Port Alberni Sockeye

[Salavee]

Somass Sockeye Stock Assessment Update
Pre-season forecast:
Somass (Great Central and Sproat) – 170,000
Henderson Lake sockeye outlook ~ 10,000 – 15,000
Escapement to June 15: ~ 20,163
Test Fishery: Seine vessel Nita Maria testing June 12th and 13th Estimate 40K inside 10-mile Point; 25K outside
First in-season re-forecast: June 29th
Catch Estimate: 1,733
Somass First Nations – 0
Maa-nulth First Nations – 0
Area D Gillnet - 0
Area B Seine - 0
Recreational – 0
Test Fishery – 1,733
JUNE FISHING PLANS:
All Fishing plans are subject to change depending on weekly meetings.
Due to the low sockeye forecast the First Nations, Recreational and, Commercial sectors have agreed to no sockeye fisheries.
No changes to fishing plans this week. Escapement is somewhat higher than expected based on current forecast however the age 4 proportion is lower.
Recreational
At the June 8 Harvest Committee meeting the following closure was recommended to further protect migrating sockeye.
A finfish closure from June 14th to August 1st in Subarea 23-1 to 23-3 which means the Alberni Inlet is now closed to fishing from the tidal signs above the rapids at Paper Mill Dam in the Somass River downstream and south including Alberni Inlet, to a line from the Chup Point Light to Mutine Point. (This does not include trap fishing for prawn and crab.) This is a temporary measure and may be removed at short notice if the sockeye forecast increases and allows retention.
Please Note: The outer portion of Area 23 from Subarea 23-4 to 23-11 remains open to all fishing (except sockeye).
For more information please contact the DFO office in Port Alberni at 250 720-444