Fishery Notice

This is a limited Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) fishing opportunity developed in collaboration with South Coast First Nations designed to access a limited total allowable catch. 

Effective 00:01h on August 01, to 23:59 August 04, 2025, Sockeye retention is permitted in First Nations FSC fisheries in the following Areas:  Areas 11 to 17, 19 to 21, 28, 111, 121, 123 to 127 and Subareas 26-11, 27-4, 27-6  

Effective 00:01 August 2 to 23:59 August 04, 2025, Sockeye retention is permitted in First Nations FSC Fisheries in the following Areas: Area 18 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-6

The retention of Sockeye will be permitted in FSC fisheries consistent with Nations' approved fishing plans that include details such as designated vessels, fishing effort, skippers, monitoring plans, and target harvest levels. This opening will be closely monitored for compliance with fishing plans and may close on short notice to stay within allowable harvest levels. This measure is essential for providing harvest opportunities to accommodate Indigenous rights in an orderly and manageable fishery. 

The window closure to protect Early Stuart and early-timed Early Summer Fraser River Sockeye ended on July 28 in Areas 11-17, 19-21, 28, 111, 121, 123 to 127, as well as Subareas 26-11, 27-7, 27-6.  In Areas 18 and 29, the closure will end on August 2.

Fraser River Sockeye are managed using in-season data, including test fishing catches, hydroacoustic estimates at Mission, biological sampling, catch reporting, and environmental indicators such as water temperature and discharge levels in the Fraser River.

The Fraser River Panel convened on July 29, 2025, to review the status of the Fraser Sockeye migration and river conditions. The current run size estimate of Early Summer and Summer Sockeye management groups is 221,000 and 2,136,000 respectively based on preseason forecast.  

While these run sizes allow for a limited total allowable catch, they are insufficient to support a full opportunity for South Coast marine FSC fisheries.

The Department is requesting daily reporting to more closely track harvest levels given the value of catch information for in-season assessment and uncertainties in the return at this time.  

Variation Order number VO# 2025-211 is revoked
Variation Order number VO# 2025-285 is invoked
Variation Order number VO# 2025-308 is invoked 

NOTES AND 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. 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 2025 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:
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 - FN0746
Sent August 1, 2025 at 0932

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on June 13, 2026 at 0507