Kahtou 0004
August 2000

VANCOUVER (CKNW/AM980) -- The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans is hoping the success of this year's aboriginal fishery in B.C. will ensure a quiet summer on the Fraser River.

The DFO's Fraser River manager, Paul Ryall, says aboriginal fishermen have taken in more fish to date this year than they did all of last year. Ryall says the total catch for First Nations in the Fraser River is about 275,000 so far, with another month of fishing expected.

The overall run projections still haven't been confirmed, but as many as 900,000 early spring and summer salmon could make their way up the Fraser this year. Last year, several native groups protested after the DFO closed most of the Fraser fishery because of lower-than-expected returns.