Fishery Notice

With the commencement of the 2019/20 commercial groundfish seasons, the 
Groundfish Management Unit is reminding vessel masters and licence holders of 
the conditions of licence regarding seabird avoidance. 

Compliance with the avoidance of seabirds conditions of licence will be an 
enforcement priority for DFO Conservation & Protection. The Groundfish 
Management Unit supports enforcement action for all documented incidents of non-
compliance as appropriate. 
     

Avoidance of Seabirds:

The following definitions apply to this section:

"streamer line" ("tori line") means a line to which are attached brightly 
coloured streamers spaced 5 m apart.  The line shall have a buoy at the 
terminal end.  The streamers shall be of UV-protected plastic tubing, 3/8 inch 
polyester line or surveyor's tape, and shall extend to within 0.5 m of the 
water when the vessel is at setting speed. 

"towed buoy" means a buoy towed abaft of the stern of the vessel.

"overall length" means the length of the vessel as set out in this licence.

Conditions of Licence:
17(1) Subject to subsections 17(2) and 17(3), the vessel master fishing:

(a) vessels less than 9 m in overall length fishing in Areas 1 to 29, 101 to 
111, 121, 123 to 127, 130 and 142 shall deploy either a single streamer line or 
a towed buoy when setting longline gear;
(b) vessels 9 m to 16.8 m in overall length fishing in Areas 1 to 29, 101 to 
111, 121, 123 to 127, 130 and 142 shall deploy at least one streamer line and 
either a second streamer line or a towed buoy when setting longline gear; 
(c) vessels more than 16.8 m in overall length fishing in Areas 1 to 29, shall 
deploy at least one streamer line and either a second streamer line or a towed 
buoy when setting longline gear; and  
(d) vessels more than 16.8 m in overall length fishing in Areas 101 to 111, 
121, 123 to 127, 130 and 142 shall deploy paired streamer lines when setting 
longline gear.

(2) The vessel master of fishing vessels that have no masts, poles or rigging 
shall deploy at least one towed buoy when setting longline gear.

(3) The vessel master shall deploy gear described in subsection 17(1) at all 
times when setting longline gear except:
(a) during the period between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before 
sunrise; or 
(b) when the current wind speeds, at the nearest marine weather station, are 
reported as greater than 35 knots; and
(c) when current wind speeds, at the nearest marine weather station, are 
reported as between 25 and 35 knots the vessel master shall deploy only a 
single streamer line or for vessels less than 9 m, either a single streamer 
line or a single towed buoy.

(4) The vessel master shall ensure that streamer lines are deployed so that:
(a) the streamers are in the air at least 30 m beyond the point at which the 
groundline enters the water; and
(b) are towed as close to the groundline as is practical under the prevailing 
conditions of wind and sea.

(5) The vessel master shall ensure that towed buoys are deployed so that the 
buoy is towed further astern than the point at which the groundline enters the 
water.

(6) When setting longline gear, the vessel master shall:
(a) use baited hooks that sink to the bottom as soon as they are put in the 
water, e.g. use sinking groundlines, thawed bait, additional weight on the 
groundline;
(b) discharge old bait and offal so as not to attract seabirds to the longline 
gear; and
(c) use bait fish that do not retain air in their swim bladders or puncture the 
swim bladder.

(7) All birds caught shall be recorded by species in the Integrated Groundfish 
Fishing Log.

(8) Birds shall be released in the least harmful manner.



FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Shane Petersen
Halibut / Hook & Line Coordinator
Groundfish Management Unit
Phone: (604) 666-3279
Fax: (604) 666-8525

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0253
Sent March 21, 2019 at 0911

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