DFO North Coast Salmon Update to July 26,2011

The latest North Coast Salmon Update can be viewed on the DFO website here (if not posted yet, it should be sometiime today)

Some highlights include;

Area 3 Nass:

Nisga'a Fisheries' Nass sockeye return to Canada forecast (updated to July 24th) is 391,000 with a range of 321,000 to 532,000.

Some Observer data from a seine opening on July 11th is included. Basically, the observers rate the seiners at a 'C' for effort and compliance.

Area 4 Skeena:

On average, 57% of the aggregate Skeena sockeye return has passed the Tyee Test Fishery by July 25th. The Skeena sockeye aggregate in-season return to Canada forecast is 1.37 million with a range of 1.1 to 2.5 million. Assuming a 5-year average Alaskan exploitation rate, the forecasted total Skeena sockeye return is 1.54 million (1.2 - 2.8 million). Under the IFMP, the allowable Canadian commercial exploitation rate is 10% (3% - 23%).

There is a gillnet opening today, July 27th. No mention of further seine openings yet.

Tyee Test Fishery Indices in table below:

	2011 index	2000s average	90s average
Sockeye	1118.67	1123.23	705.74
Coho	5.86	3.35	3.41
Pink	89.42	125.85	63.42
Chum	1.72	2.06	3.67
Chinook	157.48	267.54	208.37
Steelhead	17.4	19.97	21.20

Sockeye escapement through Tyee Test Fishery to July 26 is 737,451.