The Tsilhqot’in National Government’s Emergency Salmon Task Force released their latest situation report on the situation with the fish in the Chilcotin River.
In it they said sonar observations and helicopter overflights conducted over the past 72 hours indicate limited movement of sockeye into the river and past the slide.
The sonar counted 26 sockeye sized targets past Hanceville between August 25 and 26 and the overflight conducted August 26 observed small groups of fish holding in shallow margins downstream of the slide.
While these initial numbers are very low, the Task Force says it does indicate that natural passage is possible under these very difficult conditions.
The majority of the Chilko sockeye run is thought to be still downstream of the slide holding in the mid-Fraser waiting for appropriate conditions to be able to pass.
The Task Force said Chilko sockeye can withstand substantial delay noting in 2019 they were delayed by 2 to 3 weeks due to the Big Bar landslide and were still able to return to spawning grounds.
While the “front” of the Chilko sockeye run has been highly exposed to slide impacts and high water temperatures in the Fraser, the Task Force reported the later “Tail” end of the run is expected to be less impacted and in healthier condition.
They added that there have been recent observations of much healthier sockeye in the mid River compared to previous weeks, another positive sign that Chilko salmon may be able to pass successfully as environmental conditions change.
Overall the Task Force said there is reason to be optimistic that Chilko sockeye passage past the slide area will improve in the coming days.
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