Fishery Notice

British Columbia's Family Fishing Weekend (FFW) is a celebration of the great 
tradition of sport fishing.  The Government of Canada is providing an 
opportunity to fish in tidal waters at no cost (unless you require a salmon 
conservation stamp) for the weekend dates of June 14, 15 and 16, 2019 only.  
For these dates a Tidal Water Sports Fishing (TWSF) Licence is not required to 
fish in BC tidal waters except for species as specified below. This is 
applicable to Canadian residents as well as non-residents and covers adults, 
seniors and juveniles.  If you already have a valid TWSF Licence, you must 
carry it when you are fishing during the Family Fishing Weekend.  Please note 
that all conditions of Licence, closures and catch restrictions are still 
enforced.  Ensure you refer to the conditions of the 2019/2020 TWSF Licence as 
well as the online BC Sport Fishing Guide (http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-
gp/rec/index-eng.html) before going fishing.  To fish for salmon in freshwater 
you will require a free FFW or Juvenile TWSF Licence and a valid 2019 salmon 
conservation stamp.  The salmon conservation stamp can be purchased and added 
to the free TWSF Licence.  Please note if you already hold a valid stamp it 
will automatically be added to the free FFW TWSF Licence online.  If you hold a 
hard copy salmon conservation stamp ensure you carry it along with the free FFW 
TWSF Licence for the June 14 to 16, 2019 period.  Please note that the free FFW 
TWSF Licence is valid from June 14 to 16, 2019 only, however, any salmon 
conservation stamps purchased are valid for the fishing season (April 01, 2019 -
 March 31, 2020).

A printed hard copy of the TWSF Licence is required for:

Non-residents wishing to fish and retain halibut in Areas 121, 23 and 123.  
Only a Canadian resident may fish for halibut under an electronic licence in 
Areas 121, 23 and 123.  Non-residents must obtain their licence from an 
Independent Access Provider (IAP) in Canada.

You are required, by regulation, to have a printed copy of your licence to 
record in ink catch of Chinook Salmon, Halibut, and Lingcod in specified 
areas.  Your licence must be produced on request of a fishery officer, 
conservation officer or fishery guardian, so ensure you have your licence with 
you while fishing or transporting your catch, either in hard copy or readily 
available on your mobile device.

You may obtain a complimentary Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licence for the period 
of June 14 to 16, 2019 online: 
https://recfish-pechesportive.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

New conservation measures are in effect for Fraser River Chinook in southern 
BC.  Please see:  http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/maps-cartes/salmon-
saumon/2019-chinook-quinnat-eng.html

Additionally the public can obtain a complimentary basic freshwater licence 
from the BC Government for the Family Fishing Weekend, 1-877-855-3222.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0535
Sent June 12, 2019 at 1614

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 25, 2026 at 2150