Fraser sockeye count climbs to 30 million

The Fraser River is being overrun by sockeye salmon.

Sockeye Salmon (freshwater coloration)

Officials from the fishery are now estimating that the number of sockeye returning has climbed to roughly 30 million, which is a 5 million increase from their previous count of 25 million earlier this week.

This is the highest number of returning salmon recorded since 1913, when around 39 million sockeye made their way back to the Fraser River, just before a rock slide into the river gave birth to Hells Gate and caused a huge disruption in the stocks of salmon for decades.

The run this year is looking to be almost three times higher than the 11 million originally estimated before the season started.

The late run this year is projected to be large as well, due to the fact that it will include the peak cycle Adam River run.

However, this run has really turned a lot of heads, as the Pacific Salmon Commission this past Friday has raised its estimate of late run sockeye to an astounding 21.4 million, which is a far cry from their 8.5 million prediction prior to the start of the season.

Up till now, more than 6.4 million salmon have swum their way upriver, avoiding the gilnetters on the lower Fraiser, as compared to the 5.7 million which were estimated as having being caught.

And there doesn’t seem to be any sign of a shortage.

It’s good to see mother nature replenishing her stocks, after such a long “dry spell”. Hopefully this is just a taste, and the salmon runs will continue to be as plentiful in the years to come.