South Coast Salmon Bulletin #4 22 September, 2017 Escapement Update All salmon species – Strait of Georgia Stock Assessment
SUMMARY: This bulletin details the current in-season escapement information for major river systems in the Strait of Georgia (SG) for migrating salmon species available up to the bulletin release date. Estimates reported here are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution. Finalized estimates will be made available in the months following the escapement season.
Environmental Conditions: Water levels in the Strait of Georgia river systems remain low for this time of year and some systems may not have enough flow for migration, especially the smaller creeks. With some significant rains over the past week, and additional rain in the forecast, water levels are expected to rise.
Operations: The major hatcheries, First Nations and Stock Assessment staff in SG area have conducted selected enumerations beginning as early as June (Sakinaw sockeye, summer chinook and pink runs) and counts will continue into the New Year for later coho spawners. Pink enumerations have begun on some rivers and 3 flight counts have been conducted in Jervis Inlet/Narrows Inlets. Many hatcheries and other community groups will be operating fences or conducting walks for escapement enumeration, assisting in loading spawning channels and broodstock collections.
****ESCAPEMENT****** is the the number of salmon returning to the spawning grounds. In the absence of other sources of mortality, the total run-size to a system is the total catch plus the total escapement.
