Fishery Notice

The Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Tla-o-qui-aht 
First Nations (Five Nations) Communal Sale Fishery for salmon and groundfish by 
hook and line by trolling, rod and reel and handline will re-open from 00:01 
hours on September 11, until further notice.

1) The following Court-Defined Area is open to the retention of lingcod, 
rockfish, non-quota groundfish species, and dogfish, except in closed areas 
(defined in (3)):

Those waters of Subareas 24-1 to 24-14, 25-1 to 25-13, 25-15, 25-16, 26-1, 124-
1 to 124-4, 125-1 to 125-5, 126-1, 126-2, bounded by a line commencing at 49°
55.428' N and 127°12.185' W (Porritt Creek), westerly to a point at 49°55.523' 
N and 127°15.338' W (Grassy Island), then southwesterly to a point at 49° 
48.213' N and 127°25.125' W (within Subarea 126-2), then southeasterly to a 
point at 49°47.167' N and 127°23.161' W, then northeasterly to a point at 49°
55.15' N and 127°12.469' W (within Subarea 26-1), then southeasterly to a point 
at 49°54.425' N and 127°12.156' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°53.939' 
N and 127°11.837' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°53.394' N and 127°
11.282' W (Tatchu Rocks), then southeasterly to a point at 49°52.781' N and 
127° 0.964' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°51.458' N and 127°09.546' W 
(near Tatchu Point), then easterly to a point 49°51.131' N and 127°08.198' W 
(within Subarea 25-13), then easterly to a point 49°51.073' N and 127°07.599' W 
(High Rocks), then easterly to a point at 49°51.122' N and 127°07.027' W, then 
easterly to a point at 49°51.37' N and 127°05.634' W, then easterly to a point 
at 49°51.390' N and 127°04.510' W, then easterly to a point at 49°50.559' N and 
126°59.95' W (Double Island), then easterly to a point at 49°50.553' N and 126°
58.915' W, then easterly to a point at 49°51.417' N and 126°55.452' W, then 
easterly to a point at 49° 52.077' N and 126° 50.679' W, then northeasterly to 
a point at 49°53.496' N and 126°47.91' W (Subarea 25-9), then easterly to a 
point at 49°53.579' N and 126°47.333' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°
53.425' N and 126°46.796' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°52.269' N and 
126°45.407' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°51.957' N and 126°44.857' W, 
then easterly to a point at 49°51.871' N and 126° 44.458' W, then easterly to a 
point at 49°51.97' N and 126°43.609' W, then northeasterly to a point at 49°
52.072' N and 126°43.497' W, then easterly to a point at 49°52.078' N and 126°
43.221' W, then easterly to a point at 49°52.026' N and 126°42.917' W, then 
southeasterly to a point at 49°51.775' N and 126°42.516' W, then easterly to a 
point at 49°51.644' N and 126°41.072' W, then easterly to a point at 49°51.637' 
N and 126°40.721' W then southeasterly to 49°51.512' N and 126°40.476' W, then 
southerly to a point at 49° 51.438' N and 126° 40.475' W, then southerly and 
westerly following along the shoreline of Nootka Island to a point at 49°
39.562' N and 126°50.683' W (Calvin Creek), then southwesterly to a point at 49°
31.844'N and 127°01.427' W (Subarea 125-5), then southeasterly to a point at 49°
21.283' N and 126°49.027' W (within Subarea 125-5), then southeasterly to a 
point at 49°18.344' N and 126°45.585' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°
16.641' N and 126°43.409' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°15.956' N and 
126°42.386' W, then southeasterly to a point at 49°15.250' N and 126°41.054' W 
(within Subarea 
124-4), then southeasterly to a point at 49°12.233' N and 126°34.324' W (within 
Subarea 124-3), then southeasterly to a point at 49°00.323' N and 126°07.711' W 
(within Subarea 124-3), then southeasterly to a point at 48°54.451' N and 125°
53.981' W (within Subarea 124-1), then northeasterly to a point at 49°02.307' N 
and 125°43.228' W (Seal Rocks within Subarea 124-3), then easterly to a point 
at 49°02.340' N and 125°41.631' W (Long Beach), then following the shoreline 
back to the point of commencement.

2) The following areas within the Court-Defined Area are open to the retention 
of hatchery-marked Coho (up to 1,200 pieces), Pink and Chum salmon, except in 
closed areas 
(defined in (3)): 
     a) Areas 124, 125 and 126, seaward of a boundary line located 
approximately 1 nm seaward of the surfline described as: 

A line that begins at Pachena Point lighthouse at 48 degrees 43.327' N 125 
degrees 05.855' W, then to 48 degrees 42.456' N 125 degrees 06.583' W seaward 
of Pachena Point, then to 48 degrees 46.420' N 125 degrees 13.997' W seaward of 
Cape Beale, then to 48 degrees 54.572' N 125 degrees 33.622' W seaward of 
Amphitrite Point, then to 49 degrees 05.100' N 125 degrees 54.646' W seaward of 
Cox Point, then to 49 degrees 10.280' N 126 degrees 04.790' W seaward of 
Blunden Island, then to 49 degrees 16.472' N 126 degrees 15.140' W seaward of 
Rafael Point, then to 49 degrees 20.008' N 126 degrees 17.188' W seaward of 
Sydney Inlet, then to 49 degrees 23.807' N 126 degrees 24.483' W seaward of 
Hesquiat Point, then to 49 degrees 21.620' N 126 degrees 28.478' W seaward of 
Matlahaw Point, then to 49 degrees 22.113' N 126 degrees 33.508' W seaward of 
Estevan Point, then to 49 degrees 23.869' N 126 degrees 35.333' W seaward of 
Homais Cove, then to 49 degrees 27.766' N 126 degrees 35.971' W seaward of 
Split Cape, then to 49 degrees 31.494' N 126 degrees 35.669' W seaward of 
Escalante Point, then to 49 degrees 34.042' N 126 degrees 41.611' W seaward of 
Maquinna Point, then to 49 degrees 36.254' N 126 degrees 50.538' W seaward of 
Bajo Point, then to 49 degrees 39.892' N 126 degrees 55.125' W seaward of Skuna 
Bay, then to 49 degrees 44.400' N 127 degrees 00.289' W seaward of Ferrer 
Point, then to 49 degrees 50.767' N 127 degrees 10.151' W seaward of Tatchu 
Point, then to 49 degrees 59.142' N 127 degrees 28.125' W seaward of Lookout 
Island, then to 50 degrees 06.948' N 127 degrees 41.617' W seaward of Jackobson 
Point, then to 50 degrees 03.599' N 127 degrees 47.722' W seaward of Clerke 
Point, then to 50 degrees 05.868' N 127 degrees 57.906' W seaward of Solander 
Island, then to 50 degrees 19.284' N 128 degrees 00.130' W seaward of Lawn 
Point, and then to 50 degrees 31.501' N 128 degrees 14.238' W seaward of 
Topknot Point.

3) The following Rockfish Conservation Areas and West Coast Vancouver Island 
(WCVI) Chinook protection areas are closed to fishing:
     a) Rockfish Conservation Areas:
          i) Estevan Point - Those portions of Subareas 24-1, 124-3, 124-4, 125-
1, 125-2 and 125-5 that lie inside of a line that begins at 49°23.526'N 126°
27.818'W north of Matlahaw Point then to 49°19.500'N 126°23.900'W in water then 
to 49°17.000'N 126°31.200'W in water then to 49°22.100'N 126°44.700'W in water 
then to 49°25.067'N 126°34.598'W Hesquiat Peninsula then following the 
southerly shore of Hesquiat Peninsula to the beginning point;
          ii) Vargas Island to Dunlap Island - That portion of Subarea 24-6 
that lies inside a line that begins at 49°13.560'N 125°57.887'W in water then 
through Morfee Island to 49°13.300'N 125°56.750'W Dunlap Island then following 
the westerly shoreline of Dunlap Island to 49°12.941'N 125°56.373'W Dunlap 
Island then to 49°12.100'N 125°57.048'W Vargas Island then westerly following 
the shoreline of Vargas Island to 49°12.600'N 125°58.132'W Vargas Island then 
to the beginning point.
          iii) West of Bajo Reef - Those portions of Subareas 125-2 and 125-3 
that lie inside a line that begins at 49°37.900'N 127°01.111'W in water then to 
49°37.900'N 126°52.600'W in water then to 49°33.500'N 126°52.600'W in water 
then to the beginning point.
          iv) Bedwell Sound - Those waters of Bedwell Sound in Subarea 24-7 
that lie southerly of the parallel passing through 49°20.000' north latitude 
and northerly of the parallel passing through 49°15.600' north latitude.
          v) Saranac Island - In Subarea 24-7, those waters that lie inside a 
line that begins at 49°15.500'N 125°55.621'W (north of Hecate Bay), then to 49°
15.500'N 125°52.021'W (Vancouver Island), then easterly following the shoreline 
to the intersection with the meridian passing through 125°51.450' west 
longitude, then true south to the intersection with the shoreline of Meares 
Island, then westerly following the shoreline of Meares Island to 49°14.100'N 
125°53.926'W (north of Ritchie Bay), then to 49°14.725'N 125°56.182'W (Kraan 
Head), then northerly following the shoreline to the beginning point.

     b) WCVI Chinook protection areas:
          i) Outer Nootka Island - Those portions of the CDA in PFMA 125 that 
are shoreward of a line beginning at 49°44.965'N and 127°01.823'W (located 
approximately 1.9 nautical miles west of Ferrer Point), then southeasterly 
approximately 13 nautical miles to a point located at 49°37.900'N and 126°
52.600'W, then southwesterly to a point at 49°33.500'N and 126°52.600'W, then 
to the Red Can Buoy located at 49°33.806'N and 126°49.976'W then to a point 
located approximately 2 nautical miles east at 49°34.125'N and 126°46.942'W, 
then to the Nootka Island shoreline at a point located near Beano Creek at 49°
36.341'N and 126°45.141'W. The Bajo Reef RCA is located adjacent to this closed 
area
          ii) Hesquiaht - That portion of Subareas 25-7, 125-1 and 125-2 inside 
a line beginning at a point on Vancouver Island at 49°33.445'N and 126°33.845'W 
(north of Escalante Point), then westerly to a point approximately 1 nautical 
mile offshore located at 49°33.445'N and 126°35.967'W, then southerly 
approximately 8.8 nautical miles to a point intersecting the Estevan Point RCA 
boundary located at 49°24.688'N and 126°35.593'W, then to a point on Vancouver 
Island (on Hesquiat Peninsula) at 49°25.067'N and 126°34.598'W.

Retention of Sockeye is prohibited.

All rockfish encountered in this fishery must be retained. Non-quota groundfish 
species are subject to the following trip limits (in round pounds): 
"	"Other rockfish," including Bocaccio: 100 pounds
"	Bocaccio: 25 pounds
"	Pacific Cod: 100 pounds
"	Sole and flounder: no limit

When targeting salmon species, barbless hooks will be required in order to 
improve survivals of released non-target or undersize salmon species.

All harvesters must file a start fishing report (hail out) prior to 
participating in the fishery by calling or texting 250-266-0418 or emailing 
hail@taaqwiihak.ca or completing the report online at www.taaq.ca.

A vessel designated to harvest fish shall be identified by a T'aaq-wiihak decal 
number and a T'aaq-wiihak flag. The T'aaq-wiihak flag shall be mounted as high 
as practical and be clearly visible, legible and unobstructed.  Individuals who 
fish under authority of the licence shall carry documentation to establish 
their identity as Participants (T'aaq-wiihak Card) and membership in one of 
Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, and Tla-o-qui-aht First 
Nations while participating in the fishery and while transporting fish 
harvested in the fishery, and will present such documentation on request by any 
fishery officer or fishery guardian.

All fish caught in this fishery are to be landed at the designated landing 
sites: 
Zeballos Government Dock/Mid-Island Ice;
Lions Gate Fisheries dock, Tofino;
Fourth Street Dock, Tofino; and
Ahminaquis Boat Launch, Gold River.

Transferring of catch from one vessel to another is permitted provided the 
transfer does not exceed the trip limit or the vessel cap. When transferring 
catch from one vessel to anther that exceeds the trip limit or vessel cap, the 
vessel master must receive advance permission from the First Nation's Fishery 
Manager for the transfer to be authorized. 

All vessel masters must obtain a Landing Slip in order to sell any fish caught 
in the fishery. All fish sold in this fishery must be accompanied by a Sales 
Slip. 

All fish retained will be validated by dockside observers. Harvesters must 
permit dockside observers access to their catch at landing sites for the 
validation procedure. 

Vessel masters will maintain a logbook and submit a completed report to the 
dockside observer at each landing. Landing slips will not be issued by the 
dockside observers without the submission of completed logbook reports. 

Vessel masters are reminded to refer to the communal licence authorizing this 
fishery for complete details. Copies of the licence are available from the DFO 
Resource Manager, Lindsay Reed (250 720 4468) and the T'aaq-wiihak Fisheries 
Manager, Alex Gagne (250-725-3899).

Lost fishing gear shall be reported within 24 hours of determining that gear 
has been lost to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by completing and submitting the 
Lost Fishing Gear form available online at 
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/index-
eng.html. For more information, refer to your area conditions of licence.

As of June 1st, vessels throughout the critical habitat of the Southern 
Resident killer whale, including recreational boats and commercial vessels, 
will be required to stay at least 400 metres away from all killer whales. 
Vessels are also asked to reduce their speed to less than 7 knots if they are 
within 1,000 metres of killer whales in certain areas, and to turn off their 
echo sounders and turn engines to neutral idle if a whale is within 400 metres.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is monitoring seabird by-catch to 
determine potential impact on bird populations under current fishing effort and 
bird numbers. Fishers are requested to submit all dead birds entangled in nets 
to ECCC for species confirmation and DNA analysis to determine the colony of 
origin.

Please call your local charter patrol to organize pick-up, drop carcasses off 
at a local DFO office, or contact ECCC directly by calling the Wild Bird 
Mortality Reporting Line 1-866-431-2473 (BIRD). Handle birds with gloves, 
double bag dead birds. Label bag with date, time, location, fishery opening and 
vessel name (Skipper name is not needed). Alternatively, please send 
photographs of birds with a reference object such as a coin, and the date, 
time, location, fishery opening and vessel name to laurie.wilson@canada.ca. 
Questions: contact Laurie Wilson (laurie.wilson@canada.ca, 604-862-8817).

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 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 (i.e. leatherback), the 
location, and time of sighting. 
       
Fishers should be advised that whales can be encountered in the fishing area. 
Fishers should take precautionary measures to avoid fishing near whales to 
avoid potential contact with fishing gear. If a whale 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 whale of 
the fishing gear as this can pose a serious threat to the safety of the fisher 
and the animal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lindsay Reed, Resource Manager, Nanaimo (250) 720-4468

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0904
Sent September 10, 2019 at 1158

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on December 15, 2025 at 1600