Fishery Notice

This fishery is a limited entry and limited effort fishery. The following 2 
vessels were selected by the Area D Harvest Committee using the random draw 
lists developed for the Kyuquot and Esperanza fisheries (see FN0939) to 
participate in this opening:

1. PROCRASTINATOR - 28089
2. GLENNORA III - 26933

This opening will be closed on short notice if any vessel, other than those 
listed above, attempt to participate in this fishery.

Gill nets open daily for 10.5 hours from 08:00 hours to 18:30 hours October 2, 
and 5 hours from 08:00 hours to 13:00 hours October 3, 2019, in the following 
areas:

A portion of Subarea 25-6 southerly of a line commencing from point on the 
shore of Nootka Island located at 49 degrees 39.066 minutes north and 126 
degrees 37.384 minutes west to 49 degrees 39.688 minutes north and 126 degrees 
36.796 minutes west at or near the navigation light at Boston Point then to the 
southern tip of the largest Villaverde Island (49 degrees 39.729 minutes north 
and 126 degrees 34.892 minutes west) then to the western shore of Bligh Island 
(49 degrees 39.011 minutes north and 126 degrees 33.182 minutes west);

and subarea 25-7.

The target species is Chum. Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink and Steelhead may not 
be retained. 

Maximum gill net length is 375 m. Minimum mesh-size is 149 mm (5-7/8 inches). 
Maximum depth is 60 meshes. Maximum hang ratio is 3:1, cork-line to web 
distance minimum is 0 cm, maximum is 2 m. 

Variation Order Numbers: 2019-Sal-25-GN-15 and 2019-Sal-25-GN-16


Catch rates from the first week's fishery in Nootka Sound were low and 
consistent with the low pre-season forecast. Fishery results and current 
escapements were reviewed with the Area 25 Roundtable and next week's opening 
is proceeding for the assessment value. Expanded fishing opportunities are not 
being considered for next week and would be inconsistent with the available 
information to date. 

This fishery is designed as a Stage 1 assessment fishery to provide in-season 
assessment information on the Nootka Sound Chum return. Vessel masters please 
note that future fishing opportunities will depend on timely catch reporting, 
as per the conditions of licence. In addition, a special set log is required to 
be completed and submitted to DFO separately. Vessels masters are also 
requested to help coordinate DFO's biological sampling of the catch. 

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.

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. As such, Canada 
has committed to updating license conditions for all marine commercial and 
First Nation economic fisheries to include reporting requirements for 
interactions with marine mammals. The link to the online National form and 
instructions for filling in and reporting can be found here: 
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-
rapport/page01-eng.html. For more information, please see FN0388.

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 isn't 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. 

Fishers are advised to notify local DFO managers or patrol vessels to report 
abandoned, lost, or entangled gear. A local diver has volunteered to remove the 
nets at no charge.

The 24 hour toll-free phone-in line for fisheries notices is 1-866-431-3474.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lindsay Reed, Resource Manager, Port Alberni (250) 720 4468

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1002
Sent September 27, 2019 at 1324

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