Catch and passage for Fraser sockeye is nearly 50/50 to date (2,479,700 catch and 2,301,800 past Mission). The Early Summer in-season information has changed substantially since last week, increasing to track near the p50 abundance with a median run-timing later than forecast. The later run-timing estimate is likely the reason for the lower tracking of in-season abundance in Early Summers observed over the last two weeks. Summers are also looking stronger, now tracking near the p50 forecast with a potential to be higher than forecast. Once we see some of the larger marine test fishery catches observed in-river, the uncertainty from the marine test fisheries will be clarified.
Canadian catch in commercial fisheries is around 1.4 million fish, predominantly in the Area B purse seine (728,300) and Area E gillnet (444,900) fisheries. For First Nations, FSC fisheries have been ongoing throughout the marine approach and in-river, and a few EO fisheries have been occurring in the Lower Fraser. Recreational fisheries in the marine approach and in-river recreational fishery catch is only reported after multiple weeks of fishing and is currently unavailable.
By: Aidan Fisher, FRAFS Biologist
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