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 will open October 22, 2019 at 00:01 hours until, November 2, 
2019  at 23:59 hours.


Chinook, Coho, Chum, Pink, Halibut, rockfish, Lingcod and Dogfish may be 
retained. Retention of Sockeye is prohibited.

The following Court Defined Fishing Area is open for groundfish and salmon 
(except Chinook and wild Coho):
 
- 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 fishery is open for wild Coho in those portions of Areas 24-1 to 24-14, 
25-1 to 25-13, 25-16, and 26-1 that are described in the Court Defined Fishing 
Area above.
 

3.  The fishery is open for Chinook in those portions  of Areas 24, 25, 26, 
124, 125 and 126 described in the Court Defined Fishing Area above which are 
shoreward of the Boundary Line approximately 1 nm seaward of the surfline 
described as:
A line that begins at Pacheena 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.


2) Excluded Rockfish Conservation Areas are:

a) 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 (Estevan Point - Chart 3603);

b) 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(Vargas Island 
to Dunlap Island - Chart 3603) and;

c) 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 (West of Bajo Reef - Chart 3604).

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 directing on 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.  Transferring of 
catch from one vessel to anther that exceeds the trip limit or vessel cap must 
receive advance permission from the vessel master's 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 Halibut retained for sale must be tagged by a dockside observer prior to 
sale.

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. Five Nations' dockside observers will be sampling Chinook 
(and coho when applicable) for coded-wire tags as required at the Tofino 
designated landing sites. J.O. Thomas and Associates' dockside observers will 
be sampling Chinook (and coho when applicable) for coded-wire tags as required 
at the Zeballos designated landing site.

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).

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call 
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line 
at (800) 465-4336.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-(866)431-
FISH(3474).

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 caught in fishing 
gear 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lindsay Gardner, Sablefish, Hook and Line Coordinator, Groundfish Management 
Unit.  604-666-0912

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1089
Sent October 21, 2019 at 1433

Return to Main Menu

Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on March 8, 2026 at 0420