Fishery Notice

In 2017, the Area-D Gill Net Harvest Committee submitted a proposal through the 
Commercial Salmon Allocation Framework (CSAF) process and has been working with 
the Department to design a limited entry gill net assessment fishery for Area 
14 terminal chum fisheries.  This proposal was to design a limited entry 
fishery that can evaluate the utility of early-fishery catch per unit effort 
(CPUE) in predicting the terminal run size for the aggregate of the Mid-
Vancouver Island (MVI) systems in Area 14.  The objectives of this weekly small 
fleet fishery would be to:
- Determine in season stock strength of aggregate Mid Vancouver Island chum.
- Develop a catch-by-set-by-location database to further develop assessment 
capabilities.
- Sample the catch for stock identification and other biological parameters.
- Evaluate bycatch interceptions.

The demonstration fishery will be limited to the following 10 vessels 
1. Miss Katrina - 29055
2. Madame R - 26631
3. Lisa Joy C- 29907
4. Wait'N Sea I - 28841
5. Gunsmoke - 312255
6. Bearcat - 26091
7. Corban - 26282
8. Star Queen - 30689
9. Prancer - 23992
10. Miss Meg - 29727

Fishers participating in the fishery are required to: 
1. Participate in both of the two openings, with the first opening scheduled to 
be October 13 to 15, 2017 and the second opening scheduled to be October 20 to 
22, 2017;  
2. Communicate to the Department catch-by-set-by-location information, 
including by-catch interceptions; and  
3. Provide advanced notice of offload time and location to allow for collection 
of samples for stock identification and other biological parameters. 

The demonstration fishery for gill nets will open for 50 hours from 08:00 hours 
Friday, October 20 to 10:00 hours Sunday, October 22, 2017 in the following 
areas:

Subareas 14-4 and 14-5 seaward of 1.5 nautical miles from the Vancouver Island 
shore; 

Subareas 14-7, 14-9, 14-10; and

That portion of Subarea 14-11 outside the Comox Bar, northeasterly of a line 
from Longbeak Point on Denman Island, to a fishing boundary sign on Willemar 
Bluffs. 

There is a half-mile radius boundary in effect at the mouth of Fillongley Creek 
in Subarea 14-10.

Future commercial opportunities may be considered depending on catch rates from 
these assessment fisheries coupled with in-season escapement information.

The minimum mesh size is 149 mm (5 and 7/8 in).  The maximum net depth is 90 
meshes.  The maximum hang ratio 3:1.  Corkline to web distance minimum 0 cm 
maximum 2 m.

The target species in this fishery is chum salmon, the incidental catch of pink 
salmon may be retained in the areas open to fishing. There will be non-
retention of sockeye, coho, chinook, and steelhead.

Variation Order 2017-SAL-14-GN-02


All planned fisheries are subject to change with updated in-season assessment 
information and weather constraints.  Harvesters should contact their Area 
Harvest Committee representatives for updated information. 

PLEASE NOTE:

Fishers that encounter Atlantic Salmon are encouraged to contact the Atlantic 
Salmon Watch Program at Toll free: 1-800-811-6010 or by Email: aswp@dfo-
mpo.gc.ca Further information on the Atlantic Salmon Watch Program can be found 
at: http://www.pac.dfompo.gc.ca/science/aquaculture/aswp/index-eng.html  

Fishers are reminded that Catch Reports are due not later than 12 hours 
following the completion of a fishery opening. End Fishing Reports are due 
within 24 hours following the end of a fishing trip. Fisher that fail to fulfil 
their fishing reporting requirements by the set time requirements are in non-
compliance and can expect to be charged with a violation. 

Please note that all Salmon gill net fisheries have new requirements for 
recording and reporting catch. See 2017 Fishery Notice FN0558 which highlights 
some of these changes and requirements for Area D gill net fisheries. 

Fishers must be aware of the requirements set forth in the Conditions of 2017-
18 Salmon Area D Licence. It is the responsibility of the licence holder and 
vessel master to review their current Conditions of Licence and to be aware of 
all the requirements that are set forth. This includes both the mandatory use 
of operational revival boxes and submitting Fishing Activity Reports (Start, 
End, Pause, Cancel Trip, and Daily Catch Reports)

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 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).

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.

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Christine Bukta, Resource Manager, Campbell River (250)286-5888

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1087
Sent October 17, 2017 at 1143

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