ih'(l(, F1shenes Peches and Environment et Environnement I. Canada Canada '11~11- Fandish eriMarjo~es i . Se rvi.ce des peches rl~t~~~;cs e t /\T~E~ 1 e'!b@~tA~ r

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THE 1976 RETURN OF CHUM SALMON STOCKS TO THE - STUDY AREA, AND PROSPECTS FOR 1977

A.O. ANDERSON

Technical Report Series Pac/ T - 77 -12

Field Operations Directorate Pacific Region THE 1976 RETUPN OF CHUM SALMON STOCKS TO THE

JOHN~TONE STR~IT -F RASEF RIVER STUDY APEA, AND PROSPECTS FOR 1977

A.D. ANDERS0N

TECHNICAL REPORT SERIES PAC/T-77-12

FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT CANADA FIELD OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE PACIFIC REGION

SEPTE~BER 1977

i TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ...... 1

THE 1976 SEASON REVIEW ...... 2 The Fishery The Escaperoent The Stock Size and Summary

. . THE 1977 SEASON ...... 10 Prospects for the 1977 Level of Abundance (a) Magnitude of the Age Five Return

(b) ~agnitude of the Age Four Return (c) Magnitude of the Age Three Return

(d) ~agnitude of the Fraser River Stock

(e) ~agnitude of the Big Qualicum River Stock (f) Forecast for the 1977 Return

CONSIDERATIONS FOR 1977 MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS 13

Escapement Requirements Potential Catch Conservation Requirements

APPENDICES ...... , . . 16 A. Major regulations and fishing effort by statistical area and week during the 1976 chum season. B. Chum Salmon escapements in thousands of fish, recorded by stream and totalled by sub-area.

i i

----··----- INTRODUCTION

The status of the Johnstone Strait-Fraser River Study Area chum salmon stocks has been analyzed and reported annually since 1961. This seventeenth report, a continuation of that study, includes a sununary of the 1976 return, a forecast of the 1977 level of abundance, and recommended conservation requirements and total allowable catch for the 1977 chum salmon return.

The Study Area, consisting of ~he Johnstone Strait and regions and all tributary streams , is for the purpose of management and analysis, divided into t hirteen sub-areas (Fig. 1). In total, there are approximately 120 streams contributing to the chum sal mon harvest. Most of the chum salmon stocks migrate to these streams from the north via Johnstone Strait.

Figure 1. The Johnstone Strait-Fraser River chum salmon study area.

- 1 - This report, in comparison to previous reports, does not present proposed

r ~gulations for the 1977 fishery. The regulatory proposals are to be developed at 4 later date following consultation with the Johnstone Strait-Georgia Strait­ Fraser River Chum Salmon Advisory Committee. This newly formed conunittee, composed of seven fishermen representing gillnet and seine interests from the Fraser River, Strait of Georgia, and the lower and upper Johnstone Strait areas, will review the expected run sizes and conservation needs, consider fishing patterns and options, and make recommendations. Following this consultative process, finalized regulatory proposals for the fishery will be circulated to all fishermen, their organizations, and processors in the form of an information bulletin.

THE 1976 SEASON REVIEW

For 1976 an above average return of 3.6 million chum salmon, similar to 1972 return, had been projected for the Study Area. Included in this return, consisting of 60,000 age five, 2,780,000 age four and 760 , 000 age three fish, were the Fraser River and Big Qualicum River runs expected to total 1 , 048,000 and 330 , 000 re­ spectively. Two closures were proposed for the Johnstone Strait fishery. These closures , in addition to protecting weak runs to Toba Inlet and Nimpkish River, were designed to protect the early and late segments of the Fraser River run. To adequately harvest the stronger runs to , Mid, Lower, and Southern Island local fisheries were proposed to supplement the exploitation anticipated in Johnstone Strait. The proposed regulations , for the projected returns were developed to provide a catch of 1.6 million and an escapement of 2 .0 million chums. Of the catch; 1.0 million chums were anticipated to be taken in Areas 12 and 13, 170,000 in Area 14, 50,000 in Areas 17 and 18, 150,000 in Area 28 , and about 200, 000 in Area 29. The escapement objective of 2.0 million, which in the past produced maximum catches, would have maintained the rehabilitated escapements of the cycle years of 1972 and 1973.

The Fisherz

Catch Records detailed by week and statistical area are sununarized in Table I . Details of the weekly fishing, including days, fleet sizes and regulations are summarized in Appendix A.

The catch of chum salmon in the Study Area totalled 1 , 035,772. Of this

- 2 - catch; 787,704 was taken in Areas 12 and 13, 73,961 in Areas 14 to 18, and 174,107 in Area 29 . The total was less than the cycle catch of 1,936,200 in 1972, however, it was the third largest catch since the re-start-up of the fishery in 1967. Of the total catch, 673 , 657 (65.0%) was taken by purse seine and 360,753 (34.8%) by gillnets.

Table 1. Catch of Study Area chum salmon by statistical area and week during 1976.

Week Statistical Area Ending 12 13 14 29 Total

To August 79 , 397 7 ' 936 1,336 September 4 12 , 363 6' 755 855 11 24 ' 992 27,646 847 18 36,047 14,642 391 25 78,749 40 ' 4 77 2,069

October 2 74,400 72 ' 565 17, 460 9 16 70,693 113,252 10' 263 103, 293 23 41,730 33,514 28,077 30 13,948 37 , 239 45 , 540

December 11 28,478

Totals* 433,678 354 , 026 66 , 949 174, 107 1,035 '772

* Includes test-fishing, troll catches and early season incidental catches in the Gulf .

The total catch was some 600,000 less than the 1.6 million expected. The reduced catch was the result of the very low abundance of the late stocks . By comparing the recorded catch for Areas 12 and 13, to the preseason expectations, a trend in the seasonal strength of the return is apparent (Table 2) . The strength of the first half of the return was about equal to that expected. For the last half, however, the strength was considerably less than expected. The local fisheries proposed for the Strait of Georgia, particularly Areas 14 and 28, were

- 3 - dependent on the strengt h of the late stocks . The weak late stocks, in addition to reducing the catch in Areas 12 and 13 by about 325 ,000, also reduced the Gulf catch by about 295,000.

Table 2. Recorded fishing days and catches in comparison to proposed days and expected catches for Areas 12 and 13.

Week Proposed Expected Recorded Ending Days Catches Days Catches

Sept 11 2 25,000 3 52,638 18 2 40,000 2 50,689 25 2 75,000 2 119' 229

Oct 2 0 2 146,965 9 2 255 ,000 0 16 2 210,000 2 183,945 23 2 200,000 2 75,244 30 2 200,000 1 51,187

Nov 6 0 0

TOTALS 14 1,005,000 14 6 79 ,897

The return of Fraser River chums was expected to total 1,040,000. With an escapement objective of about 550 , 000 and the proposed fishing pattern, it was expected that 290,000 would be harvested in Areas 12 and 13 and that the catch in Area 29 would not exceed 200,000 . The actual return, as calculated from recorded escapement and catch figures, was 1 , 196,000. (Table 3) . The catch of Fraser chums in Areas 12 and 13 totalled 335,200, in Area 29, 174,000 and the catch in American fishery at Point Roberts totalled 98,100. The escapement to the Fraser River has been calculated at 588, 700.

- 4 - Table 3. Catch escapement, total stock, and percent exploitation of Fraser River chums.

Catch Return Areas Point Total Total Exploit- Year 12 & 13 % Roberts % - Area 29 % Catch Escapement Stock ation % 1967 35, 630 11. 7 8,420 2.8 46,540 15.4 90,590 212,000 302,590 29.9 1968 227,910 17.2 72,200 5.4 202,370 15.3 502,480 822,040 1,324,520 37.9 1969 125,050 19. 7 31,080 4.9 88,930 14.0 245,060 390 ,100 635,160 38 .6 1970 147,420 21.5 55,120 8.1 178,920 26.1 381,460 303,080 684,540 55.7 1971 19,660 4.8 13,900 3.4 21,690 5.2 55,250 356, 720 411, 970 13.4 1972 642,000 38.8 177, 770 10.7 256,370 15.5 1,076, 140 579,700 1,655,840 65 . 0 1973 679,570 46.5 137 ,270 9.4 190,520 13.0 1,007 ,360 453,000 1,460,360 69 . 0

\JI 1974 89,730 10. 7 94,630 11.2 93,130 I 11.0 277 ,490 565,300 842,790 32.9 1975 88,260 19.5 50,760 11.2 73,260 16.2 212,280 235,300 447,580 47 .4 1976 335,200 28.0 98, 100 8.2 174,100 14.6 607,400 588,700 1,196,100 50.8

Average Percent

1967-71 111,130 15.0 36,140 4.9 107 ,000 15. 2 254, 970 35.1 1972-76 366,950 28.7 111, 710 10 .1 157,470 14.1 636,130 52.9 It is of interest to compare the distribution of catch of Fraser River chums within the Study Area during the last ten years (Table 4) . During the five year period of 1967 to 1971 , following the re-start-up of the fishery, the catch of Fraser chums within t he Study Area averaged 254,970 annually. Of this catch; 43.6 percent (111,130) was taken in the Area 12 and 13 Johnstone Strait fishery , 14.2 percent (36,140) in the American fishery at Point Roberts and 42 . 2 percent (107 , 000) in Area 29 Fraser River fishery. During the current five year period of 1972 to 1976 the Fraser River chum run has been larger and has supplied a much larger annual catch averaging 636,130 to these three fisheries . The percent of catch in Johnstone Strait has increased to 57.7 percent (366,950), at Point Roberts it has increased to 17 . 6 percent (111,710) but in the Fraser River it has decreased to 24.7 percent (157 , 470).

Table 4. Total catch and percent distribution of the Fraser River chum catch.

Percent Return Johnstone Point Fraser Year Total Catch Strait Roberts River

1967 90,590 39. 3 9 . 3 51.4 1968 502,480 45.4 14.4 40 . 2 1969 245,060 51.0 12.7 36 . 3 1970 381,460 38.7 14. 4 46 . 9 1971 55 , 250 35.6 25 . 2 39 . 2 1972 1,076,140 59 . 7 16.5 23.8 1973 1, 007 , 360 67.5 13.6 18.9 1974 277 , 490 32.3 34.0 33.7 1975 212,280 41. 6 23.9 34 . 5 1976 607 , 400 55 . 2 16 . 2 28 . 6

Average 196 7- 71 254 , 970 43.6 14.2 42.2

Average 1972-76 636 , 130 57.7 17.6 24.7

- 6 - . The run to Big Qualicum was expected to total 330,000 chums and provide about 205 , 000 catch. Of this catch it was anticipated that 120,000 would be taken in Area 14 . Other local runs, mainly the Puntledge River chums , were anticipated to provide an additional catch of 50,000 in Area 14 . In addition it was expected that between 50,000 to 60,000 coho returning to Big Qualicum River and Rosewall Creek would be available for harvest.

The actual chum return to Big Qualicum, as calculated from recorded escapement and catch figures totalled 171,700 (Table 5). This less than expected return provided a catch of 79,700 and an escapement of 92,000. Of the total catch, 42,600 (53.5%) was taken in Johnstone Strait, and 37,100 (46.5%) in Area 14 mainly during the early December fishery .

During the early season fisheries in Area 14 (weeks ending October 16 and 23) two unsuccessful attempts were made to harvest returning coho surplus to hatchery needs at Big Qualicum. The coho catch during these two fisheries totalled 5,729 pieces. During this same period the " incidental catch" of chums totalled 38,331. This early season catch of chums was taken mainly f r om the Little Qualicum run. The chum escapement to Little Qualicum, recorded at 22,500 was considerably less than adequate. Future fisheries in Area 14 to harvest sur­ plus Big Qualicum coho will be dependent on the reduction of the incidental catch of chums.

Table 5. Summary of the 1977 return of chum salmon to the Big Qualicum.

Statistical Fishing Days Catches Area Dates Fishing Catch

12 Oct 10-12 2 9 ,100 13 Oct 17-19 2 14,000 Oct 24-26 1 19,500

14 Oct 17-19 2 8,600 Dec 4- 5 28 , 500

Total Catch 79, 700 Escapement 92,000

Total Return 171, 700

- 7 - The Escapement

The escapements recorded for 1976, in comparison to previous years, are listed by major streams in Appendix B and summarized by sub- areas in Table 6 . The estimates of escapement during 1960-1969 to the Fraser River are based on tag and recapture information. Since 1970, the estimates are based on the relationship of past tagging estimates to those obtained by visual observations. The 1976 estimates of escapement to the Fraser River are based on this relationship and include a calculated escapement to mainstream river .

The escapement of chum salmon to the Study Area in 1976 totalled 1,306,880 (Table 6). The escapement was less than anticipated, and less than the 1 . 9 million recorded for the 1972 cycle. It does, however, maintain the average recorded during the 1970's. On a sub-area basis, only the escapement to the Fraser River could be considered adequate. Escapement levels to all other sub­ areas must be considered less than adequate.

Table 6 . Escapements of Study Area chum salmon by sub- area

Sub-Area 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976

Upper Vane. Is. 4,140 530 4,650 2,160 1, 700 200 150 24,300 6,350 51,900 87,000 68,000 18,400 65,400 Bond to Knight 92,930 11, 700 115,650 178,250 62,280 20,080 86, 100 Johnstone St. 22,580 10,150 32,480 32,050 8 , 550 7,500 11,250

Lough to~te 117, 530 21,100 235,650 215,250 81 , 250 78 , 200 159,850 Mid-Vane. Is . 298, 680 165,360 246 , 650 321,370 233,120 181,940 166,530 Toba Inlet 9,650 23,050 50,300 11, 150 27,210 17,880 11, 760 64,920 40,690 88,410 92,450 90,560 48,910 22,930 Lower Vane . Is. 56 , 440 32,500 104,350 66,360 50,620 19,740 18, 710 South Vane. Is. 47,750 23,000 122,000 111, 500 108,000 61,000 50,500 Howe Sound 100,000 22,500 305,000 215,000 130,000 50,000 105,000 15,000 7,500 35,000 35,000 7, 500 15,000 20 , 000 Fraser River 303, 720 356, 720 579,700 453,000 565,300 235,300 588,700

TOTAL 1,157 ,010 721, 150 1 , 971 , 740 1,820,540 1, 434,030 754,150 1,306,880 - 8 - The Stock Size and Summary

The 1976 return of chum salmon to the Study Area totalled 2,342,700 and represents an average return for recent years . (Table 7). From the return, a harvest of 1,035,800 was taken. This harvest represented a 44 percent rate of exploitation and is comparable to the recent year average of 46 percent.

On the basis of an average escapement in 1976 the 1980 return can only be expected to be average. If rehabilitation of the chum stock is to be achieved by providing additional escapements, a less than average fishery is to be expected for 1980.

The trend of stock rehabilitation, through increased escapements by regulation, is evident in Figure 2. Escapements during 1960-1969 averaged 0.87 million, and exceeded 1.0 million only in 1968. Since 1969 escapements have averaged 1.31 million and in two of these years escapements near the rehabilitated level of 2 .0 million were achieved. If the current trend continues, rehabilitation could be achieved during the early 1990's.

Table 7. Catch, escapement, and percent exploitation of Study Area chum salmon.

Percent Year Catch Escapement Total Return Exp loitation

1970 1,025,200 1, 157,000 2,182,200 47 1971 116, 200 721 , 200 837 , 400 14 1972 1,936,200 1,971,700 3,907,900 50 1973 2,896,700 1,820,500 4 ' 717' 200 61 1974 367 ' 700 1,434,000 1 , 801, 700 20 1975 513,900 754,100 1,268,000 40 1976 1,035,800 1, 306,900 2,342,700 44

AVERAGE 1,127,400 1,309,200 2,436,600 46

- 9 - 4.5 ) ~-, ,, I \ 4.0 I I \ TOTAL STOCK ' 3.5 / \ \ ·- .s:; ', / V> \ :+: i / \ I ...... 3.0 0 I \ j \ V> I \ c: 2.5 , , --- 0 ' I I \ I \ " \ I ) ·- 2.0 ' I \ . ,• E ~ lt' \ .. ' ,' 1. 5 ./~ ' / 1 I \ I/ '---- ~ ..... ', ...... "\,/ I' ' ' v ...... L...,...... 1 ~ ""'- ...... ' - ..... "...._ ...... ;; \ ~ ' \ v ~ I/ 1.0 ....__...._ ~ ' ESCAPEMENT ' r--...... ; I I I I / ~- r\, 1/ .5 ', "" 1949 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77

Figure 2. Total st ock and escapement of Study Area chum salmor. for 1949-197 6and forecast for 197 7

THE 19 77 SEASON

Prospects for the 1977 level of Abundance

The 1977 chum salmon return to the Johnstone Strait-Fraser River Study Area will consist of age five fish from the 1972 escapement of 1,971,700, age four fish from the 1973 escapement of 1,820,500 an

An examination of pink salmon production suggests a correlation exists with chum production from the same brood year. For example, when the rate of return for pink salmon is less than average, the rate of return f or chum salmon from the same brood year will also be less than average. On the basis of this relationship, the rate of return for chums from the major 1973 brood year will be less than average and has been calculated at 1.47:1. The rate of return from the minor 1972 and 1974 brood years have been calculated at 1 . 92 :1 and 2.38:1 respectively.

- 10 - In addition, a second relationship has existed between the return of age three fish in one year and the return of age four fish in the subsequent year. The proportion of age three fish returning from each brood year has been calculated for the years 1960 to 1973 (Table 8) . The number of age three fish returning in 1976 from the 1973 brood was low and would confirm a less than average rate of return as calculated from the pink-chum salmon production correlation.

Table 8 . Total production of Study Area chum salmon (1960-73) .

Total Return Percent Return Brood Spawning Returns at Age From Return to Year Escapement 3 years 4 years 5 years Brood Age 3 Escapement

1960 720, 400 386,000 794' 800 17' 100 1,197, 900 32.2 1. 66: 1 1961 647,400 202,500 292,100 27,200 521,800 38.8 0.81:1 1962 715,000 128,100 815,600 16,300 960,000 13.3 1. 34: 1 1963 698,100 201,600 321,800 8,200 531,600 37 . 9 0.76: 1 1964 884,800 566,000 2,173, 200 73,900 2,813,100 20 .1 3.18:1 1965 401, 500 559,100 940'100 19,600 1,518,800 36.8 3.78:1 1966 983,400 664,800 1 , 992 , 300 105,500 2 , 762,600 24.1 2.81:1 1967 709,000 170,200 414,500 74,300 659,000 25.8 0.93:1 1968 1, 877' 300 317,400 3,548,300 773 , 600 4, 639, 300 6.8 2.47:1 1969 1,070, 300 285,300 3,816 , 200 461,800 4,563,300 6 . 3 4.26:1 1970 1,157,000 127,400 955,900 11, 400 1,094,700 11.6 0.95:1 1971 721,200 375,500 510' 100 37 , 500 923,100 40. 7 1.28: 1 1 1972 1,971, 700 750,500 2, 052,200 2,802 , 700 26.8 1. 42: 1 1973 1,820,500 253,000 1974 1,434,000 1975 754 , 100 1976 1,306,900

Average 24.7 1.97:1

1 Incomplete, five year old contingent returns in 1977.

On the basis of these two relationships , the strength of each age class returning in 1977 has been calculated and is detailed in the following sections . A separate projection has been made for the Big Qualicum return. - 11 -

J a) Magnitude of the Age Five Return

The proportion of age five fish produced from a brood year has averaged 5.0 percent. The 1972 escapement has produced 2,802,700 age three and four fish. Accordingly the age five component of the 1977 return, excluding Big Qualicum, is projected at 142,000 chums. b) Magnitude of the Age Four Return

A less than average rate of return of 1.47:1 is forecast for the 1973 brood. As well, age three chums returning in 1976 from the 1973 escapement totalled just 253,000, the sixth lowest on record (Table 8). This low number would also confirm a less than average rate of return and suggest that even 1.47:1 may be optimistic. Accordingly, on the basis of the indicated survivals, the age four component of the 1977 return, excluding Big Qualicum, is projected at only 1,389,000 chums. c) Magnitude of the Age Three Return

A greater than average rate of return of 2.38:1 is forecast for the 1974 brood, The proportion of age three fish produced from a brood year has average 24.7 percent. Accordingly the age three component of the 1977 return, excluding Big Qualicum, is projected at 786,000 chums. d) Magnitude of the Fraser River Stock

The 1977 return, included in the preceeding projections, will total just 756,000 chums. This return, calculated using the ratios of Fraser to non-Fraser escapements to the preceeding projection, will consist of 44,000 age five, 380,000 age four, and 332,000 age three fish. e) Magnitude of the Big Qualicum River Stock

Chum production from Big Qualicum has been enhnaced by controlled water flows and by a spawning channel. These methods provide better fresh water survival conditions. However, the fry produced are still subjected to the same ocean sur­ vivals as other Study Area chums. Although the projected return of Big Qualicum has been based on the enhnaced fry productions, the projection reflects the implied less than average ocean survival for the 1973 brood. Accordingly the Big Qualicum run is projected at 260,000 chums, consisting of 13,000 age five, 158,000 age four, and 89,000 age three fish.

- 12 - f) Forecast for the 1977 Return

Based on the preceeding, the 1977 return to the Study Area is projected at 2,577,000 chum salmon. The expected age composition of this return is 6 .0 percent age five, 60.0 percent age four, and 34.0 percent age three chums. A return of this size would be about average for recent years and similar to the 1976 return.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS FOR 1977

Escapement Requirements

In the past escapements in the order of 2.0 million produced maximum catches. The long term objective has been to rehabilitate the Study Area escapements to this level. The escapements for the contributing brood years of 1972, 1973, and 1974 averaged 1,742,000 . The objective for the 1977 return is to maintain the escapement at about 1.7 million.

Potential Catch

For the projected run size of about 2.6 million an escapement objective of 1.7 million would provide a potential total allowable catch not exceeding 900,000 chums .

Conservation Requirements

Returns to some areas will be weaker than others, in some areas the total return will not meet escapement requirements. These returns have been identified in Table 9. Returns to four areas will not meet escapement requirements and should not be subjected to harvesting. These are Upper , Johnstone Strait (Nimpkish River), Toba Inlet and Burrard Inlet. As well the Fraser River return will require some protection, as the late segment and a portion of the middle segment are expected to be weak. The time of occurrence of the returns in the Johnstone Strait fishery is summarized in Figure 3.

- 13 - Table 9. Projected return and potential allowable catch, by sub-area stock for the 1977 chum return. 1 Minimum1 Maximum Sub- Area Projected Escapement Potential Stock Return Requirements Catch

Upper Vane. Is. 3,200 Total Return 0 Kingcome Inlet 116 ,800 70,000 46,800 Bond to Knight 194,700 120,000 74,700 Johnstone St. 34 , 300 Total Return 0 Lough . to Bute 245 , 900 180,000* 65 ,900 Mid-Vane. I s . 484 , 500 260,000 224 ,500 Toba Inlet 29 , 100 Total Return 0 Jervis Inlet 137,300 90,000 47,300 Lower Vane. Is. 93,100 60,000* 33 ,100 South Vane . Is. 166,200 120,000* 79 ,600 Burrard Inlet 36,300 Total Return 0 Fraser River 756,000 500 ,000* 256 ,000

Total 2, 577,000 1,702,900 874 ,000

1 Escapements marked * are about adequate. Others, although less than adequate, are the averages of the 1972-74 escapements.

---r ~ Johnstone Strait I Nimpkish I I - Loughborough To Bute ' Heyd on -- Middle Vane. Island ' - Puntledge - · _...._ Big Qualicum I Little Qualicum ' -· - ·' I I Toba Inlet I ·------I ; Jervis Inlet - - ·- Saltery -·t--- - ' Deserted __J --t· I -- lower Vane. Island - ' I 1 -+-·- ...... - I i Nanaimo I Southern Vane. Island - ' : Cowichan hi ; Howe Sound l i .-..- ·' i Cheakamus >---- -· I I - Fraser River ' ~- Stave Harrison - - Squakum Chehalis - ' - ! Vedder ,,...... - I I Moinstem Fraser >---· - 'vVashington State 17 23 30 7 14 21 28 4 11 Sept. Oct. Nov. Figure 3. Timing of chum salmon entering upper Johnstone Strait (* indicates week of peak entrance). - 14 - Returns to Upper Vancouver Island and the Nimpkish River can be given the required protection by local boundaries and no specific late season fisheries in Johnstone Strait. However, to provide protection to the anticipated weak returns to Toba Inlet, and Burrard Inlet, and to ensure adequate escapements and to provide some fishing in the Fraser River, will require closures in Johnstone Strait.

Returns to Loughborough- , Jervis Inlet, Lower and Southern Vancouver Island and Howe Sound should be adequately harvested by a moderate fishery in Johnstone Strait and should not require additional local fisheries . Harvesting of the stronger return anticipated to Mid Vancouver Island will be accomplished by local fisheries to supplement harvesting in Johnstone Strait.

As outlined in the Introduction, the members of the Johnstone- Strait-Strait of Georgia-Fraser River Chum Salmon Advisory Connnittee will review the expected run sizes. During the review the members will, considering the conservation needs, evaluate various fishing patterns, and make recommendations. During this process a regulatory proposal for the 1977 chum fisheries will be developed. Tiie finalized proposals will then be circulated to all fishermen, their organizations, and processors in the form of an information bulletin.

- 15 - APPENDIX A

Major regulations and fishing effort by area and week for the 1976 chum s a l mon season.

Number of Week Days Ending Fishing Gillnets Seines Major Regulations

Statistical Area 12

September 25 2 284 166 Nimpkish River exten ded bound­ ary; Cluxewe , Keogh and Adams Rivers box bo undaries ; Goletas Channel; waters wi th surfline between Cape Scott- Cape Sutil; and Mainland Inlets c l osures previously in effect U.F.N. October 2 2 257 188 Started 18:00 Monday, Boundaries as previous week . October 9 0 Closed October 16 2 412 162 Mainland Inlets opened for 24 hours, except , closed easterly of Steep Head­ Protect ion Point . Other bound­ aries as previously established. October 23 2 160 92 Mainland Inlets closed. Other boundaries as previously es­ tablished October 30 1 80 75 As previous week, and then closed for balance of season. Statistical Area 13 September 25 2 149 78 Mainland I nlets closur e pre­ viously in effect for balance of season. October 2 2 100 23 Started 18 : 00 Monday. Boundaries as previous week. October 9 0 Closed October 16 2 206 124 Deepwater Bay boundary rescinded October 23 2 234 219 Bear River boundary reverted to Fall straight line boundary Chancellor Channel closure, boundary moved 1 1/4 miles eastward to Shorter Point-to­ opposite shore . October 30 1 157 257 As previous week and then closed for balance of season.

- 16 - Statistical Area 14

October 9 0 Closed, as previous weeks. October 16 2 190 18 Area opened, one mile west of Thames Creek-Flora Island Light-Sisters Island Light- 2 1/2 miles west of Little Qualicum River-thence shore line to origin. Split fishing times; Gillnets 17:00 Monday to 05:00 Tuesday and 17:00 Tuesday to 07:00 Wednesday ans Seines 06:00 to 18:00 Tuesday and 08:00 to 20:00 Wednesday . October 23 2 276 29 Boundaries as previous week Gillnets, 19:00 Sunday to 07:00 Monday and 19:00 Mon- day to 07:00 Tuesday. Seines• 07:00 to 19 : 00 Monday and 07:00 to 19:00 Tuesday . December 11 2 100 106 Boundary as previous opening. Seines: 10:00 to 16:00 Saturday and 08:30 to 16i00 Sunday; and Gillnets: 16:30 Saturday to 08:00 Sunday, and then closed for balance of season.

Statistical Area 16 September 25 4 16 Sabine Channel and west coast Texada Island area opened to Gillnets, and then closed for balance of season .

Statistical Area 29

September 25 1 300 Closed inside (easterly) o f Blue Line.

October 2 1 677 Twenty-four hours outside Blue Line for all mesh sizes, and eleven hours inside of the Brunswick Cannery line to 8 1/2 minimum mesh . October 9 0 Closed October 16 1 746 All area opened to all mesh. October 23 0 Closed October 30 1 1118 All area opened to all mesh, then closed for balance of season.

- 17 - APPENDIX B

Chum salmon escapements, in thousands of fish, recorded by stream and totalled by sub- area.

1960 to 1969 Avera Re 1.9 7 0 19 7 I 19 7 2 1973 19 74 1975 1976 urPf:R VANCOUVf:R T SI.AND

Cluxewe .83 . 20 .20 . 10 . 4 3 .40 .04 . 06 Keo~h 2 . I ; I. so . 20 I . SO .70 . 40 .03 . 0 I Kahwi t tl .28 • 7 5 ~() NO NO NO . 02 NO Qu::i t se: 5.07 . 7 5 .08 2 . so . 61) . 40 .08 .05 Str.rnby . 02 . 75 Nil NO NA r\O NA NO Tsulquate . S9 .20 .OS . S5 . 4 3 .so . 03 .03 TOTA i. 8.92 4 . 15 . 53 4 . 65 2 . I 6 l . 7 0 .20 . I 5

KTNCCMlf. I NLET

Embly . 50 .40 .20 NO NO NO NCI NO K.in~comc 11 . 20 IS . 00 I. so 3S.OO 40.00 1, s .00 8.00 50 . 00 McKenzie 2. 15 3. 50 3.50 7.00 IS. 00 5.00 3. 00 8.00 Nimmo I . 44 J . SO .75 I . 50 6 . 00 S.00 4 . 00 .90 Tsibass . 3!' I . SO NO .40 6.00 5.00 3. 00 3.00 ~·;1ke1T1rin 3 . 20 . 40 . 40 8.00 20.00 8 . 00 . 40 3. 50

TOTAi. ll\..88 24. 30 6 . J5 SI. 90 87.00 68 . 00 18 . 40 65 .40

ROND TO KNIGllT

Ahnuhati 6. 10 3.50 I . 50 3. 50 4 . 00 I . 00 2. 50 3 . 00 Ah-Ta-Va l ley . 4 9 .40 .20 .40 I . SO . 0 3 NO NO F ra nkl in . 81 Nt\ NA . 7 5 . 7 5 . 7 5 .20 . 40 Gicnd.a l e 17.J6 J5 . 00 .40 15 . 00 40 . 1)0 2.00 . 40 I 60 K.ikwelk~n 3. 15 I . SO . 40 7. 50 8 . 00 NO 2.00 5 . 00 Klini-K l ini 9. 4 I 7. so . 7 5 2S.OO 30.00 7. so 7.50 20 . 00 ~ h o~) I . 80 . 0 J . 7 5 3.SO 4.00 l.00 . 40 .90 \Ii n~r 29.89 30 . 00 7. 50 35 . 00 60 . 00 41l.00 6.00 5 5. 00 1.-'ilhshih l.is (Sim) I. 03 NO NO NO NO NO .08 .20 Wat~ r fa ll 9.37 15 . 00 . 20 2 5. 00 J0 . 00 10. 00 I. 00 NO

TOTA i. 7 9 . 4 I 92 . 9 J 11. 70 I 15. 6 S I 78. 2 5 62.28 20.08 86 . 10 .IO ll NSTONI' STRA I :r

Ad:un - t'v<: .8S NO NO . 7 5 NO NO NO NO Fu l more .90 I. so .40 4 . 00 2 . 00 I .00 . 40 .so Hyacin th I. 62 I . 50 .so 6.50 J . so I. 50 I. 50 J. 50 Kok ! sh . 37 . 08 NO .08 .so . 30 . I 0 .20 Nin,pkish 24 . 25 18.00 7 . 50 20 . 00 25 . 00 5.00 8.00 6.00 Robbers Noh . 01 NO NO NO NO 110 NO NO !';l l mon I . 46 I. 50 . 7 5 . 75 . 7 5 . 7 5 I. 50 .75 Tsftikn .03 NO NO . 40 .30 NO NO NO

TOTAi. 29 . 4Q 22.S8 I 0. I S 32. 48 32 .OS 8 . 5 5 7. 50 11. 25

l. OUCllllOROUC.11 ·ro BUTE

Arlllour de CCl~mos .J6 I. so . 20 .40 3.50 . 75 NO . 20 Ar1>I o I . 3 J 20 . 00 s.oo 3.50 15.00 5.00 1 . 50 l. 50 Cumsack . JI . OJ NO NO NO NO 110 NO He yd on I 0 . 4 8 7S.00 7 . 50 JS. 00 35.00 10. 00 J . 50 . 7 5 Homathko J . 26 3.50 I . SO 75.00 7. 50 7. so 3.50 7 . so Orford 7 . 58 3.50 • 7 s 35 . 00 100 . 00 15.00 5S . 00 I J7 . 00 Ph ill fps 2 . 61 3 . 50 . 75 7. 50 15 . 00 3. 50 3 . 50 I.SO South>~;lte 6. 65 7. 50 3.50 75 . 00 3S . OO J5 . 00 3 . 50 7.50 ~ t ;tfforJ-Fr:i~er I . J 7 I. 50 I. 50 . 7 5 J.50 J . 00 . 95 . 40 Vil ln~e llay I . 13 I. 50 . 40 J. so . 7 s I. 50 . 75 3. 50

TOTAL J5 . 08 I I 1. S 3 2 I. I 0 2 3S. 6S 215. 2) 81. 25 78 . 20 159. 85

MID - VANCOU\lf:R ISLAND

Campbell-Qu insarn I.JI J.50 I. 50 J . 50 5 . 00 J . 90 3 . 40 5.50 Cook I. 63 5. 00 I. JO 7.50 4 . 00 5 . 00 3. 00 I. 20 Cou~nr .76 . JO . 20 . 70 . so .20 . 07 . I 8 £np,l i shman ' s 3. 58 3 . 50 J . SO 15.00 7 . 50 5 . 00 . 75 l. 50 French .so . OJ . 03 J.50 . 40 . 25 .03 . 03 McNaughton .86 4 . 50 I. 10 I . 50 I . 80 2.50 . 70 . 30 Ni 1 e . I 5 .OJ .03 . 40 .07 . 02 . OJ .03 Oyste r .48 . 20 . 10 . 85 .25 .50 .45 . 4 5 Puntle d ~e 3J. 40 34 . 00 14 . 50 60 . 00 55 .00 45.00 2 7 . 50 35.00 Bil( Oualicum 55.52 I 32. JO 106.00 80.JO 163. 95 96. 4 0 109.95 9 2. 00 Little Qunl I cum 42.50 104 . 77 35 . 00 S0 . 00 75 . 00 65.00 3S.OO 22 . 50 Rosewal l I . 7 8 2 . 00 . 60 3.00 2 . 6 s . 80 .J3 . I 3 Tsable 6.S3 7 . 00 I . 10 16.00 3. 50 6.00 .40 7. 50 Tsolum . 77 .20 NO NO NO .05 . 20 . 08 W

TOTAi. I 5 I . 2() 298 . 68 165 . J6 246.~5 J2 I . 3 7 2 3 J. I 2 18 I . 91, 166. 5J 18 APPENDIX B CON ' T TOBA INLET

Brem l. 00 .so ". 00 s.oo 1. no .20 l.00 .40 For he a .53 .so .40 l .oo . 10 4.00 .30 I. 50 Kl Ito 2. S2 I. 00 3.00 I. 80 l. so .Ol 2.00 . 7 s fll·covt':r .80 .40 .20 3. "" .70 .so 3. 50 l. 66 Qua tu• I. 17 l. so .40 4.SO 3. so 3. so 6.00 .7~ Salr Lar.oon . 10 .OS .OS NO .os )10 .08 .20 Theodosia 5.8S 2.20 2.00 IS.00 2.30 7.00 2.00 3.SO Toba 7. 2S 2.00 10.00 14.00 l .oo 12.00 6.00 I. so Lit th Toba 2.60 l. so 3. 00 6.00 l. 00 ~o 2. QI) l. 50

TOTAi. 21. 82 9.6S 23.0S S0.30 l I. ls 2 7. 21 17.88 11. 76

JEl\V l S INLET

An~us (Pete) 2.70 . 4 2 . 10 2.00 3.01) .so .so .80 Brltteln . 61 . ls NO l. 00 • 10 .so .03 .05 Chamberl•ln !. 3S .20 . 01 l. 00 . so .20 .OS .20 Deserted 6. 10 JO. 00 10.00 30.00 30. 00 2 5. so I 5 .00 2 . SO Mou at Roy . 20 2.00 . 21\ NO . 01 .08 NA Pender Harbour 3 . 46 3.20 2.SO 16.00 16.00 15.00 3. 00 4.00 Saktnew Lake .93 . 10 .OS . 10 .20 .30 .20 . 40 Saltcry Boy (Murphy) l 2. SS ! S . 00 7.00 8 . 00 14. 00 9.00 8.00 4.40 Shannon .69 . 10 .02 .so . 20 NO . 10 . so Skwawkn I . 4 2 6.50 3. 00 8.00 l. 00 3.00 . 20 . 25 Sl lnmon 4.81 4.00 3. 00 3. so 7. 00 5 .00 4. so 6.00 Sn•kc . 76 .OS . 01 .40 . os .OS .05 .35 Thu nder Bay . I 7 , 1,0 .30 .20 .40 I .00 I. 00 . J 8 TzonnJc 14 . 4 5 1. 20 11. 00 12 . 00 11. 00 2S.OO 11. 00 l. 85 Vancouver I . 4 4 l. 20 . so 2 . SO 8 . 00 4. 50 .20 .so Wolfson (LonA) 2 . 8 2 I. 20 l. 20 3.00 I .00 l. 00 S . 00 . 7 s

TOTAL 5 4 . 26 64.92 40.69 88. 4 0 92.4S 90.56 48.91 2 2 . 9 3 LOWER VANCOUVER ISLAND

BonsAll . 21 . l 7 .20 . 4 s . 2 7 .60 .48 .70 Bush 2.27 6 . 75 I . SO 6.60 2.6S 2.20 .38 .4S Brunnel 1 3. 31 2.35 2. 3S 3.00 8.SO .9S l. so . 0 l Hollnnd (l03rd) 4. 6S 7.SO l. 9 s l0.2S 3.70 . 5 7 . Sil .60 ~:tna tao 20. 10 10.00 l 7. so 70.00 36.00 38.00 lS.00 14 . 00 Na noose 1.00 2.80 2.80 l l .60 13.00 6.SO . 90 l. 70 Stocking Lake l. 72 6.7S S.SS 2. 20 2.20 l. 30 .85 l .10 Ila! kc1·s . 32 . 12 .65 .2S .04 . so . 13 . l S TOTAL 33. S8 56 .44 32.SO 104. 35 66.36 S0.62 19. 74 18. 7 I SOUTHERN VANCOUVt:R ISLAND

Che0tolnus 9.20 3.7S J.00 24.SO 24.00 20.SO 4.SO 3. 00 Cowl ch an S5.SO 3S . OO 15.00 90.00 7 S. ?O 7S.00 50.00 40. 00 Coldstream 6 . 98 7.SO 3. so 3.so 1.so 7. 50 l. 5v 3.50 Koksl 1"h s.2s l. so l. 50 4.00 S.00 s.oo S . 00 4 . 00

TOTAL 76 . 9 3 47 .7S 23. "" 122.00 Ill .SO 108.00 6 1 .00 so.so HOWE SOUND

Chcnknmus 19.28 2S.OO 4. 50 60.00 50 .00 35.00 7. s o IS.00 Mamq unm 2.78 25.00 ) .SO 45.00 4 5. 00 2S.OO 7. so IS.00 Sq u om l sh 16. 7 5 50.00 15 .00 200 . 00 120.00 70 .00 35 . 00 75.00

TOTAL 38.81 100.00 22.50 30 5. 00 2 15 .00 130 .00 50.00 IOS.00

BURRARD IN LET

Indian S.8S 15.00 7.50 35.00 35 .00 7. 50 15 .IJO 20.00

FRASER R!IJF.R

Alouettc N. • 34 .40 .75 . 7 5 3.50 l. JO . 7 s .03 Alouette s. l.05 . 7 5 l. so 7.50 7.so 4. 50 2.80 7. so Blaney . 48 .20 . 7 5 . 7 s l. 50 . 4 5 .20 .20 Bouchlcr .28 . 20 .07 . 40 . 40 .07 .08 .40 Chehalis 2S. l l l S .00 35.00 35.00 S2.00 S2. 20 S2. 10 S2.20 HarrSaon 87 .89 ll 7 .10 116. 45 144 .00 52.00 111 .80 22. 30 111. 80 Inches 2.33 2.40 l. so .40 I. so 7.40 7 .50 1. ;o Kan aka . 14 .40 .40 I. 50 3.SO l.00 .80 .20 Nico0ten I. 12 l. so l. 50 .40 .40 . 7 s 3.50 7. SO Norr I sh (Suicide) 2. 31 I. SO . 7 s 5.00 . 7 5 l. so 7.so I. 50 Squakum 9.61 6.90 7.50 24 .00 19 .00 8.80 8.80 8.80 Stave 4 s. 41 66.10 4 7. 50 S3.00 27.00 63. 70 6 .40 13.20 Vedder-Chllliwack* 7 l . 2 3 62.40 71. 3S 110. 00 SS .00 57. 30 58.20 108.00 West . 13 .20 .20 .20 .20 .30 .20 . 40 llhonnock . 70 l. so .40 .40 l. so I. 50 l. so . 7 s Weaver 3.05 I. SO l. so 3S.OO 26.00 JS.00 15.00 15.00 Worth .ll .03 .40 NO !10 ~o ~o t. ;o Halnstem Fraser 66. 35 2S.OO 7 1. 00 16 l . 40 20 l. 2S 217.73 47.67 233. 22

TOTAL 3 1 7. 64 30 3. 08 3S6.72 579.70 4S3.00 S65.30 235.30 588. 70

GRAND TOTAL 880.24 l . 157. 0 l 721.15 1,9 71. 714 l,820 . S4 l, 434.03 7 s 4. 15 I , 306 . 88

1960 to 1969 1970 1971 1972 19 73 19 74 197S 1976 Average • Includes Swcl tzer NO • None Observed 19 NA• Not A•sessed o r report miss in~