Fishery Notice

This notice amends the previously issued FN 0651 and corrects the description for the Chinook non-retention areas in Subareas 20-1 and 20-2 from July 15 through October 25. The complete and corrected notice is as follows:

This notice advises fishers of the recreational Chinook fishing opportunities and other local closures and non-retention areas for Areas 18, 19, 20, and Subareas 29-3 to 29-5 that are in effect August 1, 2021. This notice also includes measures in effect July 15 for Subareas 29-1 and 29-2.

For all areas, any in-season changes or terminal opportunities based on abundance will be announced by subsequent Fishery Notice(s). Fishers are reminded to check the DFO website before they go fishing for current regulations in effect that day.

AREA 18:

SALMON FISHING CLOSURE:

-Those waters around the Gulf Islands (Pender and Saturna Islands, portions of 18-2, 18-4, 18-5, 18-11; Subarea 18-9) previously announced to support Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery in Fishery Notice 0638 are closed to salmon fishing until October 31, 2021.

FINFISH CLOSURES:

Effective August 1 until October 15, 2021 the following areas closed to fishing for all finfish:

-That portion of Subarea 18-7 that lies southerly of a line from a square white boundary sign on Vancouver Island, near 48°46.179'N and 123°34.654'W, to a square white boundary sign on Saltspring Island SE of Burial Islet, near 48°45.992'N and 123°33.777'W, AND northerly of a line from a square white boundary sign on Saltspring Island approximately 1.5 nautical miles ESE of Musgrave Point, near 48°43.982'N and 123°31.418'W, to a square white boundary sign on Vancouver Island approximately 0.5 nautical miles NW of Cherry Point, near 48°43.197'N and 123°33.708'W.

-That portion of Subarea 18-8 that lies easterly of a line from a square white boundary sign at Separation Point to a square white boundary sign at Wilcuma Wharf in Cowichan Bay

Effective August 1 until October 31, 2021 the following areas closed to fishing for all finfish:

-In Subarea 18-8, the waters of Cowichan Bay inside a line from a fishing boundary sign near Separation Point on Vancouver Island to Wilcuma Wharf.

CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS:

Effective August 1 until October 15, 2021 the following areas are Chinook non-retention:

-Subareas 18-6

-That portion of Subarea 18-7 that lies northerly of a line from a square white boundary sign on Vancouver Island, near 48°46.179'N and 123°34.654'W, to a square white boundary sign on Saltspring Island SE of Burial Islet, near 48°45.992'N and 123°33.777'W, AND southerly of a line from a square white boundary sign on Saltspring Island approximately 1.5 nautical miles ESE of Musgrave Point, near 48°43.982'N and 123°31.418'W, to a square white boundary sign on Vancouver Island approximately 0.5 nautical miles NW of Cherry Point, near 48°43.197'N and 123°33.708'W

-that portion of Subarea 18-8 that lies easterly of a line from a square white boundary sign at Wilcuma Wharf in Cowichan Bay.

-Subarea 18-10

AREA 18 - daily quota and size restrictions (excluding those closed and non-retention areas/periods listed above):

-Effective 00:01 hours August 1 to 23:59 hours August 31: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

-Effective 00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: Chinook minimum size limit is 62 cm in Area 18.

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AREA 19:

Subarea 19-2 is closed to all fishing activity all year due to ongoing pollution.

FINFISH CLOSURES:

Effective September 1 until November 30, 2021 the following area is closed to fishing for all finfish:

-Subarea 19-12 [Saanich Inlet, south of Christmas Point]

Effective September 15 until November 30, 2021 the following area is closed to fishing for all finfish:

-Whiskey Point: The waters of Saanich Inlet in Subarea 19-8 inside a line from Whiskey Point to Verdier Point.

CHINOOK NON-RETENTION:

Effective August 1 until October 15, 2021 the following areas are Chinook non-retention areas:

-Subareas 19-7 to 19-12 [Saanich Inlet]

AREA 19 - daily quota and size restrictions (excluding those closed and non-retention areas/periods listed above):

-Effective 00:01 hours August 1 to 23:59 hours August 31: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

-Effective 00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: Chinook minimum size limit is 45 cm in Subareas 19-1, 19-3 and 19-4. The Chinook minimum size limit in Subareas 19-5 to 19-12 is 62 cm.

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AREA 20:

SALMON FISHING CLOSURES:

Subareas 20-3 and 20-4 are closed to salmon fishing to support Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery from August 1 until October 31, 2021. More details will be announced in a subsequent Fishery Notice.

FINFISH CLOSURES:

Effective August 15 until September 4, 2021 the following areas closed to fishing for all finfish:

-In Area 20, those waters that are inside a line that begins at a white square boundary sign located approximately .8 nautical miles west of Owen Point, then to 48°32.45' north latitude and 124°32.05' west longitude, then to the Port San Juan Light and Whistle Buoy, then to Woods Nose, then across Port San Juan to a white square boundary sign at 48°33.23' north latitude and 124°28.55' west longitude.

CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS (excluding the closed areas listed above):

Effective July 15 until October 25, 2021 the following areas are Chinook non-retention areas:

- Those portions of Subareas 20-1 and 20-2 shoreward of a line between a square white boundary sign at Owen Point, the Port San Juan Light and Whistle Buoy, and to Woods Nose.

Effective August 1 until October 15, 2021 the following areas are Chinook non-retention areas:

-Subareas 20-6 and 20-7

AREA 20 - daily quota and size restrictions (excluding those closed and non-retention areas listed above):

Subareas 20-1 and 20-2 (excluding the closed and non-retention areas listed above):

-Effective 00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours July 31: Two (2) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

-Effective 00:01 hours August 1 to 23:59 hours December 31: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit

Subareas 20-3 to 20-7 (excluding the closures and non-retention areas listed above): 

-Effective 00:01 hours August 1 to 23:59 hours August 31: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

-Effective 00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: Chinook minimum size limit is 45 cm in Area 20.

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SUBAREAS 29-1 to 29-5:

CHINOOK FISHING CLOSURE:

Effective April 1 until August 31, 2021 the following areas are closed to fishing for Chinook:

-Those portions of Subareas 29-3 to 29-5 that lie east of a line from Gower Point (49°23.021'N, 123°32.166' W) near Gibsons to Shah Point on the southern tip of Valdes Island (49°01.695'N, 123°35.721'W).

SUBAREAS 29-1 to 29-2 - daily quota and size restrictions:

-Effective 00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 31: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

-Effective 00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

SUBAREAS 29-3 to 29-5 - daily quota and size restrictions (excluding those closed and non-retention areas/periods listed above):

-Effective 00:01 hours August 1 to 23:59 hours August 31: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

-Effective 00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: Chinook minimum size limit is 62 cm in Subareas 29-1 to 29-5.

Variation Orders: 2020-RFQ-0344, 2020-RCT-347, 2020-RCT-371

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Coast-wide Recreational Fisheries:

For the recreational fishery, the annual aggregate limit for Chinook salmon is ten (10) in all tidal waters coast-wide.

Variation Order: 2021-RFQ-094


Notes:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.  

The term "marked", "hatchery marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labeling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped Chinook and Coho Salmon.  Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are currently in effect and are closed to all fin-fishing.  Descriptions of RCAs, other closures such as finfish closed areas and salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. On April 14, 2021, the Government announced a suite of management measures to be implemented this summer that help address the key threats of reduced prey availability (primarily Chinook salmon), and acoustic and physical disturbance. These measures include salmon fishery closures, Interim Sanctuary Zones that restrict vessels from entering (including fishing), minimum vessel approach distances and a number of voluntary measures including to stop fishing (do not haul gear) within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass. For more information about the 2021 management measures, please visit https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales or contact the Marine Mammal Team at DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation?  If so, please call the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-866-431-FISH (3474).


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Erika Watkins, ECVI Recreational Fisheries Manager, Erika.Watkins@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Or contact your local DFO office http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/contact/regions/pacific-pacifique-eng.html

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0665
Sent July 9, 2021 at 0944

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 20, 2024 at 1236