Fishery Notice

DATE: March 15, 2019  

WCVI

The most recent herring spawn flight was conducted on March 13, covering Area 
23 - 25.  In Area 23, the spawn in Ucluelet Inlet has completed, and spawn was 
observed off Salmon Beach.  No spawn was observed in Area 24, though very high 
numbers of sea lions were present in Hesquiaht Harbour.  In Area 25, small spot-
spawns were observed in Nootka Sound, near Plumper Bay, Villaverde Islands, and 
Yuquot. No spawn was observed in Esperanza Inlet.

The next possible overflight is Monday March 18, weather permitting. 

Dive teams are standing down for the weekend, waiting for improved weather.  

First Nation contractors continue to conduct herring spawn reconnaissance, 
supplemental surface spawn surveys and FSC catch monitoring on the west coast 
of Vancouver Island in:
Area 23 
Area 24
Area 25 

The test boat has completed its duties for this year. Results are below:
Area 23 Barkley Sound: 6500 tonnes observed
Area 24 Clayoquot Sound: 1000 tonnes observed
Area 25 Nootka Sound: 8000 tonnes observed
Area 25 Esperanza Inlet: 2600 tonnes observed

TOTAL WCVI: 18,100 tonnes

Please note: 

The primary objective of the herring test seine vessel program is to collect 
herring biological samples from Areas 23-25 for stock assessment purposes (e.g. 
size of fish, age distribution of fish in each sample).  Herring stock 
locations and estimates are collected as part of the stock assessment program 
to locate herring stocks in as part of the sampling process to collect the 
biological samples, and do not cover all areas.  The tonnage of stocks for each 
area provided in this notice are in season estimates only, and do not reflect 
the biomass of stocks in the area.  The estimates of stock biomass will be 
provided in the analysis which will be undertaken in the post season period, 
following the collection of biological samples as well as herring spawn 
distribution and abundance data. 

The vessel selected to collect biological samples for herring stock assessment 
in 2019 is the F/V Proud Canadian with skipper Philip Dupuis.  The test vessel 
operated on WCVI for 20 days in 2019.  No fish were retained for sale.	

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Ryan O'Connell DFO Nanaimo 250 756 7160

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0223
Sent March 15, 2019 at 1415

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