TOctober 22, 2008
To: Distribution
Test fishing results for Interior Fraser Steelhead in the Albion chum test fishery are illustrated below in Figure 1. The total number of steelhead captured since test fishing began on September 1 is seven (7). There are 15 years of test fishing records for the month of September. In comparison to these other years, this year currently ranks 11th (Table 1).
There are 30 years of test fishing records for the period of October 1st onward. This period usually encompasses the mid and later part of the Interior Fraser Steelhead run. In comparison to these other years, this year currently ranks last, 30th (Table 2). The inconsistency between the two ranks is because almost all of the steelhead captured to date have been caught in September.
Peak of abundance at the test fishery location is expected to occur on October 10 and the majority of the run (95%) is expected to last from September 7 to November 11 (Figure 2).
At this time, the chance of exceeding the abundance threshold of 850 spawners remains at 20%. Therefore, the Thompson River steelhead sport fishery is expected to remain closed. Monitoring will continue and further updates will be provided.
Chum salmon fisheries that are expected to intercept steelhead in 2008 include those scheduled to occur in or about the month of October in Johnstone Strait, West Coast Vancouver Island, Juan de Fuca Strait, north Puget Sound, and Fraser River. Johnstone
Strait chum fisheries commenced on October 2. West Coast Vancouver Island fisheries near Nitinat commenced on September 29. North Puget Sound gillnet and seine fisheries for chum salmon around the San Juan Islands and Point Roberts commenced on October 10. In the Fraser River, First Nation food and ceremonial fisheries using gillnets commenced on October 4. Fraser River commercial gillnet fisheries for chum salmon have not commenced to conserve Interior Fraser Steelhead.
Further updates will be provided.
Robert Bison
Biologist
Fish & Wildlife Branch
Thompson Nicola Region
To: Distribution
Test fishing results for Interior Fraser Steelhead in the Albion chum test fishery are illustrated below in Figure 1. The total number of steelhead captured since test fishing began on September 1 is seven (7). There are 15 years of test fishing records for the month of September. In comparison to these other years, this year currently ranks 11th (Table 1).
There are 30 years of test fishing records for the period of October 1st onward. This period usually encompasses the mid and later part of the Interior Fraser Steelhead run. In comparison to these other years, this year currently ranks last, 30th (Table 2). The inconsistency between the two ranks is because almost all of the steelhead captured to date have been caught in September.
Peak of abundance at the test fishery location is expected to occur on October 10 and the majority of the run (95%) is expected to last from September 7 to November 11 (Figure 2).
At this time, the chance of exceeding the abundance threshold of 850 spawners remains at 20%. Therefore, the Thompson River steelhead sport fishery is expected to remain closed. Monitoring will continue and further updates will be provided.
Chum salmon fisheries that are expected to intercept steelhead in 2008 include those scheduled to occur in or about the month of October in Johnstone Strait, West Coast Vancouver Island, Juan de Fuca Strait, north Puget Sound, and Fraser River. Johnstone
Strait chum fisheries commenced on October 2. West Coast Vancouver Island fisheries near Nitinat commenced on September 29. North Puget Sound gillnet and seine fisheries for chum salmon around the San Juan Islands and Point Roberts commenced on October 10. In the Fraser River, First Nation food and ceremonial fisheries using gillnets commenced on October 4. Fraser River commercial gillnet fisheries for chum salmon have not commenced to conserve Interior Fraser Steelhead.
Further updates will be provided.
Robert Bison
Biologist
Fish & Wildlife Branch
Thompson Nicola Region
