Research Document 1998/91

Rivers Inlet Sockeye Salmon: Stock Status Update

By D. Rutherford, C. Wood, and S. McKinnell

Abstract

Adult and juvenile data were used to provide an update on the stock status of Rivers Inlet (Owikeno Lake) sockeye salmon. The Rivers Inlet sockeye stock declined to record low levels in 1995 and 1996. Total sockeye returns increased in 1997 such that the minimum target escapement of 200,000 sockeye was exceeded, however the 1997 return was still below average. All available data indicate that the recent decline resulted from poor marine survival, not a failure in freshwater production. Analysis of juvenile data also suggests that the longer-term decline in total stock since the 1970's cannot be attributed to a decline in freshwater production either. The juvenile abundance indices for brood years 1991 and 1994 were above the long term mean suggesting that the freshwater production potential of Owikeno Lake had not declined from historic levels. Future returns to Rivers Inlet are expected to be low through 2001 as a result of very poor escapements in 1994 to 1996.

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