Fishery Notice

AREA G WCVI CHINOOK FISHERY OPENING 

The Area G troll plug fishery will open at 00:01 hours September 7, 2017 in 
portions of Areas 124 to 127 described below. The fishery will remain open 
until the preliminary catch target for September of 4,800 chinook has been 
achieved.  Catch updates will be provided as available and the fishery may 
close on short notice if required.  Harvesters are reminded of the WCVI inshore 
commercial troll conservation boundary line implemented annually to protect 
returning WCVI chinook stocks. 

The Area G troll fishery opens effective 00:01 hours, September 7, 2017 until 
further notice in those portions of areas 124 to 127 seaward of a line 
commencing at a point located at, 50° 47.114' north, 128° 29.024' west 
(approximately 2.0 nautical miles west of Cape Scott) then continuing to,
50 degrees 43.895'north, 128 degrees 28.072'west then continuing to,
50 degrees 41.443'north, 128 degrees 25.906'west then continuing to,
50 degrees 38.787'north, 128 degrees 24.879'west then continuing to,
50 degrees 35.258'north, 128 degrees 20.671'west then continuing to, 
50 degrees 31.321'north, 128 degrees 15.760'west then continuing to, 
50 degrees 18.630'north, 128 degrees 01.400'west then continuing to,
50 degrees 05.739'north, 127 degrees 59.339'west then continuing to,
50 degrees 04.812'north, 127 degrees 57.981'west then continuing to,
50 degrees 02.763'north, 127 degrees 48.844'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 59.856'north, 127 degrees 48.844'west then continuing to,
50 degrees 00.322'north, 127 degrees 45.077'west then continuing to,
50 degrees 01.894'north, 127 degrees 42.323'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 56.536'north, 127 degrees 33.396'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 47.509'north, 127 degrees 13.664'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 41.352'north, 127 degrees 04.383'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 32.911'north, 126 degrees 54.415'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 29.735'north, 126 degrees 41.109'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 21.890'north, 126 degrees 40.163'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 20.255'north, 126 degrees 39.268'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 19.124'north, 126 degrees 37.537'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 18.191'north, 126 degrees 35.266'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 17.973'north, 126 degrees 25.470'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 19.019'north, 126 degrees 23.115'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 14.370'north, 126 degrees 20.321'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 07.223'north, 126 degrees 09.229'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 02.154'north, 125 degrees 58.760'west then continuing to,
49 degrees 00.206'north, 125 degrees 52.465'west then continuing to,
48 degrees 51.731'north, 125 degrees 37.827'west then continuing to,
48 degrees 43.094'north, 125 degrees 17.138'west then continuing to,
48 degrees 39.411'north, 125 degrees 10.580'west.

Harvesters are reminded that this fishery is a plug fishery only with the 
following troll gear restrictions: plugs equipped with one single, barbless 
hook.  The plug size shall be no smaller than 6 inches (15.2 cm) as measured 
from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail of the plug (excluding the 
hook).  The restriction to plug gear will remain in effect until 00:01 hours 
September 15 as described in the 2017/2018 Conditions of Licence.

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

Variation Order No. 2017-G-TR-WCVI-008


Fishers are reminded that the dockside catch validation pilot program 
implemented in the past three seasons will continue in 2017 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 2017-18 Area G 
Conditions of Licence for details.  This program will operate in conjunction 
with the Coded Wire Tag sampling program and will be conducted by J.O. Thomas 
and Associates.  The ability to utilize the J.O. 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 hours to 16:00 hours) 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 08:00 
hoursand 16:00 hours:

Mail Room, 2nd floor reception, 200 - 401 Burrard St, Vancouver
Front counter, main entrance, 315 - 940 Alder St. Campbell River
Commissionaire, main entrance, 3190 Hammond Bay Rd., Nanaimo
Front counter, main entrance, 4706 Tebo Ave., Port Alberni
Front counter, main entrance, 8585 Wollason Rd, Port Hardy
Front counter, 417 2nd Ave West, Prince Rupert
Front counter, 137 Bay St, Queen Charlotte City 
Front counter, 12551 No. 1 Road, Richmond
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 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 is notrequired). 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.


FOR MORE INFORMATION 
Bryan Rusch 250-756-7294

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0887
Sent August 31, 2017 at 1011

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