Fishery Notice

Effective daily from 05:00 hours to 22:00 hours from July 8, 2017 until further 
notice the daily limit of sockeye salmon is one (1) per day in that portion of 
the Somass River located approximately 200 meters above and 150 metres below 
the island near the boat launch at Somass Park near Service Road.

Anglers are reminded that Paper Mill Dam Pool is closed to all angling.  This 
area includes that portion of the Somass River from signs located near the 
bottom of the rapids immediately north of Papermill Dam Pool, then downstream 
to boundary signs located on both sides of the Somass River approximately 60 
metres downstream from the northern tip of the unnamed island directly below 
Paper Mill Dam Pool.

Variation Order # 2017-348 and 2017-349


On July 6, 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 commercial and recreational fishery committees.  
  
The pre-season forecast for Somass sockeye was 172,000.  A run reforecast was 
provided today of 300,000.  There continues to be considerable uncertainty 
around run timing as well as a very low proportion of age 4 fish that usually 
provide a significant contribution to the later part of the run.  As a result, 
a continued precautionary approach is being taken.

At the meeting, the Area 23 Harvest Committee recommended opening a portion of 
the Somass River non-tidal recreational sockeye fishery. 

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 recreational sockeye opportunities if conditions warrant.

Fishers are reminded that the Uchuklesit Inlet finfish closure as described in 
FN578 is in effect. 


Notes:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal waters of British 
Columbia.  

The term "marked" means a hatchery fish that has a healed scar in place of the 
adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery 
program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and 
coho salmon.  Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for 
coast-wide stock assessment.  Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program 
toll free at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures 
and other recreational fishing information.

Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licences can be purchased via any computer connected 
to the internet at 
https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm 
or by using Google search key words "Recfish Licence".

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation?  If so, please call 
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line 
at (800) 465-4336.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 
1-(866)431-FISH(3474).


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
 
Contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Port Alberni office at 250-720-4440 or 
visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0634
Sent July 7, 2017 at 1612

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 7, 2024 at 0239