Fishery Notice

The commercial fishing plan for the Special Use fishery was circulated with the 2025/2026 Pacific Herring Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for review from October 17 to November 17, 2025. Thank you to those that submitted advice and recommendations for the plan during this period. 

As per Variation Orders #2025-504 and #2025-505, the Special Use fishery will open to fishing at 16:00 hours on November 28, 2025 until February 15, 2026. The total allocation for the 2025/26 Special Use fishery is 902 short tons. Fishing is permitted in the following open areas:

Area 12, excluding:
That portion of Subarea 12-4 inside a line running from Lewis Point to Ella Point [Beaver Cove]

Subarea 12-20 [Parson Bay]

Subarea 12-3 (portion). From a point on shore due north to a point at 50°30.33' N 126°37.47' W then east to a point at 50°29.65' N 126°30.23' W then due south to the shoreline [Robson Bight - Michael Bigg Ecological Reserve]

Area 13, excluding:

That portion of Subarea 13-7, east of a line drawn from a boundary sign at 50°11.434'N 125°20.268'W to a boundary sign at 50°10.861' N 125°20.885' W near Separation Head on Quadra Island [Deepwater Bay]

Area 14, excluding:

Subarea 14-14 [Comox Harbour]

Area 16, excluding:

Subarea 16-3 [Bargain Bay]

Subarea 16-4 [Pender Harbour]

Subarea 16-5 [portion of Sechelt Inlet]

That portion of Subarea 16-10 within a radius of 0.3 nautical miles from the mouth of Sakinaw River.

Area 17, excluding:

Subareas 17-1 to 17-9

The waters of Gabriola Pass described as portions of Subareas 17-10 and 17-17 bounded by a line from Dibuxante Point at 49°07.625'N 123°42.913'W on Valdes Island, thence following the northerly shore of Valdes Island to Cordero Point at 49°07.700?N and 123°42.126?W on Valdes Island, thence to the most southerly tip of Breakwater Island at 49°07.546?N and 123°40.897?W, thence following the westerly shore of Breakwater Island to the most northerly point on Breakwater Island at 49°08.360'N 123°40.872'W, thence due west to Gabriola Island at 49°08.355'N 123°41.4770'W, thence following the southerly shore of Gabriola Island to the point of land located at 49°07.777'N 123°43.045'W, thence in a straight line southerly to the point of commencement at Dibuxante Point [Gabriola Pass];

Subarea 17-14 [Nanaimo Harbour]

That portion of Subarea 17-16 south of a line at Dodd Narrows, drawn from Joan Point at 49°08.150'N 123°49.145'W on Vancouver Island easterly to Purvis Point at 49°08.174'N 123°49.016'W on Mudge Island.

Subarea 17-17

Subarea 17-20 [Nanoose Harbour]

ELECTRONIC MONITORING:

In 2020/2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, an electronic monitoring program was implemented as an alternative to at sea observers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The electronic monitoring program will continue to be offered during the 2025/2026 fishing season, and will include the use of video and electronic monitoring systems on board vessels. Please note: arrangements for at-sea observer services or EM installation shall be made by contacting the service provider at 604-291-6340 (between 08:00 h and 16:00 h, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays) at least 72 hours in advance of the intended time of departing port.

Licence holders and vessel masters are advised to fully review the licence conditions that address EM requirements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Hong Tjhie, 236-330-3240 or hong.tjhie@dfo-mpo.gc.ca	

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1265
Sent November 28, 2025 at 1526

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 18, 2026 at 0159