Fishery Notice

Harvesters are hereby notified of the following in-season area closures to fishing groundfish with mid-water trawl gear. Effective November 15, 2023 to February 20, 2024, the entirety of subareas 12-9 to 12-12, 12-15, 12-16, and 12-39 will be closed to mid-water trawl gear. 

Preliminary results of the Enhanced Salmon Sampling Program, that began in September 2022, have shown a significant amount of Pacific salmon bycatch in the areas around the northeastern portion of Vancouver Island. Based on these results and in a precautionary effort to reduce salmon bycatch in this area, the Department is implementing area closures in specific subareas of PFMA 12 for the remainder of the 2023/24 Groundfish mid-water trawl fishing season. Longer-term measures to reduce salmon bycatch in trawl fisheries are being considered. 


For more information - please contact:


Lindsay Richardson-Deranger 
Trawl Coordinator, Groundfish
Email: Lindsay.Richardson-Deranger@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Maureen Finn
A/Regional Manager, Groundfish
Email: Maureen.Finn@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Adam Keizer
Senior Salmon Advisor
Email: Adam.Keizer@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1206
Sent November 14, 2023 at 1349

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on March 14, 2025 at 0635