Here is the Nass Update #2 for 2009 provided courtesy of Nisga'a Fisheries.
Of note is the concerns raised by Nisga'a Fisheries to DFO regarding low chum salmon returns.
Information courtesy/copyright Nisga'a Fisheries
2009 NASS STOCK ASSESSMENT UPDATE
Attached is a stock assessment summary update for the Nass River (pdf format) from the Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife Department of Nisga’a Lisims Government . Sayt K'il'im Goot – one heart, one path, one nation.
All data presented in this update are preliminary and subject to change with further assessment information that becomes available and should be interpreted cautiously for in-season assessment purposes only.
ESCAPEMENT UPDATES AND FISHERY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM NISGA’A FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LINK:
ftp://ftp.lgl.com/Nass_Stock_Assessment_Updates
(Note: It is recommended to refresh link (F5) each time & copy files to your machine before opening).
NASS FISHWHEEL (AND MEZIADIN FISHWAY) OPERATIONAL NOTES:
Fishwheel (and Meziadin Fishway) assessment data up to Thursday 16 July 2009.
GITWINKSIHLKW (GW) FISHWHEELS (TEST FISHERY - 16TH YEAR): Fishwheels 1 and 2 were started on 1 June for tagging and historical catch index assessments for salmon and steelhead. The fishwheels were shutdown during the high water period (2-15 June) and re-started on 16 June. Fishwheels 1 and 2 are currently operating well at just above average water levels (2.9 m vs. 2.6 m average (92-08)). All fish caught in the Gitwinksihlkw fishwheels have been released.
GREASE HARBOUR (GH) FISHWHEELS (~17 KM UPSTREAM OF TEST FISHERY): Up to four fishwheels will operate at Grease Harbour (upstream of Ts'im Anwiihlist) in 2009 for in-season mark-recapture tag recoveries and some selective harvesting of sockeye, Chinook and coho based on Nisga’a entitlement levels and targets as directed by Nisga’a Lisims Government. The GH fishwheel start-up dates were: 17 June (FW6), 23 June (FW3), 25 June (FW5) and 7 July (FW4). All four fishwheels are currently operational.
NASS SOCKEYE SALMON:
The Nass sockeye run size estimate to Gitwinksihlkw to 16 July (134,211) is currently tracking above average (128,000) based on a mean run size to Gitwinksihlkw of 278,000 from 1994 to 2008.
The run size estimate is a combination of mark-recapture and historical catch indices methods. Note that mark-recapture estimates will change over a 5 day period due to mark rates stabilizing at Grease Harbour as fish tagged at Gitwinksihlkw pass the upstream Grease Harbour fishwheel sites over a 5 day period. After the mark rate stabilizes, the daily estimate is better at predicting actual catch efficiencies at the GW fishwheels than the historical indices. As such we will use historical catch efficiencies during the 5 d fluctuating period while mark-recapture estimates are stabilizing for less fluctuating estimates that are reported. Currently, mark-recapture estimates are final to 11 July and later dates will fluctuate as additional catch and tag recovery data become available from the GH fishwheels. A spreadsheet of the calculations and range of estimates is provided in the attachment.
The recommended run size target for adult Nass sockeye to Gitwinksihlkw is 275,000 depending on harvests projected above Gitwinksihlkw. Although the net escapement goal (200,000) for Nass sockeye has been achieved at lower in-season aggregate run size targets (225,000 – 250,000) in seven of the past nine years since the implementation of the Nisga’a treaty, the Meziadin goal (160,000) has only been achieved in two years of the past nine years. Therefore, Nisga’a Fisheries has recommended to DFO that the run size target be increased to 275,000 to have a greater certainty of reaching the Meziadin River escapement which has represented 51% to 85% (avg. is 68%) of the total Nass sockeye aggregate population since 1994.
Nisga’a Fisheries is estimating that approximately 45% (93-08 median) of the Nass sockeye run has passed Gitwinksihlkw to date. Using final mark-recapture estimates to 11 July, preliminary forecast methods are currently predicting a reasonable probability of reaching the run size target to Gitwinksihlkw (275,000) with estimates of 303,000 (mean run timing method - range 281,000-381,000) and 303,000 (in-season to final method) using two different methods. Forecast estimates are beginning to stabilize.
The net escapement estimate for Nass sockeye to date is ~113,000. The current net escapement target is ~200,000 (160,000 to Meziadin River and ~40,000 to non-Meziadin systems).
Meziadin Fishway opened on 1 July for escapement counts to the river. Total counts of sockeye at Meziadin to 16 July are: 41,825 adults (743 tags) and 6 jacks. The 2009 cumulative adult count to date is above average (22,000) based on mean counts at the Meziadin Fishway from 1994 to 2008. However, less commercial fishing effort at the start of the run occurred in 2009 compared to past years that may have allowed more fish to enter the river earlier than other years. The average count of adult sockeye from 1994 to 2008 is 169,000. Nisga’a Fisheries estimates that ~9% of the Meziadin sockeye run has reached the Fishway to date based on mean counts from 1990 to 2008.
Nisga’a Fisheries is using a preliminary Total Return to Canada (TRTC) estimate for Nass sockeye of between 511,000 (pre-season) and 514,000 (in-season) for tracking the current Nisga’a entitlement of Nass sockeye of ~86,000 to 87,000. The 2009 pre-season TRTC return was expected to be below average (636,000) based on TRTC returns from 1994 to 2008.
Nisga’a food fish (FSC) harvesting is open for all salmon species and is anticipated to reach between 25,000 and 30,000 for Nass sockeye in 2009. Given that the total FSC amount is projected to not exceed the total Nisga’a entitlement estimate for 2009, the remaining entitlement (~56,000 sockeye) is available for sale fisheries. Therefore, the Director of Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife Department has opened the Nisga’a individual and communal-sale fisheries for harvesting Nass sockeye as announced by the Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife Department.
The total Nisga’a harvest estimate of Nass sockeye to date is 33,320. The total includes FSC catch (7,898) to week ending 11 July and sale fishery catch estimates to date (20,473 from individual sales and 4,949 from communal sales from GH fishwheels). The next Nisga’a catch estimate for week ending 18 July will be updated on Wednesday, 22 July.
Seven 12-hr Nisga’a marine individual sale fisheries have occurred to date: 25 June (33 boats), 26 June (33 boats), 2 July (30 boats), 3 July (30 boats), 9 July (25 boats), 10 July (23 boats) and 16 July (17 boats) in Area 3-12. Recent catch data for the 16 July fishery was: 964 sockeye, 10,974 pink, 9 coho and 7 Chinook. Total harvests in the Nisga’a marine sale fisheries to date are: 15,128 sockeye; 16,693 pink; 240 Chinook and 20 coho. The next opening of the marine sale fishery was announced for Friday, 17 July in Area 3-12.
Two 10-hr Nisga’a in-river individual sale fisheries have occurred to date: 8 July and 15 July. An in-river sale opening is occurring on Friday, 17 July followed by another opening on Sunday, 19 July. An announcement of any future openings will occur on Monday, 20 July at 2 pm.
Area 3 commercial fisheries conducted in 2009 to date have been 8 gillnet [16 June (146 boats), 23 June (224 boats), 29 June (253 boats), 30 June (253), 6 July (264 boats), 7 July (229 boats), 13 July (258 boats) and 14 July (224 boats)] and 2 seine [13 July (14 boats) and 16 July (32 boats)). Total in-season commercial harvest estimates in Area 3 to date are: 82,578 sockeye; 160,581 pink; 43,591 chum and 1,128 Chinook (source of data is from DFO Prince Rupert Fisheries Management).
Alaskan gillnet fisheries in Districts 101 (Tree Point) and 106 (Sumner and Upper Clarence) began on 21 June and 15 June, respectively. Alaskan seine fisheries opening dates were: Districts 101 (Lower Clarence/Revilla; opened on 5 July), 102 (Middle Clarence; opened on 21 June), 103 (Cordova; not opened yet) and 104 (Noyes/Dall; opened on 5 July).
Total in-season harvest estimates of sockeye in southeast Alaskan gillnet and seine fisheries in the above Districts is 114,000 based on data to week ending 28 (11 July) on the ADFG website. An attachment is provided showing the in-season breakout of catch by the respective district areas. The reported catches are about average (116,000) to the week ending period. The average total catch of sockeye in southeast Alaskan fisheries is 660,000 sockeye from 1999 to 2008. Of the Alaskan total catch of sockeye, Nisga’a Fisheries estimates that approximately 40,000 are Nass sockeye based on average stock % data (1982-07) and is below average (56,000) to date. The average total catch of Nass sockeye in Alaskan fisheries is 156,000 from 1999 to 2008.
NASS CHINOOK SALMON:
The Nass Chinook run size estimate to Gitwinksihlkw (21,568) is tracking just above average (21,000) to 16 July based on a mean run size to Gitwinksihlkw of 23,000 from 1994 to 2008. The run size target for Nass Chinook to Gitwinksihlkw is 17,000 depending on harvests projected above Gitwinksihlkw and has been reached based on in-season data. The in-season tracking of the Nass Chinook run to Gitwinksihlkw is predicting about 23,000 as the final in-season run size total to Gitwinksihlkw using the two methods (in-season to final method=23,000; mean run timing method=23,000 (range 22,000-24,000)]. Nisga’a Fisheries estimates that 94% (93-08 median) of the run has passed Gitwinksihlkw to date.
The net escapement estimate for Nass Chinook is 19,418. The net escapement target for Nass Chinook above Grease Harbour is ~15,000 and has been reached based on in-season data.
Total counts of Chinook at Meziadin Fishway to 16 July are: 17 adults (0 tags). The 2009 cumulative adult count to date is currently below average (27) based on mean counts at the Meziadin Fishway from 1994 to 2008. The average count of adult Chinook at Meziadin Fishway from 1994 to 2008 is 480. The fishwheel mean-run timing forecast is predicting ~500 Chinook (range: 480-520) to reach the Fishway based on current escapement passed GW and estimated mean stock composition (2.6%; 1994 to 2008). Nisga’a Fisheries estimates that ~5% of the Meziadin Chinook run has passed the Fishway to date based on mean counts from 1990 to 2008. Mark-recapture data for final escapement estimates will be based primarily on Meziadin and Kwinageese weir counts and tag recovery information. Kwinageese weir operations began on 12 July. No updates on fish counts are available at this time.
The Kincolith video-counting fence is projected to begin operations within the next few days for collecting escapement data for the Kincolith River and providing an index of escapement of salmon to coastal streams in Area 3. Nisga’a Fisheries estimates that ~39% (~425) of the Kincolith Chinook run may have passed to date as escapement. This estimate is based on the reconstructed mean run timing to 17 July from past operations (2001, 2002, 2005-2008). A mark-recapture study is currently being conducted on Kincolith Chinook to estimate the number of Chinook that has passed to the spawning areas prior to the weir beginning operation.
Nisga’a Fisheries is using a preliminary TRTC estimate for Nass Chinook of between 31,000 (in-season) and 48,000 (pre-season) for tracking the Nisga’a entitlement of Nass Chinook. The 2009 pre-season TRTC estimate was forecasting for an above average (36,000) return, based on TRTC returns from 1994 to 2008; but in-season assessments are suggesting a below average return. Uncertainty of marine commercial and recreational catches of Nass Chinook make it difficult to accurately estimate in-season TRTC estimates for Nass Chinook. However, based on the current TRTC estimate for 2009, the Nisga’a entitlement of Nass Chinook is between ~7,000 and ~10,000. An additional allocation is also available as an underage (3,900) provision based on past year’s management uncertainty allowances; however, underages would only be targeted in productive return years as assessed during the season.
The Nisga’a harvest estimate of Nass Chinook to date is 3,675. The total includes FSC catch (2,226) to week ending 11 July and sale fishery catch estimates to date (418 from individual sales and 1031 from communal sales from GH fishwheels).
Area 3 commercial gillnet harvest of Chinook to date is 1128 (558 released). No estimates of the Nass component are currently available to Nisga’a Fisheries.
Total in-season harvest estimate of Chinook in southeast Alaskan gillnet and seine fisheries in Districts 101 to 104 is 3,233 based on data to week ending 28 (11 July) on the ADFG website. Reported catches are just above average (2,900) to date. The average total catch of Chinook in southeast Alaskan gillnets and seine fisheries in Districts 101 to 104 is ~13,000 Chinook from 2000 to 2008. No estimates of the Nass component are currently available to Nisga’a Fisheries.
NASS COHO SALMON:
The fishwheel catch of coho salmon (6) to 16 July is currently tracking just below average (10) based on returns from 2000 to 2008. The run size estimate of Nass coho to Gitwinksihlkw to 11 July is <100 with <1% (93-08 median) of the run estimate to have passed Gitwinksihlkw to date. The run size target for Nass coho to Gitwinksihlkw is ~65,000 depending on harvests projected above Gitwinksihlkw and during typical Gitwinksihlkw fishwheel operation (July to early-mid September) as coho continue to pass the fishwheels after fishwheels end operation. The mean run size to Gitwinksihlkw from 1994 to 2008 is 68,000.
The in-season run size estimate for Nass coho will be a combination of mark-recapture and historical catch indices methods. The mark-recapture estimates will fluctuate over a 7 day period due to mark rates stabilizing at Grease Harbour as coho tagged at Gitwinksihlkw pass the upstream Grease Harbour fishwheel sites over the 7 day period.
The net escapement estimate for Nass coho is <100. The net escapement target for Nass coho above Grease Harbour is ~60,000 during typical operations of the Gitwinksihlkw fishwheels from July to first or second week of September.
Total counts of coho at Meziadin Fishway to 16 July are: 0 adults (0 tags) and 0 jacks. The 2009 cumulative adult count to date is the same as the average (0) based on mean counts at the Meziadin Fishway from 1994 to 2008. The average count of adult coho at Meziadin Fishway from 1994 to 2008 is 3700. Coho begin passing the Fishway in late August.
Nisga’a Fisheries is currently using a preliminary TRTC estimate for Nass coho of 119,000 (pre-season) for tracking the Nisga’a entitlement of Nass coho that is ~9,500. An additional allocation is also available as an underage (6,263) provision based on past year’s management uncertainty allowances; however, underages would only be targeted in productive return years as assessed during the season. The 2009 TRTC estimate is projecting for a below average (162,000) return based on TRTC returns from 1994 to 2008. Uncertainty of marine commercial and recreational catches and lower/coastal Nass coho escapement make it difficult to accurately estimate in-season TRTC estimates for Nass coho. However, forecast methods continue to be developed to assist in reaching escapement and entitlement targets.
The Nisga’a harvest estimate of Nass coho to date is 62. The total includes FSC catch (42) to week ending 11 July and sale fishery catch estimates to date (20 from individual sales and 0 from communal sales from GH fishwheels)..
Area 3 commercial gillnet and seine harvests of coho to date are 0 (4853 released). No estimates of the Nass component are available to Nisga’a Fisheries.
Total in-season harvest estimate of coho in Southeast Alaskan gillnet and seine fisheries in Districts 101 to 104 is 37,500 based on data to week ending 28 (11 July) on the ADFG website. Reported catches are about average (38,000) to date. The average total catch of coho in southeast Alaskan gillnets and seine fisheries in Districts 101 to 104 is ~370,000 coho from 2000 to 2008. No estimates of the Nass component are available to Nisga’a Fisheries.
NASS PINK SALMON:
The fishwheel catch (92) of pink salmon to 16 July is below the mean catch (1500) for odd-year returns from 2000 to 2008. However, pink catches in marine areas indicate good abundances are expected to reach the Gitwinksihlkw fishwheels soon.
Nisga’a Fisheries is currently using the pre-season TRTC estimate for Nass pinks of 1,053,000 for tracking the Nisga’a entitlement (129,000) of Nass area pinks. The 2009 TRTC estimate is projecting to be just below average (1,150,000) based on TRTC returns of odd year pinks from 1995 to 2007.
Note that pre-season and in-season forecasting of Nass area pinks are poorly developed for Area 3 currently. Nisga’a Fisheries is developing in-season methods with DFO for better predicting the magnitude of returns in the future based on fishwheel mean catches, Kincolith weir counts and any stream survey information that can be collected (primarily from late July and early August data) to aid in managing Nass area pinks and tracking the Nisga’a entitlement.
The Nisga’a harvest estimate of Nass pinks to date is 17,788. The total includes FSC catch (1095) to week ending 11 July and sale fishery catch estimates to date (16,693 from individual sales fisheries).
Area 3 commercial gillnet and seine harvest of pink to date are: 160,581 (546 released).
Total in-season harvest estimate of pink salmon in Southeast Alaskan gillnet and seine fisheries in Districts 101 to 104 is 198,000 based on data to week ending 28 (11 July) on the ADFG website. Reported catches are below average (618,000) for week ending period. The average total catch of pink in southeast Alaskan gillnet and seine fisheries in Districts 101 to 104 is ~28,000,000 pink from 1999 to 2008. No estimates of the Nass component are available to Nisga’a Fisheries.
NASS CHUM SALMON:
The fishwheel catch of chum salmon (1) to 16 July is below the mean catch (4) level based on total fishwheel catches from 2000 to 2008.
Nisga’a Fisheries is currently using the pre-season TRTC estimate for Nass chum of 56,000 for tracking the Nisga’a entitlement (4,480) of Nass chum. The 2009 TRTC estimate is projecting a below average (93,000) return based on TRTC returns from 1994 to 2008. In addition, for the past two years the returns of Nass area chum have been well below the minimum escapement goal and concern for stock status has been raised by Nisga’a Fisheries to DFO. The overall stock status of Nass area chum since 2000 has prevented the opportunity to utilize the Nisga’a entitlement underages (~28,000) that occurred in the early years of implementing the Nisga’a treaty (2000 to 2002). When returns have been above the escapement goal, the majority of the Nisga’a entitlement of Nass area chum has been foregone since 2002 in an attempt to rebuild stocks.
Note that pre-season and in-season forecasting of Nass area chums are poorly developed for Area 3. No reliable methods are currently available to estimate escapement during the season, track the status of the run or the Nisga’a entitlement.
The Nisga’a harvest estimate of Nass chum to date is 59. The total includes FSC catch (59) to week ending 11 July. No Nisga’a sale fisheries for Nass chum are being permitted in 2009 to allow stock rebuilding in Area 3.
Area 3 commercial gillnet harvest of chum to date is 43,591 (10,565 released). No estimates of the Nass component are available to Nisga’a Fisheries.
Total in-season harvest estimate of chum in Southeast Alaskan gillnet and seine fisheries in Districts 101 to 104 is 516,000 based on data to week ending 28 (11 July) on the ADFG website. Reported catches are well above average (263,000) to week ending period reported. The average total catch of chum in Southeast Alaskan gillnets and seine fisheries in Districts 101 to 104 is ~1,540,000 chum from 1999 to 2008. No estimates of the Nass component are available to Nisga’a Fisheries.
NASS SUMMER-RUN STEELHEAD:
In-season run size estimates or other information presented for Nass steelhead are only for summer runs (i.e., do not include any estimates for winter or spring run steelhead) and only cover return information from July to September when the fishwheels typically operate.
The fishwheel catch of Nass steelhead (11) to 16 July is above average (8) based on fishwheel operations from 2000 to 2008. It is too early to estimate the Nass summer-run steelhead run size estimate to Gitwinksihlkw as summer runs typically do not begin passing Gitwinksihlkw until mid-July. During typical Gitwinksihlkw fishwheel operation (July to early to mid September), the preliminary run size target for Nass summer-run steelhead to Gitwinksihlkw is ~4,200 depending on any losses projected above Gitwinksihlkw. The mean run size estimate to Gitwinksihlkw from 1994 to 2008 is ~8,500.
The run size estimates will be a combination of mark-recapture and historical catch indices methods at GW fishwheels. Mark rates derived from the coho assessment program are used to generate summer-run steelhead estimates that assume similar catchability between coho and steelhead at the GW fishwheels based on similar run timing patterns. Mark-rate sample sizes are much larger and more reliable for coho than using steelhead mark rate data. Steelhead run size estimates will change over a 7 day period due to coho mark rates stabilizing at Grease Harbour as tagged fish at Gitwinksihlkw pass the upstream Grease Harbour fishwheel sites over a 7 day period.
The net run size estimate above Grease Harbour for Nass summer-run steelhead is negligible to date. The net run size target for Nass summer-run steelhead above Grease Harbour is ~4,000 during typical operations of the Gitwinksihlkw fishwheels from July to first or second week of September.
Total counts of steelhead at Meziadin Fishway to date are: 0 adults (0 adipose marks). The 2009 cumulative adult count (0) to date is the same as the average (0) based on mean counts at the Meziadin Fishway from 1994 to 2008. The average count of steelhead during operation of Meziadin Fishway (July to mid-October) from 1994 to 2008 is 30. Steelhead begin passing the Fishway in late August.
The Nisga’a harvest estimate of Nass steelhead to week ending 11 July is 50. The average harvest of Nass summer-run steelhead in Nisga’a Fisheries is ~400 from 1994 to 2008.
The next Nass River stock assessment update is planned for: Friday, 24 July. Regular escapement updates (20 July & 22 July) will also be available at the above website link.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Nass Update
Fishery Notice Areas 3&4
Fishery Notice announcing Gillnet Opening #9 in Area 3, plus the continued closure of Area 4 Skeena due to low sockeye escapement numbers.
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0526-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Area C Gillnet - Areas 3, 4, & 6
Area 4
Due to low escapements to date, there is no commercial fishery planned at this time for Area 4.
Area 3
Gill nets open 16 hours, 06:00 hours to 22:00 hours Monday July 20 in Subarea 3-7 (closed within one nautical mile of the shore of Wales Island and within 0.5 nautical miles of the shore of Pearse Island), 3-11, a portion of 3-12 (closed within 0.5 nautical miles of the shore of Pearse Island), 3-13, & 3-17. Max mesh 137 mm. Max depth 60 meshes, Max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 0 cm max 45 cm; or, max depth 90 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 1.2 m, max 1.5 m. If using 90 mesh net, every fifth cork on corkline must be red or another distinctive colour (not white). V.O.# 2009-NCSAL-021
Subarea 3-12 is closed to the retention and possession of chum salmon. All chum salmon must be released to the water with the least possible harm. If a vessel has chum aboard from another Subarea, those fish must be offloaded prior to fishing in 3-12.
The target species in Area 3 is Nass sockeye. Gill net fisheries are being conducted with non-retention, non-possession of coho & steelhead. There are a number of weak chinook and chum stocks in Area 3 that are currently in the rebuilding phase. Fishers are requested to release all live chinook and chum to the water with the least possible harm. Operating revival boxes are mandatory and may be used to revive fish prior to release.
Gill netters should be aware that there is currently an at-sea observer program in operation in Area 3. Vessels that are requested to take an observer on board shall do so, in accordance with regulation.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Greedy steelhead guides 'want it all'
Off Topic, but interesting nonetheless: Kamchatka salmon
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/08/kamchatka-salmon/olson-photography
Not exactly Skeena oriented, but an interesting photo essay on salmon and some of the issues they face in Kamchatka
Tyee Graph #1 for 2009: to July 12th
Here is our first Tyee Steelhead Index graph for the 2009 season up to July 12th. We offer this with the long provisos copied below.
The Tyee Test Fishery has well known shortcomings ( we posted about this recently here: http://skeenafisheriesblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/tyee-test-fishery-uncertainty.html highlighted by last years 36% overestimate of the sockeye run.
As such, please take any information presented in the Tyee Steelhead Index with this in mind.
Also, please keep in mind that on the longterm data sets from Tyee, the errors, both over and under, are NOT corrected. So, the numbers and graph line for 2008 are a percentage (exactly what % we dont know) over what they should be.
The Tyee Test Fishery is a sockeye salmon test fishery; it is only calibrated for sockeye (Babine River Weir counts), although the DFO use data from all salmon species for management, and MOE does for steelhead. As such, Tyee catches are not standardized and therefore, comparing data between years or even individual days or gillnet sets is not valid in the strictest scientific sense. That said, the Tyee Test Fishery has been operated in the same manner since 1956 and a conventional gillnet vessel makes a 60 minute set with 200 fathoms (1200 feet) of net on every slack tide that occurs during daylight from early June to late August/early September.
The Tyee Test Fishery has developed a propensity to overstimate the sockeye runs. Since 1995, it has overestimated the Skeena sockeye run by an average of 20%. In 2008, this overestimate was 36%. These overestimates apply directly to the steelhead Index according to DFO but to what extent or percentage they have not clarified. Longterm data sets are not corrected for over/under estimates. This is done under the assumption that over the longterm they balance each other out(!)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Fishery Notice: Seine Pink Opening in Area 3
Fishery Notice announcing a seine opening in Area 3 for July 16. The red color is the open area.
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0513-Commercial - Salmon: Area A Seine - Area 3 Opening - July 16
Area 3
Seines open 16 hours 06:00 hours to 22:00 hours Thursday July 16 in Subareas 3-3 north and east of a line that begins at Elliott Pt on Somerville Island,
thence to 54 degrees 39 minutes north latitude and 130 degrees 37 minutes west longitude, thence true north to the International Boundary, 3-7, 3-9, 3-11, the
portion of 3-12 within 1.0 nautical miles of the Pearse Island shore, 3-13, and 3-17. Min bunt mesh 70 mm. V.O.# 2009-NCSAL-020
This is a pink directed fishery. Chinook, chum, coho, and steelhead mandatory release.
Seiners should be aware that there is currently an at-sea observer program in operation in Area 3. Vessels that are requested to take an observer on board
shall do so, in accordance with regulation.
NOTICE TO ALL SEINE FISH HARVESTERS:
Fishers are reminded when moving between areas with different non-retention and non-possession rules that they must always offload prior to fishing in the area
they are moving to.
Brailing and sorting your catch prior to placing fish in the hold is mandatory. Operating revival boxes are also mandatory, and may be used to revive fish
prior to release.
Vessel operators are reminded to keep wake and wash to a minimum in Prince Rupert Harbour, Porpoise Harbour and Venn Passage, and specifically the Digby Island and Metlakatla dock areas.
Vessel operators are reminded to display proper navigation lights and have them turned on from sunset to sunrise. Failure to display proper navigation lights
is a contravention of the Collision Regulations.
Fishers are reminded that a mandatory logbook and phone-in program is in place. Note that a phone report is required for all fishing activity even if no fish
are caught. Failure to report zero catches may result in over estimation of total catch. See your conditions of licence for more information.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is interested in reports of sea turtles in BC waters. By documenting sightings we are able to learn more about how, when, and
where these turtles are using our waters. If you see a sea turtle, please call this toll-free phone number: 1-866-I SAW ONE (1-866-472-9663) or e-mail
sightings@vanaqua.org. Please include information such as the type of sea turtle seen (i.e. leatherback), the location, and time of sighting.
Fishers are requested to avoid fishing among birds and not to run the net if birds are near the net. Fishers are requested to retain all dead birds which
are entangled and to release live and unharmed birds by placing them in the water. Please check all birds for metal bird bands (rings) on the leg. If a
bird is banded please contact Laurie Wilson with the band number and capture date and location at 1-866-431-2473 or by the email below. Handle birds with
gloves, double bag dead birds and label each bird with date, time, and location and store them on ice. Please call your local charter patrol to organize pick-
up or drop them off at a local DFO office. Alternatively, please send photographs of birds with a reference object such as a coin, and the date, time
and location to laurie.wilson@ec.gc.ca. Your names and vessel names do not need to be identified or included.
North Coast Salmon Update #5 to July 14th
Here is North Coast Salmon Update #5 up to July 14th provided courtesy of DFO Area Chief, North Coast.
North Coast Salmon Update – Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Please note that in-season updates always deal in preliminary numbers. Usually these change somewhat upon receipt and analysis of all the data.
Area 3
From Nisga’a Fisheries:
Cumulative run size estimates to Gitwinksihlkw (GW) up to July 5 are 118,500 sockeye (94-08 mean - 114,500) and 21,400 Chinook (94-08 mean - 20,300).
Meziadin Fishway started operations on 1 July and counts to 12 July are: 31,653 adult sockeye.
Current in-season total return to Canada (TRTC) estimates by Nisga'a Fisheries are currently projecting a much lower return, 483,000, for Nass sockeye to date than preseason sockeye (511,000) based on the abundance that has passed the fishwheels over the past few days. Chinook projected TRTC is 33,000 (vs. 48,000 pre-season) based on current catch and escapement information.
Area 3 commercial fishery:
Ttl gn catch to July 12:
Sockeye........... Coho........ Pink............. Chum.......... Chinook
58334...............0..........18060.............31357.............1100
July 13 & 14 – Gn open – Catches to come
July 13 – Sn open – Catches to come
Comparison GN fleet counts:
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
Jul 13 – 255 Jul 14 – 217 Jul 8 – 314 Jul 12 – 164 Jul 11 – 421 Jul 13- 289
Expected Nass sockeye return to Canada is now 483,000. 325,000 are reserved for escapement needs and fulfilling FSC and treaty requirements. This leaves approximately 158,000 available for commercial harvest. Of these, approximately 75% are expected to be harvested by gill net and 25% by seine. Therefore, the expectations are:
TTL TAC Gill net TAC Seine TAC
158,000 118,500 39,500
Caution must be used when using these numbers, because the calculation of the TRTC is on a downward trend. Less sockeye may be available than indicated here.
Approximate catch to date (after July 14): 75,000 gill net; 1700 seine
(97.8%) (2.2%)
Seines are currently behind about 23,000 sockeye in their allocative split.
Chum catches appear to have moderated, which is good from the perspective of fishing the target species (less releases).
Seines re-opening on Thursday, July 16, targeting pink salmon. Upper Chatham Sd closed to protect Skeena bound salmon.
Area 4
Sockeye escapement in the Skeena is estimated to be 205,177 by end of July 13. For spawning and FSC requirements we would want approximately 334,000 by now.
Due to low sockeye escapements, a number of management actions are being planned:
Troll retention of sockeye is being prohibited.
Recreational bag limits in the non-tidal portions of the Skeena are being reduced from 2/day to 1/day, in accordance with the IFMP. Reductions to zero may still occur, depending on the projected size of the sockeye run.
Area 3 net area has been reduced, keeping upper Chatham Sound closed.
All these management measures will be re-visited if the Skeena run size increases appropriately.
(to July 14) 2009 index 2000s average 90s average
Chum..........0.13 .......... 0.15 ...........0.17
Chinook.......146.91 ........223.86 ..........178.63
Steelhead.......3.99 .........3.62 .......... 5.28
Area 6
Douglas Channel (6-1) opened for gn Mon – Tue. 14 gn vessels attended Mon, average catch was 186 chum, therefore fishery was extended for Tue.
Seine fishery around Gil Island took place Monday, 20 seines attended, catch was 6500 pink average.
Area 8
Gn and Sn fished Monday, July 13, catches still to come. Mid-day catches were modest, fishery was not extended due to relatively poor catch.
Area 10
Total Sockeye to July 12:
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
3915 2540 4712 1884 549 310
North Coast troll -
Approximately 50 trollers fishing, as some vessels have obtained their quota and left.
Second DNA sample results: WCVI 4.5%; Skeena 3.5%; Nass 1.1%
Main components were South Thompson – 27.7%; Upper Columbia summer/fall – 20%; North and Central Oregon 13.1%.
Estimated Chinook catch to date 43,400 from a TAC of 93,000. WCVI mort allowance is approximately half taken.
Sockeye in the process of being closed.
General coho opening is scheduled for July 22.
Chinook closure planned for Aug 3.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Fishery Notice Update
Fishery Notice just in from DFO. This one announces another gillnet opening in Area 3 (#8) and the continued delayed in opening Area 4 due to low Skeena sockeye numbers. Decision on Skeena Area 4 delayed until Thursday.
I guess DFO feels obliged to offer some fishing opportunity to the commercial sector, so they allow openings in Area 3 instead of in Area 4.
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0509-Commercial - Salmon: Gill Net - Area C Opening - Areas 3, 4, 6 & 8
Area 3
Gill nets open 16 hours, 06:00 to 22:00 Tuesday July 14 in Subareas 3-2, a portion of 3-3 (closed within one nautical mile of the shore of Wales Island),3-4, a portion of 3-7 (closed within one nautical mile of the shore of Wales Island and within 0.5 nautical miles of the shore of Pearse Island), 3-11, a portion of 3-12 (closed within 0.5 nautical miles of the shore of Pearse Island), 3-13, & 3-17. Max mesh 137 mm. Max depth 60 meshes, Max hang ratio 3:1, Corkline to web distance min 0 cm max 45 cm; or, max depth 90 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 1.2 m, max 1.5 m. If using 90 mesh net, every fifth cork on corkline must be red or another distinctive colour(not white). V.O.# 2009-NCSAL-018
Subarea 3-12 is now closed to the retention and possession of chum salmon. All chum salmon must be released to the water with the least possible harm. If a vessel has chum aboard from another sub-area, those fish must be offloaded prior to fishing in 3-12.
The target species in Area 3 is Nass sockeye. Gill net fisheries are being conducted with non-retention, non-possession of coho & steelhead. There are a number of weak chinook and chum stocks in Area 3 that are currently in the rebuilding phase. Fishers are requested to release all live chinook and chum to the water with the least possible harm. Operating revival boxes are mandatory and may be used to revive fish prior to release.
Gill netters should be aware that there is currently an at-sea observer program in operation in Area 3. Vessels that are requested to take an observer on board shall do so, in accordance with regulation.
Area 4
Escapement levels indicate that the run appears to be smaller than anticipated,and so far no opportunity for a commercial fishery exists. Next announcement Thursday 2PM.
Sockeye management Area 3 & 4
2009 Skeena sockeye run size
Graph showing how the 2009 Skeena sockeye run is shaping up. Also copied below is information from the 2009 IFMP on sockeye abundance and management.
According to the DFO Area Chief, an escapement estimate of roughly 1.2+ million is required to open commercial fisheries. Anything estimated below this would not permit commercial fisheries to open. As of mid last week, the escapement estimate was down to 1.3M from the initial forecast of 2 million for 2009.
The cutoff for any fishing activity is 400,000 and at under 550,000 First Nations would be consulted about limiting their food fishing activities.
Skeena River sockeye migrate up the river in an aggregate of stocks, but the individual stock groupings can be separated to some extent by run timing. At annual escapement levels of 400,000 or less sockeye into the Skeena River, fishing activity on sockeye should cease. To conduct commercial fisheries, the escapement should be predicted to achieve 900,000 for spawning purposes, and 150,000 for food, social and ceremonial purposes, by the end of the year. Thus an important in-season activity will be the continual refinement of the run size predicted for the Skeena. The pre-season estimate for 2009 is 2,000,000.
FN:Currently there is a total catch allocation in communal licences issued to First Nations bands to harvest 150,000 sockeye upstream of the Tyee test fishery. Weekly escapement estimates that
indicate an annual run size estimate of less than 550,000 (400,000 is the conservation limit below which we do not want to go, plus 150,000 for FSC) would trigger consultations with Skeena River First Nations to limit their food, social and ceremonial fisheries.
Graph and information copyright/courtesy of DFO North Coast
Skeena sockeye still lagging
The Area 4 Skeena sockeye fishery was not opened over the weekend or today. Basically, the run hasnt hit the escapement number that triggers allowing commercial fisheries. Wishful thinking would have thought this was some major application of the precautionary principle by DFO, but that's not really the case yet. Just plain old low sockeye numbers.
The last few days of Tyee sockeye numbers has continued to be lower than expected:
Date...........Daily...........Total To Date 2009
July 10: 20.09........... 239
July 11: 12.12.............251
July 12: 23.09............274
Compared to 2008, the numbers show just how far behind things are:
July 10: 40.26.............229
July 11: 57.34..............286
July 12: 100.68...........387
July 13: 126................514
July 14: 166...............680
Note, the large daily Index numbers on the 12-14th in 2008. So the sockeye can show up fast. The July 14, 2008 daily index number was the fifth highest ever recorded at Tyee.
More Commercial lobbying 'perspective'
http://www.com-fishaction.com/letter4/
From the above commercial lobby website here is a form letter provided for its constituents to just 'sign' and send off to DFO Minister Gail Shea.
Note, they think 2008 was above average for steelhead.....hhmmnn....Wasnt there some kind of overestimate with Tyee in 2008 on the order of 36-37%...?? Looks like the commercial guys completely missed that point. Plus, they neglect to mention to the Minister that the Tyee overestimate allowed more commercial fishing than should have occurred. This exposed Skeena steelhead, especially the early run component, to unsustainably high exploitation rates in peak fishing times. The exact exploitation rates are currently unquantified, but they are readily accepted to be well above the old Skeena Watershed Committee ceilings of 38% and 24%, and quite possibly in the 50+ range for the early run. So, if the commercial sector thinks it is fine to KILL 50+% of the early run steelhead ,even in a supposed above average year, then you can easily see why we have problems with them.
Also, interesting to note they think the steelhead guides are running Skeena Wild...I'm sure the guides will find that humorous.
And overall, they seem to think watershed wide, multi-stakeholder negotiations/discussions on 'trade-offs' will magically bail them of out all their problems. As if when viewed in a greater context, gillnetting and marine commercial fishing has some ingrained, protected position in society that will automatically acknowledge their sector.
From our perspective, the trade-off is pretty clear: if it's a choice between 1.conserving stocks, 2. maintaining a robust sportfishing tourism industry...over an archaic, outdated, non-selective, negative impact generating, barely viable economically, method of resource extraction.....Guess which one we'll advocate choosing??? Correct, we would advocate for fish first, then respecting First Nations Charter Right food interests, then commercial and recreational activities which impact stocks the least but have the greatest returns socially and economically for society.
And for the record, the NCSA has never shied away from wanting to enter these 'trade-off' discussions or negotiations. Hopefully, the Skeena Watershed Initiative can eventually tackle these issues.
Complete form letter below. There are other interesting form letters at the site also.
Dear Minister Shea,
Re: Skeena IFMP
The Wild Salmon Policy and the Skeena Independent Science Review Panel recommend a watershed process to make tradeoffs between biological, economic, and social imperatives.
Neither the WSP nor the SISRP recommend any minimum escapement levels nor target escapement levels for individual Conservation Units. The recommendation is for a process that will use best science and the best knowledge of habitat, ecosystems and stock health as a basis for decision making. What level of exploitation and by whom should be made by the stakeholders in the area.
I am concerned that this year’s fishing plan on the Skeena was not made in the spirit or letter of either the Policy or the Panel Report. Instead, it appears that a decision was made for a stunning reduction in the Skeena sockeye commercial exploitation rate in a completely arbitrary process.
The George and Betty Moore Foundation has put much funding into the Skeena system with the view to expanding the already healthy Skeena steelhead fishery. They have created and funded a new “environmental” company called SkeenaWild from the local steelhead guide lobby group. SkeenaWild in 2008 wrote letters to the Minister under the guise of conservation which demanded that the gillnet fishery be shut down early - to protect steelhead - when it was clear that the steelhead run size was well above average. Their Executive Director and Staff penned a letter that was sent to you under the Watershed Watch Salmon Society letterhead a month ago demanding that the proposed sockeye exploitation rate, cut to 20%, be reduced further to 15%. SkeenaWild controls the reins to millions of Moore Foundation dollars. This money is now supplying the Department and the Skeena Fisheries Commission with funding for many DFO / Skeena Fisheries Commission projects. I cannot help but wonder if this has influenced the local DFO’s decision to cut the commercial harvests by 30%.
I am a strong believer in the Wild Salmon Policy and the process it sets out on how to determine what a healthy stock is and how to share this stock among watershed shareholders. I can only hope that you can bring some rationality to the Skeena debate by requiring science based, community-based decisions.
Sincerely,
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