Fishery Notice

This notice amends FN0706 to correct the Variation Order numbers. 

The full amended notice is as follows:

Effective 00:01 hours July 31 until 23:59 hours September 30, 2017 the tidal 
portion of the Somass River is closed to fishing for all fin fish in the 
following area:  

- that portion of Subarea 23-1 from the tidal boundary signs at Paper Mill Dam 
on the Somass River downstream to a line located at a boundary sign in upper 
Alberni Harbour situated at 49 degrees 14.190 north latitude and 124 degrees 
50.230 west longitude then through the southern most point of Hoik Island then 
to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River then due east to a 
boundary sign on the opposite shore except for:

Paper Mill Dam Pool is currently 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 # 2017-369 and 2017-370


On July 20, 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.  
  
At the meeting, the Area 23 Harvest Committee recommended extending the open 
time in the tidal portion of the Somass River to July 30 this year instead of 
the usual closure date of July 24, 2017.

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 - FN0713
Sent July 26, 2017 at 1607

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 4, 2024 at 0908