Gitanyow Fisheries
Authority
P.O. Box 397 Kitwanga, B.C. V0J 2A0
Tel: (250) 849-5373 Fax: (250) 849-5375
www.gitanyowfisheries.com
October 9, 2015
2015 Kitwanga River Salmon Enumeration Facility Update #12
The Gitanyow Fisheries Authority is pleased to announce that the Kitwanga River Salmon
Enumeration Facility (KSEF) is operational again this year marking its 13th consecutive year.
GFA would like to thank the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Pacific
Salmon Commission and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Prince Rupert Stock Assessment) for
providing funding and making the operation possible again this year. As in other years GFA will
provide weekly updates on salmon escapement throughout the KSEF sampling period.
Water levels in the Kitwanga River are currently holding at 0.90 m, approximately 5 cm higher
than normal. Since the last update, daily water temperatures have dropped slightly and are now
averaging 5-8°C. Total salmon counts to the night of October 7th, 2015 are as follows:
Sockeye = 4,602
Chinook = 897
Pink = 95,101
Chum = 312
Coho = 1,043
To date we have counted 4,602 sockeye through the fence. This year’s sockeye escapement
compares to a previous maximum observed to the day of 20,800 in 2010, which resulted in an
overall escapement of 20,804 and the minimum observed to the day of 239 in 2007 which
resulted in an overall escapement of 240 for the year. Based on average run timing to the day
(2003-2014) it is predicted that approximately 92% of the run should now be past the KSEF.
We have counted 897 Chinook through the fence. This year’s Chinook escapement compares to
a maximum observed to the day of 3,225 in 2007 which resulted in an overall escapement of
3,225 and the minimum observed to the day of 758 in 2013 which resulted in an overall
escapement of 758 for the year. Based on average run timing for Chinook salmon to the day
(2003-2014) it is predicted that approximately 100% of the run should now have passed the
KSEF.
We have counted 95,101 pink through the fence. This year’s odd-pink escapement compares to
a previous odd-year maximum observed to the day of 559,860 in 2009 which resulted in an
overall escapement of 559,865 and the minimum observed to the day of 68,410 in 2011, which
resulted in an overall escapement of 68,410. Based on average run timing (2003-2014) it is
predicted that approximately 100% of the run should now be past the KSEF.
To date we have counted 312 chum through the fence. This year’s chum escapement compares
to a previous maximum observed to the day of 1,862 in 2005, which resulted in an overall
escapement of 1,862 and the minimum observed to the day of 150 in 2008, which resulted in
overall escapement of 150. Based on average run timing (2003-2014) it is predicted that
approximately 100% of the run should now be past the KSEF.
2015 Weekly Update #12 - Kitwanga River Salmon Escapement (KSEF) to October 7th, 2015
To date we have counted 1,043 coho through the fence. This year’s coho escapement compares
to a previous maximum observed to the day of 9,028 in 2009, which resulted in an overall
escapement of 12,080 and the minimum observed to the day of 1,769 in 2008, which resulted in
an overall escapement of 2,882. Based on average run timing (2003-2014) it is predicted that
approximately 82.0% of the run should now be past the KSEF.
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Gitanyow Fisheries Authority
2015 Weekly Update #12 - Kitwanga River Salmon Escapement (KSEF) to October 7th, 2015
__________________________________________________________________________________
Gitanyow Fisheries Authority
2015 Weekly Update #12 - Kitwanga River Salmon Escapement (KSEF) to October 7th, 2015
__________________________________________________________________________________
Gitanyow Fisheries Authority
2015 Weekly Update #12 - Kitwanga River Salmon Escapement (KSEF) to October 7th, 2015
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Gitanyow Fisheries Authority