Fishery Notice

Further to FN0938, a limited participation assessment fishery in Area 29 by seine vessel has determined Pink Salmon abundance and the Sockeye Salmon encounter rate are at acceptable levels to expand the opportunity.

In 2023, Area B Fraser River Pink Salmon harvest opportunities will be managed as an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) demonstration fishery and will be based on available commercial Total Allowable Catch (TAC). Sufficient vessel quota is required to participate in any fishery opening below.

This opening will be a Fraser River Pink-directed fishery and retention of Sockeye will not be permitted. All non-target species will be released alive and unharmed.

The number of vessels participating in this fishery is not limited; however, there is the requirement for observers in this fishery, which is to be coordinated through the Area B Harvest Committee. The requirement is for minimum one At-Sea-Observer per 10 vessels (10% observer coverage). If more than 10 vessels hail into the fishery, the Area B Harvest Committee will need to coordinate an additional observer, or conduct a draw to determine which 10 vessels will participate in a limited entry fishery. If at least one At-Sea-Observer cannot be secured daily, the fishery will close on short notice. 

Sockeye release mortalities will be determined using fleet-wide estimates of Sockeye encounter rates, Sockeye release mortality rates (25% for seine) and Pink Salmon landings. Sockeye encounter rates will be determined using fleet-wide encounter rates from independent observer data. If Sockeye impacts are too high, this fishery may close on short notice.

To minimize potential impacts on Sockeye and other by-catch species, vessel masters are encouraged to target and retain sets to not exceed in the range of 4,000 to 6,000 Pinks per set. Workable sets of a moderate size ensure the highest survival of Sockeye and other by-catch species by minimizing the time it takes to release these species from the net. Furthermore, any sets made in shallow areas should be brailed and sorted in deeper waters so the net is not in contact with the bottom substrate.

Area B Seine will open 09:00 hours to 21:00 hours effective September 6, 2023 in Subareas 29-4, 29-6, 29-7, and 29-9.

Area B Seine will open 06:00 hours to 21:00 hours daily September 7, 2023 to September 15, 2023 in Subareas 29-4, 29-6, 29-7, and 29-9.

Variation Order Nos. 2023-B—A29-SN-004, 2023-B—A29-SN-005, 2023-B—A29-SN-006, 2023-B—A29-SN-007, 2023-B—A29-SN-008, 2023-B—A29-SN-009, 2023-B—A29-SN-010, 2023-B—A29-SN-011, 2023-B—A29-SN-012, 2023-B—A29-SN-013

There is a depth restriction in this fishery and vessels shall not fish in depths shallower than 45 meters (approximately 25 fathoms). There are no depth restrictions in place for those fishing areas south of Delta Port, which are areas closed to crab fishing. Minimum bunt mesh size 70 mm. The use of power skiffs is permitted.

At this time the cumulative individual quota in pieces for each Area B licence is 37,500 Fraser Pink Salmon based on a share of 0.49107% and a commercial TAC of 7,636,300 Fraser Pink Salmon. Each individual quota amount (in pieces) will change if the available commercial TAC changes in-season and is cumulative for the season. These commercial TACs are for the purpose of calculating the individual quota amounts for Area B and H vessels only.

The available commercial Fraser River Pink TAC will be distributed over the course of the fishery (in increments) rather than all at once and will be announced by fishery notice and adjusted if necessary following Fraser Panel meetings (usually Tuesday and Friday) depending on abundance and stock composition. 

The vessel must have sufficient allocations (ITQ) of Pink Salmon to participate in this fishery. It is the responsibility of the vessel master to cease fishing when the vessel quota for Fraser River Pink Salmon is achieved. For further details please refer to the guidelines for the 2023 ITQ demonstration fishery which are available in Appendix 7 of the 2023/24 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Southern BC at the following link:
https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/41187404.pdf 

Vessel Masters are requested to avoid fishing in the vicinity of Killer Whales when they are present in these areas.

If required, further updates will be made by fishery notice.

NOTES:
The target species in this fishery is Fraser River Pink Salmon. There will be non-retention of Sockeye, Chum, Coho, Chinook and Steelhead. This fishery has been designed to address stocks of concern constraints.

A valid 2023/24 Salmon Area B licence (complete with licence conditions), logbook requirements, operating revival tanks and brailing are mandatory in this fishery, as well as a legal requirement. 

Vessel masters must, prior to leaving for the fishing grounds, either phone AMR at 1-888-387-0007, or submit the details via e-log, to complete a start fishing report and announce their intention to fish.

At the end of each fishing day and prior to 08:00 hours of the next day, the vessel master must, as a condition of licence, record their catch information either in their Salmon Log Book and report their catch by calling AMR at 1-888-387-0007 or submit their catch information via e-log.

Within 24 hours of the end of a fishing trip and prior to commencing a subsequent fishing trip, the vessel master shall either phone in or submit via e-log an End Fishing Report.  Should a vessel master decide not to fish after having obtained a Trip Identification Number the vessel master shall phone in or submit via e-log a Trip Cancellation report. 

Catch validation is mandatory and individual licence holders are required to make their own arrangements with a landing observer service provider authorized by the Department. Licence holders that plan to harvest Fraser River Pink Salmon must register with the landing observer service provider in advance of the fishery to confirm arrangements. For further information contact J.O. Thomas and Associates (ph: 1-866-930-4000).

Prior to any dockside landing of fish, the vessel master shall hail in to the designated landing observer service provider at 1-866-930-4000 between 
06:00 hours and 18:00 hours seven days per week and provide the following information:
- vessel name;
- vessel registration number;
- name and Fisher Identification Number of the vessel master;
- contact phone number;
- date, time, port and location of landing of the fish;
- name of fish buying station where fish are to be landed;
- product type;
- estimated number of pieces by species;
- area fished; and
- sub-area fished.

A landing observer shall be present during all landing of catch to record the number and weight of each species of salmon delivered. Vessel masters will be required to work with the designated Landing Observer Service Provider to check their availability. 

The vessel master shall deliver only to packers designated for the quota 
fishery.  The vessel master shall retain a copy of the validation record 
provided by the packer at each delivery. If the vessel leaves the quota fishery to fish in another fishery the catch shall be landed and verified by a landing observer prior to entering the other fishery.

Quota will be transferable in whole or in part within Area B as well as between Area H. Transfers to other gears are not allowed. Quota may be reallocated as a percent (for the season) or by pieces (temporarily to cover an overage). In all instances overages accrued in-season must be covered by a quota reallocation, even if associated with a change in TAC. Reallocations associated with overages must be made within 24 hours of landing. In addition, vessels will not be permitted to continue fishing (start fishing report) until all overages are covered. Contact Heather Braun at Heather.Braun@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or (250) 240-0713 for more information.

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:
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/smon-trans-log-journal-inst-eng.html

The Area B Harvest Committee requests its fleet members limit interactions with Coho by avoiding fishing in areas with high Coho encounters.  

REMINDERS:

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 DFO by completing the section reserved for that purpose in the 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  to  DFO by completing the section reserved for that purpose in the electronic logbook. 
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).

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. On April 26, 2023, 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), Speed Restricted Zones that restrict vessels to a maximum of 10 knots in designated areas (including fishing), minimum approach distances, and a number of voluntary measures including to stop fishing (do not haul gear) and reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass. 

For more information about the 2023 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

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.
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 or VHF Channel 16.

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 species of sea turtle seen (e.g.  leatherback), the location and time of sighting. 

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). Handle birds with gloves, double bag dead birds and label each with date, time, location, and store them on ice. Alternatively, send a photograph of birds with a reference object (e.g. coin) to Laurie.Wilson@ec.gc.ca. For more information contact Laurie Wilson (Laurie.Wilson@ec.gc.ca, 604-862-8817).

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:

Quota Officer:
Heather Braun
Heather.Braun@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0949
Sent September 5, 2023 at 1728

Return to Main Menu

Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 20, 2024 at 1034