Fishery Notice

North Coast Herring Update
Area 4/5 - Big Bay

April 16, 2019

Lax Kw'alaams fisheries continue to conduct patrols watching for spawn in  the 
Big Bay assessment areas.  No new spawn has been observed to date; patrols will 
resume weather permitting.

The dive charter Royal Pride has fulfilled contract obligations and will be off 
grounds today. 

April 12, 2019

Lax Kw'alaams fisheries April 9, 2019: Approximately 5 nm of spawn was observed 
on the northern and southern shore of Stumaun Bay leading into Cunningham Pass. 

Approximately 25 nm of spawn has been observed in the Big Bay assessment area 
to date. 

April 4, 2019: 

Spawn Flight:
No new or active spawn observed throughout the Big Bay assessment area. An 
active spawn measuring 1.5 nm was observed on the northern shore of Porcher 
Island around Hunts point. Bird and sea lion activity observed in Butler's Cove 
suggests a spawn did occur or is close to spawning. 

No new or active spawn observed in the Kitkatla assessment area. Heavy bird, 
sea lion and whale activity observed on the outside of Freeman Pass east of 
Joachim Pt. 

April 1, 2019:

Dive Charter Royal Pride: Spawn assessment has been completed from Gordon Pt.
(south end of Finlayson)south to Salmon Bight in Big Bay. Assessment resumes 
today at Ryan's Pt. working northward towards Trenham Pt. (Tree Bluff). Upon 
completion the Royal Pride will be making its way to Kitkatla to assess the 
early spawn observed in Dries Inlet in Area 5. 

Additional spawn was observed over the weekend in Venn Pass from Observation 
Pt. to the community of Metlakatla bringing the total length of spawn to 
approximately 18.6 nm to date.     

Observations:

Northend of Tugwell Island: Small spawn observed on northend of the Island it 
is anticipated that the spawn will continue along the western shore. 
Cunningham Pass: Small scattered schools holding in along the eastern shore of 
Cunningham Pass leading to Stumaun Bay. Spawn is anticipated in the next week 
or so. 

After today the Nita Maria will have fulfilled the charter contract and will be 
leaving the grounds. Royal Pride has been provided maps regarding spawning 
activity and will proceed to Big Bay tomorrow to begin the dive contract. Lax 
Kw'alaams fisheries have been contracted to capture spawn that will occur later 
in the season.

Spawn: To date approximately 18 nm of spawn has been observed from Pearl 
Harbour south to Big Bay, Duncan Bay and Tugwell Island. 

March 27, 2019:

Observations:

Cunningham Pass: Small scratches. Small schools of herring holding along the 
eastern shore of Cunningham Pass. It is anticipated that a spawn will occur 
later in the week. 
Pearl Harbour: Small scratches. 
West of Burnt Cliff Island: Small scratches. 
Northend of Tugwell Island: Bird activity may indicate small schools in the 
shallows.

Pearl Harbour: March 26, small scratches throughout.
Fortune Pt: March 26, small scratches.
Cunningham Pass: March 26, small, broken schools in the lower half above Otter 
anchorage.  Small schools holding adjacent along the eastern shore of 
Cunningham Pass from Otter Anchorage to Rose Island.
Haida Bay: March 26, small surface scratches of small, juvenile herring.
Bernie Island: March 26, NFF.
Rushbrook Passage: March 26, NFF.
Stumaun Bay: March 26, NFF.
Finlayson Island: March 26, bird activity observed at Gordon Pt.
Northeastern shore of Finlayson: March 21, broken schools.
West of Burnt Cliff: March 25, NFF.
Venn Passage: March 25, small school estimated 75 t.
Inskip: March 24, NFF.
Parkins Island: March 24, NFF.
Sparrowhawk Rock: March 24, estimated 400 t.
West of Swamp Island: March 23, numerous small to medium schools holding 
offshore.
West of Tree Bluff: March 20, estimated 5000 t.
West of Tree Bluff: March 21, small school estimated 100 t.
West of Hogan's Ledge: March 20, estimated 500 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.
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 28.  

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

Corey Martens 250 627 3404

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0361
Sent April 16, 2019 at 1214

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