North Coast Salmon Update #10 – Tuesday, August 25, 2015
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
Table 1 – Summary of Area F Troll catch and releases to date by week.
CHINOOK
The 2015 Area F Troll Chinook TAC is 117,400 pieces, and is managed to the maximum 3.2%
exploitation objective on WCVI Chinook using an Effort / Harvest Relationship Management
Tool. The total number of Chinook validated to date is 104,020, which is 89% of the 2015 Area
F Troll TAC. The estimated harvest rate of WCVI Chinook is 1.15% as estimated by fishing
effort using the Effort Harvest Management Tool. The Area F Troll Chinook ITQ fishery is
scheduled to reopen August 25th (FN0869) for the remainder of the season.
Chinook stock composition in the Area F Troll catch from DNA samples are as follows:
Sample #1
From 800 fish (27 vessel landings) caught between June 18th and 23rd
40.4% Upper Columbia Summer/fall, 20.8% South Thompson, 12.6% North & Central
Oregon, 9.3% Coastal Washington, 1.5% WCVI, 2.2% Skeena and 0.4% Nass.
Sample #2
From 402 fish (24 vessel landings) caught between June 24th and July 1st.
40.1% Upper Columbia Summer/fall, 20.8% South Thompson, 12.0% North & Central
Oregon, 13.0% Coastal Washington, 0.2% WCVI, 1.0% Skeena and 0.2% Nass.
Sample #3
From 189 fish (12 vessel landings) caught between June 26th and July 13th.
47.1% Upper Columbia Summer/fall, 17.6% South Thompson, 11.4% North & Central
Oregon, 11.9% Coastal Washington, 0.5% WCVI, 2.9% Skeena and 0.0% Nass.
Sample #4
From 185 fish (9 vessel landings) caught between July 10th and 19th.
48.3% Upper Columbia Summer/fall, 14.6% South Thompson, 9.0% North & Central
Oregon, 14.9% Coastal Washington, 0.0% WCVI, 1.8% Skeena and 1.9% Nass.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 1 of 17
Sample #5
From 199 fish (19 vessel landings) caught between July 16th and 31st.
47.8% Upper Columbia Summer/fall, 18.6% Coastal Washington, 18.5% South
Thompson, 8.4% North & Central Oregon, 0.3% WCVI, 0.4% Skeena and 0.0% Nass.
Total preliminary estimated catch of WCVI Chinook (based on DNA analysis of catch) is
approximately 1,050 pieces.
COHO
The main targeted Coho Fishery opened July 10th (FN0592) with an allowance of sockeye bycatch (FN0593). Average daily effort over the last week was approximately 45 vessels with a
mean Coho CPUE dropping off from over 100 Coho/Vessel/Day in early August to 75
Coho/Vessel/Day over the past week. Total catch to date is estimated to be 241,000 Coho and
45,000 Pinks. A comparison of Coho CPUE over the past decade and fleet distribution are
depicted in the following graphs.
Figure 1
Mean Weekly Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) in Area F Troll.
CPUE = (# Coho Caught + # Coho Released) / Vessel / Day.
Area 3
Coho migration past the Nass Fishwheels has been consistently below average for the past 3
weeks and is half the average, to date. Furthermore, the in-season forecasted return of coho to
the Nass system is below escapement targets. The current estimate of Areas 3 coho total return
to Canada has dropped again this week, to 95,000. The pre-season estimate was 240,000. As
such, a targeted coho fishery is not being considered at this time. Fisheries Management will
continue to re-evaluate abundance on a weekly basis.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 2 of 17
Area 6 - Overall abundance of coho in the net and recreational fishery has been sporadic with
generally below average abundance. As such, a targeted coho fishery is not being considered at
this time. Fisheries Management will continue to re-evaluate abundance as new catch data
becomes available.
Central Coast
Area 7-9 – Preliminary coho abundance has been inconsistent. Recreational coho catches were
reported as good in July and have declined in the first half of August. The majority of effort has
been on outside passing stocks. As such, a targeted coho fishery is not being considered at this
time. Fisheries Management will continue to re-evaluate abundance on a weekly basis.
Area 1-2 Recreational
Table 2: Preliminary Area 1-2 Recreational Catch to the end of July
2015
Month
May
June
July
May July
% of total
catch by
source
Season
Area
1
2E
2W
May Total
1
2E
2W
June Total
1
2E
2W
July Total
1
2E
2W
Season
Total:
Log Book
Creel
Estimate
Coho
40
0
20
60
1800
0
2000
3800
8500
50
3000
11550
10340
50
5020
Chinook
500
400
100
1000
8200
150
5500
13850
9800
100
5500
15400
18500
650
11100
Pink
5
0
5
10
50
0
60
110
230
0
20
250
285
0
85
15410
67%
21%
12%
30250
70%
22%
8%
370
97%
2%
2%
North Coast Salmon Update
Catch By Species
Sockeye Chum Rockfish
1
5
200
0
0
0
0
5
250
1
10
450
20
90
1900
0
0
100
0
10
4700
20
100
6700
30
100
1900
0
0
100
0
10
1300
30
110
3300
51
195
4000
0
0
200
0
25
6250
51
90%
0%
10%
220
91%
0%
9%
10450
79%
17%
4%
Halibut
150
200
100
450
3400
300
2800
6500
3300
300
1400
5000
6850
800
4300
Lingcod
75
0
125
200
1300
50
2200
3550
800
50
1200
2050
2175
100
3525
11950
71%
21%
8%
5800
81%
15%
4%
Page 3 of 17
Southeast Alaska Troll
The Area 6 CPUE for this week (35.7) is much lower than the 1995 – 2014 average of 61.7 and the 2013
value of 92.1.
Southeast Alaska Southern Inside Troll Coho Catch per Boat-Day
Tree Point Gill Net Fishery
The Tree Point gill net fishery in Alaska was opened Sunday, August 23rd, at noon, and closed at
noon on Thursday, August 27th. No catch estimates were available for this opening at the time of
posting. Catch estimates for the previous week (Week 34) for the Tree Point gill net fishery are
listed below.
Week 34 gill net (August 16 - 22) harvests for 21 vessels over 2 days fishing:
Chinook
Sockeye
Coho
Pink
Chum
0
600
1,000
8,000
8,000
Noyes Island Seine Fishery
The District 4 seine fishery opened for 39 hours this week, from 06:00 Sunday, August 23rd to
09:00 on August 24th. No catch estimates for this opening were available at time of posting.
Catch estimates Week 33 are listed below.
Mid-week 34 SN harvests for 30 vessels:
Chinook
Sockeye
Coho
Pink
Chum
0
5,300
2,300
180,000
21,000
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 4 of 17
Area 3 (Nass River)
The Nass River fishwheels have been operating since June 4th. The current in-season total return
to Canada (TRTC) forecast (50% confidence interval), based on mark-recapture data and mean
run timing, increased from 647,000 last week to 681,000 (666,000 – 738,000) for data to August
23rd. This estimate assumes that 97% of the returning sockeye have migrated past the lower fish
wheels at Gitwinksihlkw. The in-season run-size estimate past the Gitwinksihlkw fishwheels
(GW), for data to August 23rd, is 420,638 sockeye, much higher than the 1994-2014 average of
266,000. The run-size target past the GW fishwheels is 250,000 sockeye.
In addition, the point estimate for Nass chinook TRTC remained at 37,000 (36,000 – 38,000),
based on mark-recapture data and mean run timing, and assuming that 98% of the returning stock
has migrated past the GW fishwheels. The in-season run-size estimate past the GW fishwheels
for upper Nass chinook, for data to August 23rd, is 26,206 fish, much higher than the 1994-2014
average of 20,300. The run-size target past the GW fishwheels is 15,000 chinook.
For coho, assuming that 69% of the run has migrated past the GW fishwheels, the TRTC
estimate dropped from 133,000 to 95,000 (75,000 – 165,000). Meanwhile, the odd-year pink
TRTC estimate also dropped over the past week, from 420,000 to 306,000 (246,000 – 475,000),
assuming 72% of the run has migrated past the GW fishwheels. Also, assuming 41% of the
return has passed the GW fishwheels, the chum TRTC estimate is 29,000 (14,000 – 80,000).
At 1.3 meters, the Nass River water level at the GW fishwheels is 0.5 meters lower than the 1994
– 2014 average, while water temperature at the same location remains 10.0oCelsius, which is
slightly above the 1994 – 2014 average of 9.4oCelsius.
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/northcoast-cotenord/nass-eng.htm
Nisga’a Fisheries
Below is the estimated catch by Nisga’a harvest fisheries. To date, there have been 15 Nisga’a
marine Individual Sales fisheries and 10 in-river Individual Sales fishery. Nisga’a Fisheries has
announced that both Marine and in-river IS fisheries are closed until further notice.
*From Nisga’a Fisheries
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 5 of 17
Commercial Net Fisheries:
Twenty-seven gillnet openings have occurred in Area 3. Area 3 chum are in a rebuilding phase
and excessive encounter rates during the last opportunity were deemed too high to support
further opportunities. No further gill net opportunities are anticipated this year in Area 3.
Area 3 Gillnet Catch Estimates
There have also been 13 seine opening to date, the last opportunities being Thursday July 30th
and Friday’ July 31st to target Area 3 pinks and with retention of sockeye and coho. The fishery
has been closed since due to poor pink abundance. Further opportunities are not anticipated at
this time based on the significant downgrading of Nass pink abundance and the poor showing of
pinks in Area 3 streams. No further opportunities are anticipated for seines in Area 3.
Area 3 Seine Catch Estimates to July 31st:
A catch monitoring program is in place for Area 3 net fisheries. Packer vessels and gillnet
vessels landing to shore-based sites each have a 20% chance of being validated by an
independent service provider. At-sea observers are now being deployed to the fleet to gather
non-target species release information.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 6 of 17
Gillnet species composition from gill net validated landings
Date Fished
09-Jun
June 15/16
June 22/23
June 25/26
June 29/30
July 9/10
July 14/15
July 17/18
July 26/27
July 31/August 1
August 3/4
August 13/14
Sockeye Sockeye
pieces
%
459
2,317
1,702
2,217
4,209
8,179
6,806
7,016
8,356
7,081
3,738
2,064
Pink
pieces
Pink %
100.0%
0.0 0.0%
98.0%
0.0 0.0%
78.6%
68.0 3.2%
89.7%
91.0 3.7%
86.9%
507.0 10.5%
44.0% 7,953.0 42.8%
39.8% 8,013.0 46.9%
27.1% 12,618.0 48.7%
27.9% 20,745.0 69.4%
37.2% 11,261.5 59.1%
61.9% 2,003.0 33.2%
54.6% 1,088.0 28.8%
Chum
pieces
Chum
%
0 0.0%
0 0.0%
0 0.0%
0 0.0%
0 0.0%
2,206 11.9%
2,041 11.9%
5,863 22.6%
2 0.0%
0 0.0%
0 0.0%
0 0.0%
Coho
pieces
Coho Chinook Chinook Steelhead
%
pieces
%
pieces
0 0.0%
4 0.1%
292 13.5%
114 4.6%
24 0.5%
220 1.2%
203 1.2%
403 1.6%
770 2.6%
690 3.6%
293 4.9%
622 16.4%
0
0
97
49
106
21
27
22
39
27
6
9
0.0%
0.0%
4.5%
0.2%
0.2%
0.1%
0.2%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
0.2%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Steelhead
%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
Data provided by Ecotrust Canada
Nass Inland Demonstration Fishery
Both the Nisga’a and the Gitanyow participated in inland demonstration fisheries to fish
selectively for sockeye in the Nass watershed. The Nisga’a and Gitanyow have harvested their
current allocations. It is anticipated that there will be no further allocations for the year.
Sockeye allocations:
First Nation
# GN Licences
Nisga’a
45
Gitanyow
55
Allocation
7,510
11,385
Catch
7,508
11,385
Meziadin Fishway
The Meziadin Fishway has been operational since July 1st. Current environmental conditions
include water temperature of 15oCelsius, which is equal to the mean, and water levels which are
slightly below normal. As of August 24th, 124,806 adult sockeye (1994 – 2014 average to date is
128,400), 1,615 jack sockeye 50 adult chinook and 166 coho have passed through the fishway.
All counts are below the 1994 – 2014 average, to date. Historic and 2015 counts are available
here:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/northcoast-cotenord/meziadin-eng.htm
Kwinageese Weir
The Kwinageese weir is being managed by the Nisga’a Fish and Wildlife department, and has
been operational since July 3rd. As of August 23rd, a total of 976 chinook and 5,841 sockeye had
passed through the weir. Both chinook and sockeye counts are well above the 1994 – 2014
averages, to date. In addition, the first coho (3) and steelhead (2) were observed this week.
Water levels are higher than normal, while water temperature is 2oCelsius cooler, for this time of
year, currently sitting at 13oCelsius.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 7 of 17
According to the Nisga’a Fish and Wildlife Department, “The lower Kwinageese River barrier
site was visited on March 3, 2015. Water levels were higher than normal due to early snow melt.
The crew observed that several of the concrete blocks that were previously placed in the thalwag
of the channel have since washed out. The concrete weir was still functioning by pooling water
at the base of the bedrock barrier. Crew visited the barrier site on July 23 under normal water
level and observed that the concrete weir structure was in the same condition as when visited in
2014. Numerous chinook were observed holding in the pool below barrier and a few were
observed jumping the barrier.”
Area 4 (Skeena River)
The pre-season Skeena sockeye run size was for an above average return of 3.5 million (50%
probability) with a 90% probability of 1.7 million and a 10% probability of 7.3 million, based on
the sibling model. Based on the estimated escapement past the Tyee Test Fishery to August 24th,
and assuming average run timing, the current in-season point estimate (50% probability) for
Total Return to Canada remained at 1.2 million, with a 90% probability of at least 880,000 and a
10% probability of 1.5 million.
The estimated Skeena sockeye escapement past the Tyee Test fishery, to August 24th, is 1.13
million fish. Assuming average run timing, approximately 98.5% of the sockeye return should
have passed the Tyee Test Fishery by August 24th.
Escapements to the Babine Counting Facility to August 24th include 723,423 large sockeye,
11,825 jack sockeye, 49,547 pinks, 278 coho, 329 large chinook, 127 jack chinook and 7
steelhead.
Below is a graph of estimated Tyee sockeye escapement, by date, along with the Babine fence
daily counts, delayed by 3 weeks (migration timing from Tyee to Babine), to provide information
on relative run timing and daily abundance.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 8 of 17
Tyee test fishery data are available here:
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/salmon/testfish/sockeye/tyee_gillnet.htm
Tyee test fishery cumulative index to August 17th:
2015
2000's Avg.
1990's Avg.
1980’s Avg.
Sockeye
1190.21
1832.13
1183.50
1571.71
Coho
38.12
55.77
34.65
56.11
Pink
553.85
894.47
684.99
934.88
Chum
50.10
38.44
48.67
59.85
Lg Chinook
144.98
273.25
205.99
170.52
Steelhead
101.84
112.27
86.28
104.96
Historical and 2015 counts are available here:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/northcoast-cotenord/index-eng.html
Net Fisheries:
One 18 hour gillnet opening occurred on June 12 and a second opening of 30 hours on June
27/28. Both openings were directed on Skeena chinooks and catches were below average for
both openings (total catch of 603 pieces). Given the large escapement past Tyee, last week, it
was possible to allow an opportunity to harvest Skeena sockeye for both gill nets and seines.
The fishery opened for 1 day (August 23) and was extended to allow and second day based on
minimal non-target encounters and good compliance with restrictive fishing regulations. Catch
and release information is available for only the August 23rd opening.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 9 of 17
Area 4 Gill Net Catch Estimates to August 23rd:
Area 4 Seine Catch Estimates to August 23rd:
Skeena Inland Demonstration Fishery
The Lake Babine Nation and Gitxsan Watershed Authority have both expressed interest in
participating in an inland demonstration fishery in the Skeena River watershed. Allocations will
be assigned once gill net catch totals are finalized for the recent gill net opening.
Recreational Fisheries:
The Area 3 and 4 marine creel survey began on June 1st. The preliminary data for estimated kept
catch in July is listed below, along with historic July catch data (2009 – 2014) for comparison.
Estimated Area 3/4 July Kept Catch by Year
Species
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Chinook
3,516
5,015
4,475
3,961
6,132
2,643
Coho
14,800
19,967
19,774
13,329
17,674
14,143
Chum
156
230
52
191
70
39
Pink
2,100
1,429
1,282
1,425
1,918
505
Sockeye
39
20
33
68
49
3
Halibut
3,712
4,545
4,519
4,724
5,363
4,801
Effort**
3,812
4,301
4,018
3,873
4,547
3,708
*Note: that data is still preliminary
** Boat Trips
2009
4,191
18,927
178
1,136
13
4,884
3,925
Skeena In-River Creel Survey
This project commenced on 2 June 2015, with interviews starting on 4 June. The focus of the
project is to monitor fishing activities in three zones of the Skeena River. Interviews and effort
surveys are being conducted to quantify the timing, duration, type and location of fishing
activities. Catch was enumerated separately for fish that are kept vs. released.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 10 of 17
Starting on 7 August, no fishing for Chinook was permitted from Lakelse River mouth upstream
to the Skeena River Overpass (New Highway Bridge) at Ferry Island. Because of this fishing
regulation change, it made sense to treat the first week of August as ‘part of July’ for the
purposes of analysis. Subsequent reports will provide separate estimates for catch and effort
during the rest of August (August 7-31).
During the month of July, 11 official effort surveys were conducted in the reach from Ferry
Islandto Exstew, and 10 were conducted in the reach from Exstew to China Bar. During these
surveys,2229 anglers were observed, of which 246 were in boats. In July, truck- and boat-based
surveyors observed 2283 anglers, of which 1503 (66%) were interviewed.
During the first week of August (up to 6 August), 3 official boat-based effort surveys were
conducted in the reach from Ferry Island to Exstew, and 2 were conducted in the reach from
Exstew to China Bar. During these surveys, 486 anglers were observed, 54 of which were in
boats. In the first week of August, truck- and boat-based surveyors observed 524 anglers, of
which 339 (65%) were interviewed.
Preliminary analyses (Table 1) showed that Chinook salmon was by far the most commonly
caught species in July and the first week of August (~2515 large fish, SE = 260; and ~959 jacks,
SE = 160). Most (90%) of the large fish and jacks (95%) were harvested (Table 2). Sockeye
salmon was the next most commonly caught fish (~1492, SE = 300), of which 76% were
retained.
Pink salmon (~854, SE = 170) and Steelhead (~710, SE = 201) were caught during this period.
In all 39% of the Pink salmon and none of the Steelhead were harvested. Coho salmon were
also caught in July and the first week of August (~311, SE = 67), of which 74% were harvested.
Preliminary estimates of fishing effort measured in angler-hours are provided in Table 3. The
total effort in July and the first week of August (109,410 angler-hours) was very similar to that
estimated for the same period in 2014 (110,149), but was higher than any other previous year of
this study (range: 43,000-84,000 angler hours between 2010-2013; see Robichaud et al. 2015).
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 11 of 17
For more information: please contact Karl English or Anita Blakley at 250-656-0127 or email
kenglish@lgl.com or ablakley@lgl.com
Kitwanga Fence
An update was provided in time for information to August 18th. The fence has been operational
since July 10, which is the normal start date. The first chinook was counted on July 10th, with
the total count of 736 fish, to date. Assuming average run timing, ~75.6% of run has passed the
fence by to date.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 12 of 17
The first sockeye was counted on July 14th, with a total count of 969, to date. Assuming average
run timing, ~35.3% of run should have passed through the fence by August 18th.
A total of 37,388 pink salmon, 54 chum and 54 coho have migrated have through the weir, to
date.
Water levels on August 18th were ~0.66m, slightly lower than normal. Since the last update
daily water temperatures have been fluctuating between 10-15°C, which is average for this time
of year.
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/northcoast-cotenord/index-eng.html
Babine River Counting Facility
The first fish was counted through the Babine River fence on July 14th. Current daily water
temperature at the facility ranges from 13.7– 14.7 Celsius, with water level nearly normal at 89
cm on August 24th. Escapements to the Babine Counting Facility to August 24th include 723,423
large sockeye, 11,825 jack sockeye, 49,547 pinks, 278 coho, 329 large chinook, 127 jack
chinook and 7 steelhead. Assuming that 68% of Babine Lake sockeye have migrated past the
counting facility, the current total return forecast is between 0.95 and 1.5 million (point estimate
of 1.1 million).
The Babine Creel Survey, in the vicinity of Fulton River, began on August 1st and has continued
every day. During the sampling interval of August 1 to August 21st, 273 interviews were
completed. The average Harvest Per Unit of Effort (number of sockeye harvested/hour) during
this period is 0.19. This is lower than calculated in previous years. The Fishing Effort is
estimated at 15, 866 hours. The estimated number of sockeye harvested by the recreational sector
from August 1 to August 21 (when the catch limit was 1/day) is 3,062.
Even with the increase limit to 2 sockeye/day this past weekend, resort owners have commented
that their facilities are not as busy as in previous years. The Babine/Fulton Creel Survey will
continue until August 31st.
Water temperature at Fulton on August 23rd ranged from 15.6 oCelsius to 17.3 oCelsius, with a
daily average of 16.5oCelsius. The first spawning has been observed in river and good groups of
fish are now entering the river. Enumeration of sockeye began this week, with observations of 4
year old fish being dominant. Water temperature at Pinkut on August 23rd ranged from 13.5 to
16.5oCelsius. Currently, there are about 22,000 sockeye below the Pinkut fence. Some food
harvesting is taking place at the fence and at the river mouth. Fecundity studies are expected to
be done today, along with channel loading.
Historical and 2015 counts are available here (updated today or tomorrow):
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/northcoast-cotenord/index-eng.html
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 13 of 17
Slamgeesh Weir
The Slamgeesh Salmon Project has been ongoing since the year 2000 in the Slamgeesh
Watershed, Gitxsan traditional territory of Gwininitxw in the Upper Skeena watershed. Below is
information to August 24th. To date, 403 sockeye (<5% jacks) and 23 coho have passed through
the weir.
For more information please contact:
Alicia Fernando– Gitxsan Watershed Authorities
afernando@gitksanwatershed.com
Sustut Weir
The Upper Sustut River weir has been in operation since August 1st . This is the 22nd year of
operations. Two steelhead had passed through the weir as of noon on August 6th. No sockeye
had been observed to that date.
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 14 of 17
Area 6
Net Fisheries:
Due to adequate chum abundance in the Kitimat River area, 9 directed chum gillnet opportunities
were provided in sub-area 6-1. Catch information indicated good chum abundance. To August
21st, the combined Area 6 gill net catch is estimated to be 89,289 chum, 2,289 pinks and 15
chinook. Releases included 388 sockeye 1,445 coho, 11 chinook and 11 steelhead.
Area 6 Gill Net Catch Estimates by Week
The last day Area 6 was opened to seines for chum retention in sub-area 6-1 was on August 21st .
Total catches include 22,710 chum and 4,091 pinks. Releases included 306 sockeye 476 coho,
23 chinook and 3 steelhead. Patrolman surveys indicate pink abundance remains well below the
brood year abundance, to date.
Area 6 Seine Catch Estimates by Week
Area 7
Net Fisheries:
The first net fishery was held on July 27th to assess chum abundance. The most recent gillnet
and seine openings were August 18th. Total catch to date includes 121 pinks and 13,839 chum
for gillnets, along with 24,761 pinks and 81,077 chums for seines. Future opportunities will be
based on chum abundance.
Area 7 Gill Net Catch Estimates by Week
North Coast Salmon Update
Page 15 of 17
Area 7 Seine Catch Estimates by Week
Recreational Fisheries:
Indications from the data received to-date of the weekly Chinook CPUE (catch per angler/angler
day) up to Week 33 (Aug 9 to Aug 15) is that it continues to be above the past five plus years
and above the 10 year average. Total known Chinook catch reported to-date is 4,284 for 6,838
angler days.
Indications from the data received to-date of the weekly Coho CPUE up to Week 32 (Aug 2 to
Aug 8) is that it continued to be down from the past few years and the 10 year average. In Week
33 (Aug 9 to Aug 15), the CPUE has improved to be in-line (similar) with the past 2 years and
the 10 year average of 1.0. Total known Coho catch reported to-date is 4,099 for 6,838 angler
days.
Area 8
Net Fisheries:
Area 8 was last opened to gill nets and seines on August 18th to target local chums. Total catch
for gill nets includes 1,788 sockeye, 21,808 pinks, 288,555 chum and 5,333 chinook. Releases
include 1,932 coho and 297 steelhead. In addition, seines operating in Fisher/Fitz Hugh have
harvested 688,327 pinks and 167,922 chums.
Area 8 Gillnet Catch Estimates by Week
North Coast Salmon Update
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Area 8 Seine Catch Estimates by Week
Recreational Fisheries (Hakai Pass):
Current available information is only up to July 28th at time. More data has been collected this
past weekend and will be provided in an up-date next week.
Indications from the data received to-date of the weekly Chinook CPUE up to Week 31 (July 26
to Aug 1) is that it continues to be above the past three years and above the 10 year average.
Total Chinook catch reported to-date is 533 for 1,573 angler days.
Initial information for Week 31 indicates that the Coho CPUE is similar to the past three years at
1.11 and up from the 10 year average of 0.69. Total Coho catch reported to-date is 1,765 for
1,573 angler days.
Area 9
Recreational Fisheries:
For Stat Week 31 & 32 (July 26 to Aug 8) the Chinook CPUE information indicates it continues
to be up from the past few years and significantly up from the 10 year average. Total Chinook
catch reported to-date is 2,376 for 5,108 angler days.
For Stat Week 31 & 32 the Coho CPUE information indicates it is similar to last year at 1.0,
down from 2013 which was 1.3, and up from the 10 year average of 0.7. Total Coho catch
reported to-date is 4,768 for 5,108 angler days.
Area 10
The Docee weir became operational on July 1st. By August 17th, a total of 104,444 sockeye,
1,512 coho and 15 chinook had migrated past the fence. This year’s Docee weir count can be
found here:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/northcoast-cotenord/index-eng.html
For more information please visit the North Coast website here:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/northcoast-cotenord/index-eng.htm
North Coast Salmon Update
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