Fishery Notice

The Area G chinook fishery which opened at 00:01 hours September 15, 2015 will 
be extended until further notice.  Additional fishing areas will open effective 
00:01 hours September 17, 2015 as described below.  The retention of coho, both 
hatchery marked and wild, is permitted.  

Harvesters are reminded of the WCVI inshore commercial troll conservation 
boundary line implemented annually to protect returning WCVI chinook stocks. 

Effective 00:01 hours Thursday, September 17, 2015 the Area G troll fishery is 
open in those portions of Areas 123 to 127 seaward of a line commencing at a 
point located at, 50° 47.114' N, 128° 29.024' W (approximately 2.0 nautical 
miles west of Cape Scott) then continuing to,
50 43.895'N, 128 28.072'W then continuing to,
50 41.443'N, 128 25.906'W then continuing to,
50 38.787'N, 128 24.879'W then continuing to,
50 35.258'N, 128 20.671'W then continuing to, 
50 31.321'N, 128 15.760'W then continuing to, 
50 18.630'N, 128 01.400'W then continuing to,
50 05.739'N, 127 59.339'W then continuing to,
50 04.812'N, 127 57.981'W then continuing to,
50 02.763'N, 127 48.844'W then continuing to,
49 59.856'N, 127 48.844'W then continuing to,
50 00.322'N, 127 45.077'W then continuing to,
50 01.894'N, 127 42.323'W then continuing to,
49 56.536'N, 127 33.396'W then continuing to,
49 47.509'N, 127 13.664'W then continuing to,
49 41.352'N, 127 04.383'W then continuing to,
49 32.911'N, 126 54.415'W then continuing to,
49 29.735'N, 126 41.109'W then continuing to,
49 21.890'N, 126 40.163'W then continuing to,
49 20.255'N, 126 39.268'W then continuing to,
49 19.124'N, 126 37.537'W then continuing to,
49 18.191'N, 126 35.266'W then continuing to,
49 17.973'N, 126 25.470'W then continuing to,
49 19.019'N, 126 23.115'W then continuing to,
49 14.370'N, 126 20.321'W then continuing to,
49 07.223'N, 126 09.229'W then continuing to,
49 02.154'N, 125 58.760'W then continuing to,
49 00.206'N, 125 52.465'W then continuing to,
48 51.731'N, 125 37.827'W then continuing to,
48 43.094'N, 125 17.138'W then continuing to,
48 39.411'N, 125 10.580'W.

The target species is chinook, incidental catch of coho, chum and pink may be 
retained.  Sockeye and steelhead may not be retained. The minimum size limit 
for Chinook is 55 cm fork length (head on), and 44 cm (head off).

The target catch for September is 7,000 chinook. Catch for September 15 is 
estimated at 202 chinook. 

Variation Order No. 2015-G-TR-WCVI-010


Fishers are reminded that the dockside catch validation pilot program 
implemented in 2013 will continue in 2015 from April 19 until September 30.  
All fish caught under the authority of an Area G licence must be delivered to 
designated landing sites.  Please refer to your 2015-16 Area G Conditions of 
Licence for details.  This program will operate in conjunction with the JO 
Thomas Coded Wire Tag sampling program.  The ability to utilize the JO Thomas's 
CWT sampling crew to collect catch validation data create efficiencies which 
help minimize validation costs.

Harvesters are reminded that: 
Commercial trolling is not permitted in Rockfish Conservation Areas. These 
closures are listed at the website address 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/maps-cartes/rca-acs/index-eng.htm or can be 
accessed at DFO district offices.

Sampling for coded wire tags from landed Chinook is essential. In order to 
facilitate sampling, fishers are asked to call J.O. Thomas and Associates 24 
hours in advance toll-free at 1-866-638-6301 before they land their catch with 
the following information:

Landing location.
Estimated date and time of landing.
Processor/company.
Area(s) fished.
Number of Chinook on-board.

Note that calls to this number between Monday and Friday during office hours 
(08:00 to 16:00) will be answered in person. Calls made after office hours and 
on weekends will be directed to a voicemail box where this information can be 
left.

Freezer vessels are required to retain ALL heads from chinook and coho salmon 
caught and retained. These heads must be delivered at the time of off-loading 
of the salmon catch and be made available for examination by representatives of 
the Department. Contact J.O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. at 1-866-638-6301 
between 08:00 hours and 16:00 hours for instructions relating to these heads. 

Note: Chinook/Coho Head bags and labels will be provided at no cost by the 
Department, and can be picked up at the following DFO offices between 0800 
hours and 1600 hours:

Commissionaire, 2nd floor reception, 200 - 401 Burrard St, Vancouver
Front counter, 12551 No. 1 Rd., Steveston
Commissionaire, main entrance, 3190 Hammond Bay Rd., Nanaimo
Front counter, main entrance,150-1260 Shoppers Row, Campbell River
Front counter, main entrance,4706 Tebo Ave., Port Alberni
Front counter, main entrance, 8585 Wollason Rd., Port Hardy
Front counter, 417 2nd Ave W, Prince Rupert
Front counter, 137 Bay St, Queen Charlotte City; and
Front counter, 4250 Commerce Circle, Victoria.

Alternative arrangements for receiving or picking up packages can be arranged.  
Phone DFO toll-free at 1-866-483-9994 for more information.

As an alternative to retaining the whole head from retained chinook and coho, 
fishers can opt to keep the upper jaw and head, from the tip of the nose back 
to 1 cm behind the eye. These "snouts" must be cut from the top of the head, 
with the cut travelling one centimetre posterior (behind) the eye, to the back 
corner of the mouth. There is no need to retain the lower jaws or gill plates.

Environment Canada (EC) is monitoring seabird by-catch to determine potential 
impact on bird populations under current fishing effort and bird numbers. 
Fishers are requested to submit all dead birds entangled in nets to EC for 
species confirmation and DNA analysis to determine the colony of origin. Please 
call your local charter patrol to organize pick-up, drop carcasses off at a 
local DFO office, or contact EC directly by calling the EC Reporting Line 1-866-
431-2473 (BIRD). Label birds with date, time, location and vessel name (Skipper 
name isn't needed). Handle birds with gloves, double bag dead birds, store on 
ice. Questions: contact Laurie Wilson (laurie.wilson@ec.gc.ca, 604-862-8817). 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is interested in reports of sea turtles in BC 
waters. By documenting sightings we are able to learn more about how, when, and 
where these turtles are using our waters. If you see a sea turtle, please call 
this toll-free phone number: 1-866-I SAW ONE (1-866-472-9663), e-mail 
sightings@vanaqua.org or online reporting at www.wildwhales.org. Please include 
information such as the type of sea turtle seen (e.g. leatherback), the 
location, and time of sighting. 


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Bryan Rusch 250-756-7294

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1037
Sent September 16, 2015 at 1352

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