JOINT NORTHERN BOUNDARY TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Joint Northern Boundary Technical Committee. U.S./Canada Northern Boundary Area 1991 Salmon Fisheries Management Report and 1992 Preliminary Expectations. TCNB (91)-2. November, 1991.

This report reviews: 1) catch, effort, and management actions in the 1991 Northern Boundary Area pink, chum and sockeye salmon fisheries of southern Southeast Alaska Districts 101 to 106 and northern British Columbia Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5; 2) management performance relative to Treaty requirements; 3) historical catches and escapements; and 4) preliminary 1992 expectations and fishing plans.

Returns of pink, sockeye, and coho salmon were generally strong in the Northern Boundary Area in 1991. The catch of 43.4 million pink salmon in southern Southeast Alaska was the third highest since Statehood (1959). A record 9.3 million pink salmon were harvested in Canadian Area 3 and the 2.3 million pink salmon harvested in Area 4 was the largest since 1957. Escapement goals for pink salmon were met or exceeded in most areas. In southern Southeast Alaska catches of sockeye, coho, and chum salmon were about twice the 1960 to 1990 average. In northern British Columbia the catch of sockeye was above the 1973 to 1990 average in all areas, coho catches were about average, and chum catches were below average. Escapement goals were met for sockeye salmon in the Nass and Skeena Rivers. Escapements of summer chum salmon were poor on both sides of the border.

The Pacific Salmon Treaty limits the Alaska District 104 (Noyes Island) purse seine fishery to a four-year total catch (1990 to 1993) of 480,000 sockeye salmon prior to Statistical Week 31. Under terms of the agreement, when the annual catch reaches 160,000 sockeye salmon, no further daily fishing periods are allowed prior to week 31. The 1991 sockeye salmon harvest in District 104 prior to week 31 was 98,583 fish. Combined with last years 169,943, a total of 268,526 sockeye salmon have been caught. This leaves 211,474 to catch over the next two years to stay within the 480,000 pre-Week 31 sockeye limit for 1990 to 1993.

In the Alaska District 101-11 (Tree Point) drift gillnet fishery, the catch of sockeye salmon since 1985 has been limited to an annual average of 130,000 by the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Catch of sockeye salmon in 1991 was 131,487 bringing the 1985 to 1991 average to 129,154.

Under the Pacific Salmon Treaty the outside portions of Canadian Statistical Areas 3 and 5 are to be managed such that an average annual pink harvest of 900,000 fish is achieved. In 1991, 5,724,069 pink salmon were harvested in Management Units 3 (1-4) and 5-11 combined. The current average annual pink harvest from 1985 to 1991 in the Treaty area is 2,046,023.

The Area 1 pink troll fishery is managed to an annual ceiling of 1.95 million pink salmon with a cumulative ceiling of 5.125 million pink salmon for the period 1990 to 1993. In addition, the area adjacent to the Canada-U.S. border in the northern portion of Area 1 (A-B line area) closes to pink retention if the pink catch reaches 300,000 in this area, or by July 22, should this sub-ceiling not be met. The pink catch in the A-B line area reached only 71,620 and closed to pink retention July 22. The catch in this area was estimated to be 71,620 pink salmon. Preliminary sales slips indicate a total Area 1 troll catch of 1.59 million pink salmon.

Moderate returns are forecast for Northern Boundary Area pink salmon in 1992. Alaska Department of Fish and Game's preliminary forecast for pink salmon returning in 1992 is approximately 45 to 50 million which would allow a catch of about 25 million. A harvest of 25 million pink salmon would be about 1.5 times the 1960 to 1991 average but considerably less than the 43 million pink salmon harvested in 1991.

A surplus of 1,000,000 pink salmon is expected to the Masset Inlet area of the Queen Charlotte Islands. A below average sockeye and pink fishery are anticipated in Area 3 in 1991. The Skeena sockeye return is forecast to provide an Area 4 commercial net catch of 1,000,000. The Skeena pink return is forecast to provide an Area 4 catch of 950,000.