DFO predicts 6.8 million sockeye in 2015

According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans their median projection for this year’s sockeye run is 6.8 million.

Lower Fraser area director Jennifer Nener says the DFO measures four different timing groups: early Stuart, early summer, summer, and late summer.

“I would say at this point the early Stuarts are looking quite low, the early summers are looking a little stronger. The real strength of the run will likely be in the summer component, which will be roughly mid August in terms of timing.”

Nener says that summer group will tell the tale about what kind of fishing opportunities will be available.

She says when deciding about fishing opportunities, conservation is the first priority, followed by First Nations fishing.