Yukon and Transboundary Rivers

In general, sockeye returns to the Transboundary Rivers in northwestern B.C. are anticipated to be average.  Sockeye returns to the Stikine River are expected to be healthy in 2005, compared to the low returns this run had experienced prior to last year.  Returns to the Tatsamenie River (a major tributary of the Taku River) and the Alsek River are expected to be average to below average.

Coho returns are expected to be average to above average, which should support normal fishing opportunities for First Nations and recreational harvesters in the Alsek, Stikine and Taku rivers.

In the Taku River, a low chum return is expected, as in recent years, which will require continued restrictions on fisheries.  Chum runs in the Yukon and Porcupine rivers are expected to be below average, although some fishing opportunities are likely to occur.  

Above average chinook runs are anticipated in the Taku and Stikine rivers, where directed chinook fisheries may occur depending on the outcome of negotiations with the United States. Chinook returns to the Alsek River are likely to be average and should allow for normal fishing opportunities for First Nations and recreational anglers.  Below average chinook returns are expected to the Yukon River, however abundance should be adequate to allow some fishing to occur.  

North Coast

Meziadin Lake (Nass River) sockeye stocks are anticipated to be abundant and support a full range of fisheries including Nisga’a treaty fisheries, although specific measures may be required to protect other Nass River stocks. Other North Coast sockeye stocks, including the Skeena River aggregate, are expected to return at levels below recent year averages. At current levels of forecasted return, First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries are planned, as well as recreational and very modest commercial fisheries.  If additional Skeena River surpluses are identified in-season, opportunities for expanded commercial fishing opportunities will be provided.  If surpluses are identified in-river, Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirement (ESSR) fisheries may take place.  

Coho stocks in Area 3 continue to be strong and are expected to provide fishing opportunities for First Nations and the recreational sector.  Skeena River coho are continuing to rebuild and fishing opportunities similar to 2004 are anticipated. Other North Coast coho stocks are expected to provide a good fishery for the northern troll fleet. Recreational coho fishing throughout the North Coast tidal water area will be at full limits (four per day) with similar abundances to those seen in 2004.

North Coast pink stocks have been strong yet variable.  This year is an off-cycle year for pink salmon in the Queen Charlotte Islands (QCIs), therefore no directed fishing opportunities on these stocks are planned.

Similar to 2004, chum returns to the QCIs are expected to be mixed (some will be average or above average and others will be below average).  Low returns are expected elsewhere throughout the north, except to the Kitimat River, where a modest surplus is expected.  Similar conservation requirements to previous years will be required in 2005.  

Moderate to strong returns of chinook to the Nass and Skeena rivers are anticipated to provide for food, social and ceremonial fishing opportunities, as well as recreational fishing opportunities similar to last year.  A directed gill net fishery is expected to occur on Skeena River chinook stocks. Commercial trolling is once again expected to be good on southern migrating chinook.

Central Coast

As in previous years, due to the poor returns in the brood year, returns of sockeye to Rivers and Smith inlets will likely be below long-term averages and continued closures are expected.  Sockeye returns to Areas 7 and 8 appear to be improving compared to previous years, however no directed fisheries are being considered for these small stocks.

Coho returns in the northern parts of the Central Coast (Areas 7 to 10) continue to be strong, with average to above average returns expected.  As in 2004, harvesting opportunities are anticipated to be very good for First Nations and recreational fishers. As well, commercial harvesters will be permitted to retain coho harvested in directed fisheries for pink and chum salmon.

Pink returns to Areas 7 and 8 are expected to be strong in 2005, and directed fisheries on these stocks are likely to continue.  Pink returns to Area 9 are anticipated to remain strong, however no directed commercial fisheries are planned in this area to protect weak sockeye and chinook returns.  

Average to above average chum returns are expected in most areas of the Central Coast.  Fishing opportunities for chum for First Nations, recreational and commercial (seine and gillnet) harvesters are anticipated.

Average returns of chinook may provide for fishing opportunities similar to 2004 for both First Nations and recreational anglers. Chinook returns to the Dean, Bella Coola, and Atnarko rivers appear to be comparable to last year.  Terminal fisheries targeting Atnarko River chinook are again expected this year.

South Coast

In general, sockeye returns in southern B.C. in 2005 are anticipated to be varied.  Sockeye stocks in Barkley Sound are forecasted to be below average; fishery planning will be guided by a need to reduced exploitation by commercial and recreational harvesters. As well, based on limited data, the returns to small systems that support sockeye in Kyuquot Sound (Jantzen Lake), Johnstone Strait and the Strait of Georgia are expected to be at low levels. Sakinaw Lake sockeye returns are expected to be very low and will be a conservation concern again in 2005. Management actions (such as reductions in fishing times) will be required to protect these stocks. 

There is an ongoing need to protect wild coho throughout most of the South Coast area.  Coho stocks in the Strait of Georgia appear to be of low abundance due to poor marine survival. As a result, only recreational selective hatchery marked coho fisheries (with reduced daily limits) after July 1 are expected in this area.  However, good coho returns are expected to many West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) streams as well as other systems that have been enhanced, which are anticipated to provide the opportunity for directed harvests of wild stocks in some terminal areas.

Hatchery pink salmon opportunities are expected in the central Strait of Georgia area.  Wild pink returns to the Mainland Inlets appear to be benefiting from improved marine conditions in 2003, resulting in an expectation of average returns in 2005.  Historically, pink populations in the Mainland Inlets have been highly variable and stronger on even year cycles. Fishing opportunities on this odd year cycle are not anticipated, however it will depend on the stock strength apparent in early season stock assessments.

Average to above average chum returns throughout southern B.C., including WCVI, are expected, with modest First Nations and commercial fisheries likely to occur.  Recreational chum fishing opportunities will be available throughout the waters of southern BC and in terminal areas where there are available surpluses.

There continues to be a trend of larger returns of chinook to WCVI streams, which is an indication that the conservation measures, coupled with positive ocean survival conditions of the past number of years, are having the desired effect.  In 2005, most enhanced WCVI systems are expected to have strong returns similar to 2004, resulting in a range of fisheries for First Nations and recreational anglers.  There will also be some directed commercial fisheries in Barkley Sound and other terminal areas with available surpluses.  Chinook returns to un-enhanced WCVI systems, however, are coming from low brood years, which is necessitating a continuation of conservation actions in many areas. There has been declining abundance of some wild chinook stocks returning to the Strait of Georgia in recent years.  Although the cause is uncertain, precautionary measures will be required again this year to rebuild these specific stocks.

Fraser River

Water levels and water temperatures, based on snow pack levels and in-season temperatures have the potential to affect the migration health of salmon.  DFO, together with the Pacific Salmon Commission, will be monitoring these conditions and taking necessary actions to ensure escapement goals are met.

The return of Fraser River sockeye is anticipated to be strong this year based largely on Summer run returns to the Quesnel and Chilko rivers.  Although this is the strong cycle year for Early Stuart sockeye, below average returns as a result of poor brood year escapements are a cause for concern.  Early Summer run sockeye are expected to provide for some fishing opportunities, however the majority of harvest opportunities are expected on Summer run sockeye. 

While early river entry of the Late run sockeye timing group is a continuing phenomenon, the very high mortality rates observed in the late 1990s appear to have moderated somewhat in the past few years.  Recovery planning continues for Sakinaw Lake and Cultus Lake sockeye to address the various threats to these stocks and to improve survival.  Fisheries will be constrained to promote rebuilding of these two stocks.

The current sockeye forecast anticipates directed fisheries by First Nations, although closures may be required to protect stocks of concern in Johnstone Strait prior to late July and after early August and in the lower Fraser River after mid-August. In-river recreational fisheries similar to 2004 are anticipated. Commercial fisheries will be modest to protect Sakinaw Lake and Cultus Lake sockeye as well as Late run sockeye.  As was the case in 2004, sockeye fisheries are anticipated to start in late July and be completed by mid August.

Measures to protect Interior Fraser River (Thompson River) coho will continue in 2005.  Although rebuilding efforts on these stocks are occurring, poor marine survival and environmental factors remain uncontrollable factors.  Coho returns to the lower Fraser River are anticipated to be below average.  Accordingly, in the lower Fraser River, recreational coho fisheries will be restricted to hatchery marked fish in most areas.  Retention of unmarked (wild) coho will be permitted in terminal areas where returns exceed spawning requirements.

Fraser River pink returns are expected to be abundant in 2005, although due to concerns related to impacts on co-migrating Late run sockeye and Interior Fraser River coho, the harvest of pink salmon will be limited to fishing by selective means to protect those stocks of concern.

Similar to last year, chum returns are expected to be average to above average and fishing opportunities for First Nations and the other fishing sectors are expected.  Some limited opportunity will be available for the commercial fleet to harvest Fraser River chum if abundance permits. As well, chum fisheries will be planned to ensure steelhead bycatch is minimized.

Most returns of Fraser River chinook salmon are generally expected to be moderate.  Low returns are anticipated to continue for early-timed (Birkenhead) and Summer run stocks returning to the lower Fraser River.  Conservation measures will be in place to protect stocks of concern and First Nations and recreational fisheries will be directed toward more abundant stocks. Commercial fishing opportunities will generally be restricted to exploratory fisheries designed to provide increased information related to developing future fisheries for abundant stocks, while ensuring protection to stocks of concern.

For further information:

Michelle Imbeau

Communications Officer

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region

604-666-2872