After three disastrous years, initial signs are pointing to a strong return of the iconic sockeye salmon to the Fraser River this summer.

According to Barry Rosenberger, an area director for Fisheries and Oceans Canada and vice chair of the joint U.S.–Canada Fraser River Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission, the first run of the season, called the early Stuart, exceeded expectations. He told the Straight that the next early summer run, estimated at 950,000 fish, is getting close to its peak, and looking “larger than the preseason forecast”.

The bulk of the returning salmon are forecast to come in two more runs. The mid-point projection for the last one, which is the late run, is at least eight million fish.

According to Rosenberger, fish from these two runs are starting to show up in approach areas. “So far, the indications are better than preseason forecasts,” Rosenberger said by phone.

A regulatory announcement issued by the panel on August 3 stated that size assessments for summer- and late-run sockeye will be available in the middle of this month.

It pointed to the danger posed to migrating fish by warm temperatures in the river. Between Friday and Wednesday (August 6 and 11), temperatures are expected to range between 18 ° C and 20 ° C at Qualark Creek, a tributary that joins the Fraser south of Yale, near Hope. These temperatures “may cause en route mortality of some of these fish”, according to the announcement.

A federal commission investigating the collapse of the Fraser River sockeye fishery will begin holding public forums this month.