Fishery Notice

Nuxalk Demonstration Fishery Opening June 5, 2019.

This demonstration fishery was proposed and reviewed as part of the work to 
implement updates to the Commercial Salmon Allocation Framework (CSAF)and was 
included in the draft 2019/2020 IFMP for public review and feedback prior to 
approval. This demonstration fishery is being conducted by the Nuxalk First 
Nation. This is a limited entry fishery, with only vessels listed on the 
licence for this fishery allowed to participate. This fishery is taking place 
as described in the draft 2019/20 Northern BC Salmon Integrated Fishery 
Management Plan.

The Area C gill net fishery will open for 24 hours, from 18:00 hours Wednesday, 
June 5 to 18:00 hours Thursday, June 6, 2019 in the Bella Coola Gill Net Area, 
described as: 

Subareas 8-10, 8-11, a portion of 8-12 north of Bensins Island; a portion of 8-
13 north of a line from 52 degrees 00.134 minutes north latitude and 127 
degrees 39.073 minutes west longitude to 52 degrees 00.13 minutes north 
latitude and 127 degrees 41.50 minutes west longitude (formally a boundary sign 
on the southernmost Point of Restoration Bay due west to a boundary sign on 
King Island); and subarea 8-15.  

Min Mesh 203 mm.  Max Depth 60 Meshes.  Max Hang Ratio 3:1, Corkline to Web 
Distance Min 0 cm, Max 45 cm.  

The target species in this fishery is Atnarko Chinook. This gill net fishery is 
being conducted with non-retention and non-possession of steelhead and Coho. 
Fishers are required to release all steelhead and Coho to the water with the 
least possible harm. Fishers are requested to release all live Sockeye to the 
water to assist in addressing concerns over a trend to low returns of Sockeye.

Operating revival boxes are mandatory and all prohibited species captured 
incidentally must be either revived in the revival tank and released, or 
released directly to the water with the least possible harm.

Please note that all salmon gill net fisheries have requirements for recording 
and reporting.  Refer to your 2019/2020 Area C conditions of licence for 
complete details.

Lost fishing gear shall be reported within 24 hours of determining that gear 
has been lost to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by completing and submitting the 
Lost Fishing Gear form available online at 
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/index-
eng.html. For more information, refer to your area conditions of licence. 

Please note changes to transporting of salmon. Please see 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.

As of June 1, vessels throughout the critical habitat of the Southern Resident 
killer whale, including recreational boats and commercial vessels, will be 
required to stay at least 400 metres away from all killer whales. Vessels are 
also asked to reduce their speed to less than 7 knots if they are within 1,000 
metres of killer whales in certain areas, and to turn off their echo sounders 
and turn engines to neutral idle if a whale is within 400 metres.

As required by the US Marine Mammal Protection Act regulations, all countries 
exporting fish and fish products to the United States must comply with the 
updated import provisions which include requirements to report and record all 
incidental fishery-related interactions with marine mammals. As such, Canada 
has committed to updating license conditions for all marine commercial and 
First Nation economic fisheries to include reporting requirements for 
interactions with marine mammals. The link to the online National form and 
instructions for filling in and reporting can be found here: 
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-
rapport/page01-eng.html. For more information, please see FN0388.

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 call your local charter patrol to organize pick-up, 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).

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is interested in reports of sea turtles in BC 
waters. By documenting sightings we are able to learn more about how, when, and 
where these turtles are using our waters. If you see a sea turtle, please call 
this toll-free phone number: 1-866-I SAW ONE (1-866-472-9663).  Please include 
information such as the type of sea turtle seen (i.e. leatherback), the 
location, and time of sighting. 

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:

Bradley Koroluk - 250-799-5127

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0494
Sent June 3, 2019 at 1049

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 25, 2026 at 2229