Fishery Notice

WCVI

The most recent herring spawn flight was conducted on March 20, covering Area 
23 - 25. In Area 23, No spawn observed.  Spawn observed in Area 24 in Hesquiaht 
Harbour.  In Area 25, no spawn observed.

The next possible overflight is today March 22, weather permitting. 

One assessment Dive team is currently in Area 25 and the other is travelling to 
Area 27 this weekend. 

First Nation contractors continue to conduct herring spawn reconnaissance, 
supplemental surface spawn surveys and FSC catch monitoring on the west coast 
of Vancouver Island in:

"	Area 23 
"	Area 24
"	Area 25 

The test boat has completed its duties for this year.

Test samples by area:

Area 23 - 5 samples
Area 24- 3 samples
Area 25 - 7 samples


Area 23 Barkley Sound

6500 tonnes 

March 21: Spawn reported by the local First Nations Charter reports a spawn in 
front of Macoah Passage.  Area will be checked by the First Nation vessel and 
the spawn flight scheduled for today. 


Area 24 Clayoquot Sound

1500 tonnes

March 20: The local First Nation Charter reports 500 tonne school entering 
Hesquiaht Harbour

March 21: Spawn at Rondeault Point in Hesquiaht Harbour on western shore near 
inner Basin.  First Nation Charter currently surveying area. 

Area 25 Nootka Sound

11,000 tonnes

March 22: Dive vessel Pachena observed 3000 tonne of herring near Friendly Cove 
Yuquot area.  Assessment is dive continuing near Strange and Saavedra Islands. 


Area 25 Esperanza Inlet

2600 tonnes

March 21 Reports of large amounts of herring roe washed ashore at Skuna bay.  
Dive vessel Pachena assessed area but no spawn observed.


Area 27 Quatsino Sound

Spawn has been reported by local caretaker in area.  


Total WCVI: 21,600 tonnes

Please note: 

The primary objective of the herring test seine vessel program is to collect 
herring biological samples from Areas 23-25 for stock assessment purposes (e.g. 
size of fish, age distribution of fish in each sample).  Herring stock 
locations and estimates are collected as part of the stock assessment program 
to locate herring stocks in as part of the sampling process to collect the 
biological samples, and do not cover all areas.  The tonnage of stocks for each 
area provided in this notice are in season estimates only, and do not reflect 
the biomass of stocks in the area.  The estimates of stock biomass will be 
provided in the analysis which will be undertaken in the post season period, 
following the collection of biological samples as well as herring spawn 
distribution and abundance data. 

The vessel selected to collect biological samples for herring stock assessment 
in 2019 is the F/V Proud Canadian with skipper Philip Dupuis.  The test vessel 
operated on WCVI for 20 days in 2019.  No fish were retained for sale.	

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Mike Spence DFO Port Alberni 250 720 4448

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0264
Sent March 22, 2019 at 1155

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 30, 2026 at 2104