First Nations fishers hit the water as Fraser River sockeye return in big numbers

The number of sockeye salmon returning to the Fraser River this summer has far exceeded estimates.

Sockeye salmon have sustained Indigenous people in British Columbia for thousands of years, but in recent decades, the abundance has not been what it once was.

“I would have 20 cases of sockeye for the winter. I would have 40 or 50 sockeye in the deep freeze,” said Bob Chamberlin, chair of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance.

“Now, I’m lucky if I make a case of fish last two years because it’s so rare to get.”

This year is shaping up to be the best in recent memory.

So far, close to 750,000 Early Stuart sockeye have made their way past the Fraser River counting station at Mission.

Those fish will travel 1,200 kilometres inland to their spawning grounds near Fort St James.

The early numbers are more than ten times the 70,000 Early Stuart fish originally expected.

In light of the stronger than anticipated return, some B.C. First Nations have the green light to harvest sockeye for food, social and cultural purposes.

The fish will be distributed to their members who will smoke or can most of it.

“For nations across the province to have that kind of food source is incredible. Now the fun part is when the whole family gets together, strengthens the family ties, and works collectively on fish,” Chamberlin said.

“Its great. It’s a lot of work but it’s fun and it strengthens our communities and our nations.”

Commercial operators would also like a chance to catch Fraser River sockeye for the first time in six years.

“We’ve had record test fishing for July, since records were kept on test fishing,” said Paul Kershaw, a commercial fisherman.

According to Kershaw, who represents other commercial operators in meetings with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Pacific Salmon Commission, the latest estimates put the total Fraser River sockeye return at close to six million.

He expects that estimate to increase even further in the coming days, but he doesn’t think commercial fishers will be allowed to land any sockeye this summer.

“Well, unfortunately, they’re still operating under a low-run scenario that they modeled in the wintertime,” he said of the DFO and the PSC, which is made up of commissioners from Canada and the United States.

Conservationists are also watching this year’s return closely.

According to Greg Taylor, an advisor with Watershed Watch Salmon Society, sockeye returning to the Fraser River this year face an uncertain future.

He told CTV News low water levels and high water temperatures could lead to increased mortality.

“There’s estimates now this year, that somewhere between 30 and 50 per cent of returning fish could die enroute to their spawning grounds,” Taylor said.

Along with the unexpected numbers, those are also factors the DFO and PSC will have to consider before deciding whether to allow the commercial fleet onto the water.