Fishery Notice

Assessments of Haida Gwaii Pink salmon run size and escapement are done visually by charter patrolmen and DFO staff.  Additional assessments of watersheds in Naden Harbour, Masset Inlet, Skidegate Inlet and Rennell Sound are coordinated with the Haida Fisheries Program.  Pink salmon assessments on Haida Gwaii started the week of August 8, with vessel based Charter Patrol operations starting on August 14 in Area 2E and August 19 in Area 2W. 

Precipitation levels were very low in recent weeks and Haida Gwaii stream flows were at extreme low flow levels last week with the vast majority of returning Pink salmon holding in the marine approach areas and estuaries. Significant rainfall events have occurred over the last three days resulting in normal stream flow conditions and high rates of Pink salmon migration into key watersheds over the last 24 hours. 
   

Area 1
Assessments of Pink salmon abundance in the marine holding areas of Masset Inlet have indicated moderate abundance with no surplus over target escapements.  Marine assessments in Naden Harbour have indicated low abundance of Pink salmon to date.  

   
Area 2E
Assessments in the marine holding areas of Skidegate Inlet, Cumshewa Inlet, Darwin Sound and Juan Perez Sound have indicated moderate abundance of Pink salmon. 


Area 2W
Recent assessments of the West Skidegate area have indicated low marine abundance in Rennell Sound and West Skidegate areas with very few fish observed instream.  Assessments of the Kaisun Harbour area have identified moderate marine abundance with no escapement having occurred to late last week. Marine abundance in Security Inlet was assessed as low.


Assessment of Area 1 and 2 Pink salmon returns is ongoing and will continue through September to estimate escapements.  Area 1 and 2 Chum salmon assessments will also begin in early to mid-September and continue through October. 

Haida Gwaii Pink and Chum salmon harvest opportunities are only considered on identified surpluses and based on observations to date no commercial net fishing opportunities have been identified. Pink salmon opportunities are now considered to be very unlikely.

The next Haida Gwaii stock assessment update will be Tuesday, September 13.  If commercial net harvest opportunities are identified prior to September 13, they will be announced by Fishery Notice.   


Notes:


Lost Gear Reporting:

The licence holder/operator must report any of their lost fishing gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of lost gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the Lost Fishing Gear form available online at 
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/reporting-declaration-eng.html. 
If using an Electronic logbook, the licence holder/fishing vessel operator must report any of their lost fishing gear to Fisheries and Oceans Canada gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of lost gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook.
Retrieved Gear Reporting:

The licence holder/operator must report the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of retrieved gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)  by completing and submitting the Retrieval of Previously Reported Lost Fishing Gear form available online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/index-eng.html. 
Retrieval can only occur during the validity period of these licence conditions and only in relation to the specific type of gear authorized to be used by these licence conditions. If using an Electronic logbook, the licence holder/fishing vessel operator must report the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of retrieved gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook. Retrieval can only occur under a valid fishing licence and only in relation to the specific type of gear authorized to be used by the fishing licence.
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. This aligns with reporting requirements under the Marine Mammal Regulations.  The link to the online National form and instructions for filling in and reporting can be found at 
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-rapport/page01-eng.html. 
For more information, please see FN0388 (2018).

Environment and Climate Change Canada continues to monitor seabird by-catch in net fisheries. Please retain and provide all dead birds entangled in nets to DFO, or call the BC Wild Bird Mortality Line (1-866-544-4744). Label birds with date, time, location, and vessel name. Alternatively, send a photograph of birds with a reference object (i.e. coin) to Laurie.Wilson@ec.gc.ca. For more information contact Laurie Wilson (Laurie.Wilson@ec.gc.ca, 604-862-8817).

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. On April 29, 2022, 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, Seasonal Slowdown Areas where vessels are required to slow down to 10 knots while in these areas 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 2022 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
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.

If a marine mammal 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 animal of the fishing gear as this can pose a serious threat to the safety of the fisher and the animal. If your vessel strikes a whale, or if you observe a sick, injured, distressed, or dead marine mammal in B.C. waters, please contact the hotline immediately: 1-800-465-4336 or VHF Channel 16.

Fishers are encouraged to stop fishing (do not haul gear) within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass. For more information on the best ways to help whales while on the water, when on both sides of the border, please visit: bewhalewise.org.

Report suspicious activity or violations by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or 604-607-4186 in greater Vancouver.

The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474 or 604-666-2828 in greater Vancouver.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Patrick Fairweather
DFO Resource Manager, Haida Gwaii
778-361-0582

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0970
Sent August 30, 2022 at 1600

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