Fishery Notice

North Coast Herring Update
Area 4 - Big Bay

March 22, 2019: 
Approximately 9.4 nm of active spawn observed total to date covering Pearl 
Island groups (Bellitti Pt to Shattock Pt; Simpson Pt to Swamp Island).  Drone 
flight conducted again today.  The spawn have advanced into Big Bay from 
Simpson Pt, west along the shore to Tree Bluff.  Active spawn observed from 
Tree Bluff south to Swamp Island.  Heavy bird activity suggests schools of fish 
are holding offshore.  

It appears that strong, gale force winds overnight have slowed down spawning; 
however, heavy bird activity is observed along the shallows stretching from 
Swamp Island to Tree Bluff.  Spawning intensity is expected to increase as the 
wind dissipates throughout the day.

March 23:
All spawning has ceased around the Pearl Harbour Island chain and from Bellitti 
Pt to Shattock Pt.  Over the course of the day spawning has not increased as 
expected from Simpson Pt to Slippery Rock.

March 24:
The drone flight recorded a few spot spawns from Slippery Rock south to Ryan 
Pt.  Spawning has ceased from Simpson Pt to Slippery Rock.  The overall 
impression to date is the herring spawn is below average for 2019.

Observations:
Inskip: March 24, NFF.
Stumaun Bay: March 23, NFF.
Parkins Island: March 24, NFF.
West of Swamp Island: March 23, numerous small to medium schools holding 
offshore.
West of Tree Bluff/Red Canbouy: March 16, estimated 750 t. 
West of Tree Bluff: March 20, estimated 5000 t.
West of Tree Bluff: March 21, small school estimated 100 t.
Tugwell Island: March 17, broken scratches.
Trenham Pt./Hogan's Ledge: March 16, 1500 t 40-50 fm.
West of Hogan's Ledge: March 19, estimated 6500 t.
West of Hogan's Ledge: March 20, estimated 500 t.
West of Trenham Pt./South Passage: March 17, broken schools estimated 1500 t 40 
to 50 fm. 
Slippery Rock (along 60 fm edge): March 16, NFF.
Big Bay west of South Passage: March 16, estimated 1000 t.
Big Bay Proper: March 18, birds working surface scratches. 
Big Bay Proper: March 19, several small schools moving south toward Big Bay 
from Pearl Harbour.
Cunningham Pass: March 23, small, scattered broken schools (possibly spawned 
out fish from Pearl Harbour).
Cunningham Pass: March 24, 150 t.
Rushbrook Passage: March 24, NFF.
East of Gordon Pt./North End of Finlayson Island: March 21, small surface 
schools.
Northeastern shore of Finlayson: March 21, broken schools.
Fortune Pt. (southend of Finlayson Island): March 20, bird activity observed, 
possible spawning.
Sparrowhawk Rock: March 18, estimated 75 t.
Sparrowhawk Rock: March 24, estimated 400 t.
Harbour Reefs west of Lax Kw'alaams: March 17, estimated 600 t.
South of Flat Top Island: March 19, estimated 150 t.
Between Flat Top and Mist Island: March 20, scratches.
Pearl Harbour: March 22, small broken scratches throughout the bay that are 
most likely spawned out fish from Burnt Cliff and Mist Island.
Pearl Harbour: March 24, Three schools for an estimated 150 t.
Between Flewin Pt. and north end of Bernie Island/Haida Bay: March 19, 
estimated 1200 t.
Haida Bay: March 24, NFF.
Bernie Island: March 24, NFF.
Grassy Pt: March 21, NFF.
Otter Anchorage: March 20, small, broken scratches.
South End of Burnt Cliff Island: March 20, increased bird activity.

Total estimate: 10,000 t.

Test Sets: 
March 16; west of Tree Bluff;8.7%;183mm;62:60;41-5-14-0-0;(roe 867g:21.25g)
March 17; west of Escape reefs/South Passage;9.3%;183mm;62:57;44-3-10-0-1;(roe 
933g:84.9g)
March 18; West of Haida Bay, 4%;168mm;72:78;29-11-38-0-4(13.65g:65g)
March 19; 1 mile west of Burnt Cliff Island, 12.2%;188mm;50:62;54-3-5-0-0
(22.68g:89.22g)
March 19; West of Escape Reefs, 11%;189mm;51:46;42-2-2-0-0(26.11g:103.14g)
March 21; northeast shore of Finlayson, 1%;162mm;74:74;7-17-51-7-38
(15.48g:52.32g)

The next notice will be March 26.  

Definitions:
Scratches - Herring present in small schools 1 to 2 tons
Skimmer - Herring spread out near the surface, difficult to quantify
Fish on bottom (FOB) - Herring too close to the bottom to quantify
NFF - No Fish Found
Washed out spawn - Spawn that is coming to an end
Miles - Means nautical miles for this bulletin

ROE TEST CODE: Date;Location;roe yield;fish size;males:females;#1-#2-#3-
#spawned-#juvenile;(roe weight g:fish weight g)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jessica Ottley 250-627-3007

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0274
Sent March 25, 2019 at 1115

Return to Main Menu

Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 30, 2026 at 2108