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by Deboroh Steel
Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter
Nov. 30, 2006
Hupacasath - Preliminary
reports from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) indicate concern
for Barkley sockeye in 2007, with a jack return of less than 10% of average
in 2006.
Somass escapements in 2006 were below average, particularly in age four fish.
Henderson Lake sockeye are faring somewhat better with a slight increase from recent unprecedented low escapements, but the 2007 returns are expected to be low as well.
In 1993 the estimated escapements to Clemens Creek inched near the 160,000 mark. In 2006 that number has plummeted to 3,500. Kennedy and Jentzen lakes are considered depressed as well.
The preliminary report was given at the West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) Salmon Summit by Arlene Tompkins, a DFO assessment biologist working at the Nanaimo biological station. She said the official peer-review numbers would come in March or April.
Barkley sockeye stock assessment activities include intense escapement estimates, test fishing and weekly re-forecasting and biosampling, she said.
Tompkins reported that WCVI hatchery Chinook were expected to be strong, and 2007 returns of wild Chinook would be similar to those in 2006, which saw an increase over 2005.
The stock, however, is still rated low, meaning the abundance of Chinook falls between 25% and 75% of target.
For the Robertson Creek Coho, the 2006 jack return was higher than in 2005 and is expected to trend upward in 2007.
Brood
year escapements for Chum were average, though forecasting chum remains
variable. Still average returns are expected for 2007.
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