2024 is the lowest forecasted Fraser Sockeye run on record at 567,000 fish. So far, 55,300 Sockeye have travelled through the Fraser at Mission, which is slightly above the forecasted number for this time. However, it is early in the run, with many uncertainties. With the low abundance, opportunities for Sockeye to catch are extremely limited across all fisheries. A 5-week rolling window closure has been implemented, impacting fisheries other than Sockeye to protect the imperilled Early Stuart Sockeye run. In addition, many fisheries tests have been put on hold to limit the impacts further.

 

Flows on the Fraser are currently on the low side of normal for this time of year, as measured at Hope. Flows at the Big Bar Rock Slide site are above the critical threshold where major passage issues are expected, so fish are currently able to pass, and chinook salmon have been detected above the site. Water temperatures on the Fraser are near record highs for this time of year, at 19 °C. Drought conditions are being monitored closely.

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Kʷukʷscémxʷ (thank you)

 

Nathan Lustig

NWSFA, Fisheries Biologist

2024 is the lowest forecasted Fraser Sockeye run on record at 567,000 fish. 107,800 Sockeye have been detected in the Fraser River mainstem at Mission so far, which has fallen slightly below the expected forecast for this current time. This number is a shift from last week, where they were tracking above estimates, suggesting run timing is slightly early. In-season adjustments to the anticipated run size are not warranted at this current time, as it is still too early in the run. In the coming weeks, DFO and BC Interior First Nations expect the majority of Sockeye to show up. Marine gill-net fisheries are still on hold to limit incidental mortality to at-risk sockeye stocks. Purse-seine marine test fisheries have been operating and were showing strong catches earlier but have declined and are currently below expectations.

 

The water temperature in the Fraser is still at record highs, peaking around 21 degrees on the weekend. However, we expect the water temperature to lower to seasonal norms this week. Flow in the Fraser is approaching historic lows for this time of year but is still not causing any passage concern. More fish have moved through the Big Bar Rockslide site. Drought conditions are being monitored closely, and management adjustments will be employed to account for these conditions if warranted.

​

Kʷukʷscémxʷ (thank you)

 

Nathan Lustig

NWSFA, Fisheries Biologist