Salmon Die-off

[Wetlander]

Once again this year, we've a lot of dead salmon washing up along the beach in Harrison that don't look like they've spawned. I wonder if it is more of the same parasite that killed off a bunch of fish last year?

Photo from a couple of weeks ago, the seals, gulls and crows weren't the only ones taking advantage.

[Gord]

Kevin, would likely be the parasite behind it once again. A little alarming to see isnt it.

[Janne]

This is the information I received from DFO Community Adviser for the Eastern Fraser Valley in September concerning dying sockeye in Harriosn Lake:
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 10:09 AM
Subject: Dying Sockeye

Hi,
I spoke with people from DFO Stock Assessment and they advise me that they are aware of the die off and will be looking closer at it later this week.

Apparently the fish have arrived especially early this year (they don't spawn until early November) and pre-spawn mortality has been a nasty pattern for some Fraser River sockeye that has caused huge losses in some stocks in recent years, it varies significantly from year to year. The run also appears to be larger then expected, likely approaching 1 million fish. Pre-spawn mortality could range as high as 50%.

Unfortunately there is not much that can be done to remedy. The long wait in freshwater at high temperatures will contribute to the problem.

Feel free to share this note with others that are concerned and I will be happy to pass on any more observations / information you collect to the responsible staff.

Thanks.

Mark Johnson
Community Advisor
Eastern Fraser Valley
Cultus Lake Salmon Research Laboratory
4222 Columbia Valley Highway
Cultus Lake, BC V2R 5B6

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Cell: 604-837-3325

[kestrel]

Wonder what would cause the fish to enter the river prematurely .