Fishery Notice

This notice advises fishers of the recreational Chinook fishing opportunities for Areas 11 to 17, 111, and Subareas 29-1 and 29-2, effective July 15, 2024.

For all areas, any in-season changes or near-shore/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.
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AREA 111 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES:

Effective 00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours July 31, 2024: One (1) 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, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.
REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 111 is 45 cm.
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AREA 11 CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS:

Effective 00:01 hours July 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2024, Subareas 11-3 to 11-10 (Inside of Nakwakto Rapids).

AREA 11 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES. (EXCLUDING THOSE PORTIONS LISTED ABOVE AS CLOSED OR NON-RETENTION):

The Chinook daily limit remains at two (2) per day in Subareas 11-1 and 11-2.

REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 11 is 45 cm.
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AREA 12 NO FISHING AREAS:

Year-round - No Fishing: That portion of Subarea 12-27 that lies inside a line that begins at 50° 41.336' N, 126° 02.560' W then easterly following the shoreline into Lull Bay, then following the shoreline to 50° 41.119' N, 125° 57.484' W then southerly to 50° 39.979' N, 125° 57.488' W then westerly following the shoreline to 50° 39.667' N, 126° 02.558' W then northerly to the beginning point.

AREA 12 FINFISH CLOSURES:

The following areas are closed to fishing for finfish: 

Year-round - Subarea 12-34, the waters of the mouth of Klinaklini River (Knight Inlet) shoreward of a line from a fishing boundary sign at the southern entrance to Wahshihlas Bay to a fishing boundary sign at Rubble Point.

Year-round - Subarea 12-46, the mouth of Kingcome River shoreward of a line from a fishing boundary sign on Petley Point to a fishing boundary sign on a point on the opposite shore of Kingcome Inlet.

Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours November 30, 2024 - Subarea 12-19, the mouth of Nimpkish River inside a line from a fishing boundary sign at a point on the shore of Vancouver Island approximately 1.5 km east of Broad Point, then to a navigational aid in the middle of Haddington Passage, then to a fishing boundary sign at a point approximately 1 km east of Willow Creek, then to the tidal water boundary signs approximately 100 m upstream of the Highway 19 bridge.

Effective 00:01 hours June 15 until 23:59 hours September 30, 2024 - Subarea 12-20 [Those waters of Parson Bay bounded inside a line from Red Point on Harbledown Island to a marker on the most northwest point of Parson Island, from there following the northern shore to the most easterly point and from there true east to Harbledown Island].

Effective 00:01 hours August 15 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2024 - Subarea 12-19, the waters of Port McNeill Bay westerly of a line from a boundary sign at the north end of the Western Forest Products jetty, true north to a boundary sign on the opposite shore of Ledge Point Peninsula.

Effective 00:01 hours August 15 until 23:59 hours September 30, 2024 - Subareas 12-38 and 12-39, the mouth of Scott Cove Creek and Viner Sound shoreward of a line between fishing boundary signs located at King Point and on the point 1 km south from the mouth of Scott Cove Creek.

AREA 12 CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS:

Effective 00:01 hours August 1 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2024 - that portion of Subarea 12-19 [Broughton Strait] southerly of a line from Ledge Point to the light on the southern end of Haddington Island, then to the light on Yellow Bluff on Cormorant Island, then following the shoreline southerly to a marker on Gordon Bluff, then to Lewis Point on Vancouver Island.

AREA 12 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES (EXCLUDING THOSE PORTIONS LISTED ABOVE AS CLOSED OR NON-RETENTION):

Queen Charlotte Strait and Johnstone Strait (Area 12, excluding Subarea 12-14):
 
00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 16, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

00:01 hours August 17 to 23:59 hours August 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 12 is 62 cm (excluding Subarea 12-14).

For clarity, the Chinook daily limit remains at two (2) per day in Subarea 12-14, with a minimum size limit of 45 cm. 
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AREA 13 FINFISH CLOSURES:

The following areas are closed to fishing for finfish:

Year-round, Subarea 13-24 [The waters of Phillips Arm northerly of a line from Hewitt Point north easterly to Shirley Creek on the opposite shore].

Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2024 - Subarea 13-34 [The waters of Salmon Bay, bounded on the north by a line from Graveyard Point to the ferry landing on the opposite shore, and on the south by the downstream side of the first bridge upstream on the Salmon River].

Effective 00:01 hours July 1 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2024 - Subarea 13-12, the waters of Village Bay inside a line from a fishing boundary sign at the north entrance of Village Bay, Quadra Island, to a boundary sign at the south entrance of Village Bay.

Effective 00:01 hours October 1 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2024 - Area 13 those waters of Discovery Passage and Campbell River inside of a line starting at the fishing boundary sign at Orange Point located at 50°04.392'N by 125°16.608'W, then northeasterly to a point in the middle of the channel located at 50°04.392'N by 125°15.510'W, then southeasterly to a point located at 50°00.507'N by 125°12.859'W, then southwesterly to the fishing boundary sign on the southern end of Hidden Harbour breakwater located at 50°00.504'N by125°13.945'W.

AREA 13 CHINOOK NON-RETENTION:

Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours September 30, 2024 - that portion of Subarea 13-22 described as those waters of Bute Inlet lying north of a line from the marker at Alpha Bluff to a marker on the opposite shore, and then to the RCA boundary at the head of Bute Inlet.

AREA 13 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES (EXCLUDING THOSE PORTIONS LISTED ABOVE AS CLOSED OR NON-RETENTION):

00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

Area 13 (Campbell River Special Management Zone):

In Subareas 13-3 and 13-5, those waters of Discovery Passage and Campbell River inside of a line starting at the fishing boundary sign at Orange Point located at 50°04.392' north latitude by 125°16.608' west longitude, then northeasterly to a point in the middle of the channel located at 50°04.392' north latitude by 125°15.510' west longitude, then southeasterly to a point located at 50°00.507' north latitude by 125°12.859' west longitude, then southwesterly to the fishing boundary sign on the southern end of Hidden Harbour breakwater located at 50°00.504' north latitude by 125°13.945' west longitude.

00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: These waters are subject to other restrictions to fishing gear (all of the Campbell River Special Management Zone) and motoring (Tyee Pool) in certain areas. Please check your local regulations and 2024/25 tidal water Conditions of Licence for more details, or contact your local DFO office.

REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 13 is 62 cm.
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AREA 14 FINFISH CLOSURES:

The following areas are closed to fishing for finfish:

Effective 00:01 hours May 1 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2024 - Subarea 14-14 (Courtenay River Mouth), the waters of Comox Harbour inside a line from a fishing boundary sign near Trent River to a light at the tip of Goose Spit, except the shallow shore line defined as the waters inside and shoreward of the 2 m depth contour measured below the chart datum (0 tide). You may fish from the shoreline but not for Chinook Salmon.

Effective 00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 15, 2024, - Subarea 14-11.

Effective 00:01 hours September 1 until 23:59 hours November 30, 2024 - portions of Subareas 14-11, 14-13 and 14-14, the tidal waters within a 75 m radius of the mouth of the Trent River, the mouth of Hart (Washer) Creek, the mouth of Little River and the mouth of Mallard Creek.

AREA 14 CHINOOK NON-RETENTION:

Year-round, Subarea 14-14.

Effective 00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours July 31, 2024, the following areas are non-retention for Chinook:

Subareas 14-8, 14-9, 14-10, 14-15; and

That portion of Subarea 14-13 inside a line commencing at Cape Lazo, then following the PFMA boundary to a point in water (49 42.288N, 124 50.082W ), then following a straight line to a point in water (49 52.297N, 125 5.360W), then due west to a point on land (49 52.300N, 125 6.933W) [near Pacific Playground Marina], and thence southeasterly following the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

AREA 14 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES (EXCLUDING THOSE PORTIONS LISTED ABOVE AS CLOSED OR NON-RETENTION):

00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

Effective 00:01 hours August 5 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2024, the daily limit of Chinook Salmon is two (2) per day, with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook in the following waters:

Subareas 14-7, 14-8, 14-9, 14-10, 14-15, and

Those portions of 14-4 and 14-5 southwest of a line from Flora Islet Light (49°31.055?N, 124°34.573?W) to French Creek Breakwater Light (49°21.097?N, 124°21.278?W).

REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 14 is 62 cm.
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AREA 15 CHINOOK NON-RETENTION:

Effective 00:01 hours January 1 until 23:59 hours September 30, 2024 - that portion of Subarea 15-6 [Toba Inlet] easterly of a line from a boundary sign at Snout Point to a boundary sign on the opposite shore.

AREA 15 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES (EXCLUDING THOSE PORTIONS LISTED ABOVE AS CLOSED OR NON-RETENTION):

00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 15 is 62 cm.
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AREA 16 FINFISH CLOSURES:

The following areas are closed to fishing for finfish:

Effective 00:01 hours July 15 until 23:59 hours September 15, 2024 - In Subarea 16-17, the waters at the mouth of Sakinaw Creek, east of a line between boundary signs on the north and south sides of Sakinaw Bay.

AREA 16 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES (EXCLUDING THOSE PORTIONS LISTED ABOVE AS CLOSED OR NON-RETENTION):

00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 16 is 62 cm.
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AREA 17 FINFISH CLOSURES:

The following areas are closed to fishing for finfish:

Effective 00:01 hours July 15 until 23:59 hours October 25, 2024 - that portion of Subarea 17-14 southerly from a line from Shaft Point on Newcastle Island to Pimbury Point on Vancouver Island; including that portion of Subarea 17-15 southwesterly of a line from Jack's Point to Gallows Point on Protection Island, except that portion of Subarea 17-14 listed below.

Effective 00:01 hours July 15 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2024 - that portion of Subarea 17-9 in the tidal waters of the Chemainus River and off the Chemainus River mouth, inside a line commencing at Bare Point on Vancouver Island to the light on North Reef, to Sherard Point on Vancouver Island, then following the shoreline northerly to a boundary sign on the Chemainus River near the Bald Eagle Campground, thence across the river to the opposite bank, then following the Vancouver Island shoreline northerly to the beginning point.

Effective 00:01 hours August 4 until 23:59 hours October 25, 2024 - that portion of Departure Bay (Subarea 17-13) inside a line from Shaft Point on Newcastle Island (49°11.700'N and 123°56.821'W) to Pimbury Point on Vancouver Island (49°11.597'N and 123°56.941'W) then following the shoreline to the most westerly Ferry dock located at approximately at 49°11.672'N and 123°57.372'W then to the light on Brandon Island (49°12.427'N and 123°57.571'W) then to the point of origin.

Effective 00:01 hours October 1 until 23:59 hours October 25, 2024 - that portion of 17-14 of Nanaimo Harbour shoreward of a line from the end of the most southerly dock located at the Nanaimo Yacht Club (49°10.614'N and 123°56.336'W) to the Pedestrian Fishing Pier (Crab Dock) located at Swy-a-lana Lagoon (49°10.264 N and 123°56.051W).

Effective 00:01 hours October 25 until 23:59 hours November 30, 2024 - Subarea 17-14, that portion of the Nanaimo River from the Cedar Bridge to the white square boundary signs approximately 400 m downstream of the Cedar Bridge.

AREA 17 CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS:

Effective 00:01 hours August 1 until 23:59 hours October 15, 2024 - Subareas 17-5 to 17-7, 17-9, 17-13 to 17-17, 17-19 and 17-20; and

that portion of Subarea 17-4 except for those waters southeasterly of a line from Shingle Point to Pilkey Point; and

that portion of Subarea 17-12 inside a line from Tinson Point to Snake Island Light (RCA boundary) to the southern Five Finger Island group, then to the RCA boundary starting at Horswell Channel Buoy (49°12.93'N and 123°56.03'W), thence true west to a point on shore north of Horswell Bluff located at 49°12.93N and 123°56.47'W; and

In Subareas 17-18 to 17-20 and a portion of 17-12, those waters inside a line from Icarus Point on Vancouver Island true north 2 nautical miles, thence northwesterly to the Navy buoy in Ballenas Channel, thence to Nankivell Point at the entrance to Schooner Cove on Vancouver Island.

AREA 17 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES (EXCLUDING THOSE PORTIONS LISTED ABOVE AS CLOSED OR NON-RETENTION):

00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 17 is 62 cm.
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SUBAREAS 29-1 AND 29-2 CHINOOK RETENTION OPPORTUNITIES:

00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook.

00:01 hours September 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.

REMINDER: The minimum size for Chinook in Area 29 is 62 cm.
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Variation Orders: 2024-RFQ-264; 2024-RCT-268 

Coast-wide Recreational Fisheries:

For the recreational fishery, the annual aggregate limit for Chinook salmon is ten (10) in all tidal waters coast-wide, from the period of April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025

Variation Order: 2024-RFQ-009

NOTES AND REMINDERS:

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.

All anglers must have a licence to fish in tidal waters in BC. Apply for your BC tidal waters recreational fishing licence and salmon conservation stamp at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/index-eng.html.

Anglers are advised to check: http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures and other recreational fishing information.

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

Fishers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from hatchery marked Chinook and Coho Salmon to head depots. The head-off measurement can be used by enforcement officers to assess compliance on size limits if you remove the head from Chinook or Coho. Recovery of microscopic coded-wire tags found inside hatchery marked Chinook and Coho heads provide critical information for coast-wide Salmon stock assessment programs. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

Sport fishers are reminded of the importance of catch monitoring programs for recreational fisheries. As a condition of their BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence, fishers are required to provide complete and accurate information regarding their catch and fishing activities upon request of DFO creel surveyors stationed at marinas and boat launches. DFO Creel surveyors are designated authorities of Fisheries and Oceans Canada under s.61(5) of the Fisheries Act; please be respectful when asked to report catch and allow biological sampling. Refusal to report catch and/or harassment of creel surveyors will not be tolerated and may result in charges laid.

Internet Recreational Effort and Catch Reporting program (iREC): Sport Fishers are reminded that it is a condition of their BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence to complete their iREC report online before their reporting deadline. The assigned reporting period, the web address of the iREC reporting program, a unique access ID and the reporting deadline is printed on each adult licence. A report must be completed even if you did not fish during your reporting period, and also if you fished, even if you caught nothing. iREC reports are used to estimate recreational effort and kept and released catches of finfish and shellfish. For further information see FN0330 or contact the Sport Fishing Report Team at DFO.SportFishingReport-RapportPecheSportive.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. In May, the Government of Canada shared the 2024 and 2025  management measures to be implemented this spring and 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, and a voluntary speed reduction zone in Tumbo Channel. 

For more information about the 2024 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, 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: 1-800-465-4336 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 (i.e. leatherback), the location and time of sighting. 

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: 

For more information, please contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0665
Sent July 12, 2024 at 1503

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