Fishery Notice

Tsu-ma-uss commercial Economic Opportunity fishery is open in the following 
areas and times: 

Tseshaht First Nation - Communal drag seine opens 7 hours 05:00 hours to 12:00 
hours daily June 14 to 16, 2019 in that portion of subarea 23-1 Somass River 
known as Paper Mill Dam Pool.

Hupacasath First Nation - gill nets open for 11 hours, 10:00 hours to 21:00 
hours Friday June 13 and for 16 hours, 05:00 hours to 21:00 hours Saturday June 
14, 2019 in portions of subareas 23-1 and 23-2 from the tidal boundary signs at 
Paper Mill Dam in the Somass River downstream into Alberni Inlet to a line from 
Hocking Point due east to the opposite shore. Only designated members selected 
by the Hupacasath First Nation Fishery Manager may participate.

Hupacasath First Nation - dip netting open 16 hours, 05:00 hours to 21:00 hours 
daily June 14 to June 18, 2019 in a portion of the Sproat River known as 
Danny's Pool. Only designated members selected by the Hupacasath First Nation 
Fishery Manager may participate.

Tsu-ma-uss (Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations) - gill nets open for 48 
hours, 12:00 hours Sunday June 16 to 12:00 hours Tuesday June 18, 2019 in 
portions of subareas 23-1 and 23-2 from the tidal boundary signs at Paper Mill 
Dam in the Somass River downstream into Alberni Inlet to a line from Hocking 
Point due east to the opposite shore. Hook and line open 00:01 hours June 14 to 
23:59 hours June 18, 2019 in portions of subareas 23-1 and 23-2 from 
approximately 60 meters downstream from the top of the island below Paper Mill 
Dam Pool in the Somass River downstream into the Alberni Inlet to a line from 
Hocking Point due east to the opposite shore. Paper Mill Dam Pool remains 
closed to hook and line.

Only individuals designated by the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations are 
authorized to participate in this fishery. Fish harvesters are advised to 
contact their Band Office for a copy of the conditions of their fishing licence.

The target species in this fishery is Somass Sockeye salmon.  Incidentally 
caught Coho and Chinook may be retained and sold. All other species must be 
released back to the water alive and unharmed.
 
It is mandatory that all salmon retained under the authority of this licence be 
transported to the nearest landing station and made available for inspection. A 
monitor shall be present during all landing of catch to record the number and 
weight of each species of salmon delivered and a landing slip issued. 

For 2019 there is a new minimum approach distance for Killer Whales of 400 m, 
in all Canadian Fisheries waters in the Pacific Ocean and British Columbia. For 
other whales, dolphins and porpoises the minimum approach distances is 100 m. 
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.

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 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.

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:

Mike Spence, Resource Manager, Port Alberni (250) 720 4440

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0543
Sent June 14, 2019 at 1515

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 25, 2026 at 2159