Fishery Notice

Recent escapement estimates have been increasing for the mid Vancouver Island 
chum stocks on the Puntledge, Little Qualicum and Big Qualicum Rivers.  Current 
estimates are tracking at pre-season forecast levels which predict a moderate 
surplus of chum to these systems.

Gill nets will open for 50 hours from 08:00 hours Monday, November 2, to 10:00 
hours Wednesday, November 4, 2015 in the following areas:

Subareas 14-4 and 14-5 seaward of 1.0 nautical mile from the Vancouver Island 
shore;

Subareas 14-7, 14-9, 14-10 and;

That portion of Subarea 14-11 outside the Comox Bar, north easterly of a line 
from Longbeak Point on Denman Island, to a fishing boundary sign on Willemar 
Bluffs. 

There is a half-mile radius boundary in effect at the mouth of Fillongly Creek 
in Subarea 14-10.

The minimum mesh size is 149 mm (5 and 7/8 in). The maximum net depth is 90 
meshes. The maximum hang ratio 3:1. Corkline to web distance minimum 0 cm 
maximum 2 m.

The target species in this fishery is chum salmon, the incidental catch of pink 
salmon may be retained in the areas open to fishing. There will be non-
retention of sockeye, coho, chinook, and steelhead.

Variation Order 2015-SAL-14-GN-01


All planned fisheries are subject to change with updated in-season assessment 
information and weather constraints. Harvesters should contact their Area 
Harvest Committee representatives for updated information. 

PLEASE NOTE:

Please note that all Salmon Gill Net fisheries have new requirements for 
recording and reporting.  See FN0482 and FN0579 outlining these changes for 
Area D fishers.  Refer to your 2015/2016 conditions of licence for complete 
changes.

Fishers are reminded it is an offence under Section 7 of the Marine Mammals 
Regulations to disturb marine mammals. Fishers are advised to follow the Be 
Whale Wise: Marine Wildlife Guidelines for Boaters, Paddlers and Viewers (BWW) 
which are available from local Fisheries Offices or on-line at 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/view-
observer-eng.htm to avoid disturbing local killer whales and other marine 
mammals.

Fishers are requested to avoid fishing among birds and not to run the line if 
birds are near the net.  Fishers are requested to retain all dead birds which 
are entangled and to release live and unharmed birds by placing them in the 
water.  Please check all birds for metal bird bands (rings) on the leg.  If a 
bird is banded please contact Laurie Wilson with the band number and capture 
date and location at 1 866-431-2473 (BIRD) or by the email below.  Handle birds 
with gloves, double bag dead birds and label each bird with date, time, and 
location and store them on ice.  Please call your local patrol vessel to 
organize pick-up or drop them off at a local DFO office.  Alternatively, please 
send photographs of birds with a reference object such as a coin, and the date, 
time and location to laurie.wilson@ec.gc.ca.  Your names and vessel names do 
not need to be identified or included.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is interested in reports of sea turtles in BC 
waters. By documenting sightings we are able to learn more about how, when and 
where these turtles are using our waters. If you see or entangle 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 type of sea turtle seen (e.g. 
leatherback), the location, time of sighting and if entanglement has occurred.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Bryan Rusch
250-756-7294

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1218
Sent October 29, 2015 at 1523

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