A month after dismal predictions for Fraser River sockeye salmon returns, there’s hope commercial fishermen will be allowed to drop their nets this summer.
The average return is about four million.
In July, the Fraser River panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission estimated half that number could come back this season.
Even though this is one of the smallest cycles since records started being kept in 1956, Barry Rosenberger with Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the first portions of the run have returned better than expected.
“We’re at about 2.4 million fish. Fishing opportunities are going to be quite restricted, but it is coming in slightly better than sort of the midpoint of the forecast.”
Rosenberger says there’s still a fair degree of uncertainty, but if numbers keep improving, some commercial and recreational fishing may be allowed.
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