Fishery Notice

The Area 23 gill net fishery opens for 6 hours from 12:00 hours to 18:00 hours 
Tuesday, July 4, 2017 in the following areas:

A portion of Subarea 23-1 south of a line drawn from the light at Polly Point 
to Stamp Point on the opposite shore; and Subarea 23-2.

Minimum mesh 100 mm, maximum depth 90 meshes, maximum hang ratio 3:1, and 
corkline to web distance minimum 0 cm, maximum 2 m. Incidental catch of chinook 
may be retained. Coho and steelhead may not be retained.  Six strand Alaska-
twist web, conventional multi-strand web or a combination of the two may be 
used.  

Variation Order No. 17-Sal-23-GN-01


On June 29, 2017 Department staff met with the Area 23 Harvest Committee to 
discuss fishery planning for Area 23 Somass sockeye. The attendees at this 
meeting were representatives from the Tseshaht, Hupacasath and Maa-nulth First 
Nations and stakeholders from the commercial gill net and seine fishery, and 
the Alberni Valley Sport Fishing Advisory Committee.
  
The pre-season forecast for Somass sockeye was 172,000.  A run reforecast was 
not provided today due to a high level of uncertainty around run timing and an 
unexpectedly low proportion of age 4 fish that usually provide a significant 
contribution to the later part of the run.  As a result, fisheries are being 
planned conservatively based on a total estimated run to date of 210,000 and a 
16% harvest rate.   

The weekly TAC for this opening is 3,800 pieces and extensions are possible, 
depending on catch rates and fleet size.  

The Somass sockeye in-season stock assessment program will be in place in 2017. 
This program collects escapement, test fishing, catch and environmental 
information on a weekly basis.  This information is collected and a reforecast 
will be made weekly every Thursday for the duration of the season.  This may 
lead to further commercial sockeye opportunities if conditions warrant.

A run-size update will be provided at the next Area 23 Harvest Committee 
meeting on July 6. Test-set information will be available on the internet at: 
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/salmon/testfish/sockeye/Area23_seine.htm

Please note the following Area 23 specific licence condition change from 2016 
that is being continued for 2017: In order to avoid collisions with gill nets 
by transiting vessels, four (4) additional buoys (floats) that are white or 
yellow in colour and at least 60 cm in circumference must be attached to the 
gill net equidistantly between the buoy(s) marking either end of the gill net. 
Please refer to your 2017/2018 Conditions of Licence for complete requirements. 

Fishery Notice 0558 outlines activity and catch reporting changes for Area D 
licences conditions in 2017-18. 

Please note that all salmon gill net fisheries have requirements for recording 
and reporting. See FN0558 and FN0580 outlining these changes for Area D 
fishers. Refer to your 2016/2017 Area D conditions of licence for complete 
changes.

Please note changes to transporting of salmon.  Please see FN0157 and Part III 
of your conditions of licence for additional details.  Instructions for the 
Salmon Transfer Log, and the Salmon Transfer Log may be found on our web page 
in section 'Additional Licensing Services Forms' at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/licence-commercial-eng.html.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 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 ECCC 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 ECCC directly by calling the Wild Bird 
Mortality Reporting Line 1-866-431-2473 (BIRD). Handle birds with gloves, 
double bag dead birds. Label bag with date, time, location, fishery opening and 
vessel name (Skipper name isn't needed). Alternatively, please send photographs 
of birds with a reference object such as a coin, and the date, time, location, 
fishery opening and vessel name to laurie.wilson@canada.ca. Questions: contact 
Laurie Wilson (laurie.wilson@canada.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).  Please 
include information such as the type of sea turtle seen (i.e. leatherback), the 
location, and time of sighting. 
          
Fishers should be advised that whales can be encountered in the fishing area. 
Fishers should take precautionary measures to avoid fishing near whales to 
avoid potential contact with fishing gear. If a whale becomes entangled in 
fishing gear, fishers should immediately call the Observe, Record, Report (ORR) 
line at 1-800-465-4336. Fishers are advised not to attempt to free the whale of 
the fishing gear as this can pose a serious threat to the safety of the fisher 
and the animal. 

Fishers are advised to notify local DFO managers or patrol vessels to report 
abandoned, lost, or entangled gear. A local diver has volunteered to remove the 
nets at no charge.

The 24 hour toll-free phone-in line for fishery notices is 1-866-431-3474.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Peter Hall - 250-720-4440

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0604
Sent June 30, 2017 at 1119

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