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Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Peches et Oceans Canada
Jennifer Nener Area Director, Lower Fraser area #3-100 Annacis Parkway Delta, Be V3M 6A2 Telephone Fax
(604) 666路6478
(604) 666路8729
July 16,2014 Via E-mail
To: First Nations Chiefs, Councilors and Fishery Representatives,
Re: 2014 Early Stuart Sockeye In-Season Update - Extension of Window Closure The purpose of this letter is to provide an update on the 2014 Early Stuart sockeye run, As of July 15, 2014 information provided from the Pacific Salmon Commission indicates that the run is tracking closer to the p25 than to the p50 (mid-point) and is later than the Area 2050% date of July 4th, used for pre-season planning. The run size adopted by the Fraser Panel on July 11, 2014 was 189,000 Early Stuart sockeye with a peak Area 20 timing of July 7th , 3 days later than predicted In addition, current and forecast river temperatures are approximately 2掳 C higher than average. The Fraser Panel adopted a change to the management adjustment on July 15th from the pre-season estimate of 0.86 to 2.12. This means the number of fish required to meet the spawning escapement target of 108,000 fish is larger than the current run size. Based on this information, Early Stuart sockeye are being managed to the Low Abundance Exploitation Rate of 10%. The intention ofthe Low Abundance Exploitation Rate is to allow for limited fisheries directed on more abundant co-migrating stocks or species. This provision is not intended to create directed harvest opportunities with the exception of limited terminal fisheries. The 2014/2015 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for South Coast Salmon proposed window closure dates to protect 90% of the Early Stuart run. This table was based on the assumption that 50% of the Early Stuart sockeye would have passed through Area 20 by July 4th. Based on in-season information the run appears to be at least three days later than this date. Information at this time is uncertain and can change rapidly. Due to the lateness of the run relative to pre-season expectations, the smaller run size and the larger management
adjustment, the proposed window closure dates provided in the IFMP will be modified to include at minimum a three day extension.
Canada