
Total for Management Area 7 in Period / 15 / 0 / 74 / 0 / 172 / 3612 / 0 / 4432 / 0 / 0 / 118 / 0
Recreational Fisheries:
No report
Area 8
Net Fisheries:
Area 8 was open Monday this week to gillnets and seines. High gear counts (140 gillnets and 30 seines) and dropping catches resulted in closure of the fishery after 1 day.
Area 8 Gillnet Catch Estimates
Sockeye Salmon / Coho Salmon / Pink Salmon / Chum Salmon / Chinook Salmon / SteelheadStat Week / Week of Year / Effort / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Kept / Rel / Rel
06/1 / 23 / Total for Week / 11 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8 / 0 / 32 / 0 / 0
06/2 / 24 / Total for Week / 15 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 28 / 0 / 39 / 0 / 0
06/3 / 25 / Total for Week / 20 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 227 / 0 / 90 / 0 / 0
06/4 / 26 / Total for Week / 29 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 951 / 0 / 144 / 0 / 0
07/1 / 27 / Total for Week / 31 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2774 / 0 / 298 / 0 / 1
07/2 / 28 / Total for Week / 55 / 76 / 13 / 0 / 3 / 189 / 4 / 12987 / 0 / 330 / 2 / 15
07/3 / 29 / Total for Week / 180 / 810 / 101 / 0 / 27 / 5798 / 555 / 42392 / 0 / 450 / 9 / 78
07/4 / 30 / Total for Week / 200 / 1756 / 261 / 0 / 43 / 14052 / 3077 / 50120 / 0 / 616 / 3 / 43
07/5 / 31 / Total for Week / 231 / 1387 / 168 / 2 / 110 / 24838 / 3648 / 91657 / 74 / 589 / 17 / 56
08/1 / 32 / Total for Week / 356 / 984 / 77 / 2 / 425 / 18933 / 3157 / 72217 / 4 / 478 / 17 / 83
Total for Management Area 8 in Period / 1128 / 5013 / 620 / 4 / 608 / 63810 / 10441 / 273361 / 78 / 3066 / 48 / 276
Area 8 Seine Catch Estimates