Recreational Fisheries
Fraser River Sockeye Tagging

The Pacific Salmon Commission, in conjunction with universities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and LGL, is conducting two coordinated tagging studies on migrating Fraser River sockeye from July-November 2006. The objectives of these studies are: 1) to determine the causes of the early upstream migration of late-run Fraser River sockeye; and 2) to investigate the sources of error and causes of differences between lower-river and upper-river spawning escapement estimates for all run-timing groups of Fraser sockeye.

Approximately 700 radio transmitters and 450 acoustic transmitters will be applied to sockeye in marine areas to assess the migration behaviour and survival of Late-run sockeye stocks; and 400 additional radio transmitters will be applied in the Lower Fraser River to assess losses between Mission and the spawning grounds for other run timing groups. Most radio or acoustic transmitters will be inserted into the stomach of each fish; a small number will be inserted into the abdominal cavity. Study fish will be evident by a punched adipose fin, and, a blue external tag near the dorsal fin. Radio transmitter fish will also have a thin wire antenna protruding from the mouth. Each transmitter can record minute to minute data on the water temperatures encountered by each tagged fish. These fish will be tracked as they enter the Fraser River and throughout the watershed as they migrate toward their spawning grounds. Detailed temperature data will be obtained from each transmitter recovered from fisheries or spawning areas.

If you catch a tagged or adipose-punched sockeye in an open fishery and choose to keep it, please remove the external tag and internal transmitter and contact LGL at once at the phone number listed below. Individuals returning transmitters to LGL along with information on time and place of capture will be sent the complete tracking history of the fish and their name will be entered into a $1000 lottery once for each transmitter returned.

The information obtained through your cooperation in returning these tags will directly contribute to improved management and conservation of Fraser River sockeye. Thank you for your interest and cooperation!

If you catch a tagged fish or you have any questions related to this study, please call the following phone number:

Toll free in Canada or US: 1-866-221-3444

For further information on Late-run sockeye abnormal behaviour, please check the Pacific Salmon Commission's web site at: www.psc.org/info_laterunsockeye.htm