Fishery Notice

The finfish closure in part of Alberni Inlet (portions of Subarea 23-1 and Subarea 23-2 and 23-3) implemented on June 4, 2020 as outlined in FN 0506 has been lifted.  

Effective 00:01 hours July 1, 2020 until further notice the daily quota for the tidal recreational fishery for sockeye salmon will be two sockeye per day in the 
following area:

that portion of Subareas 23-1 to 23-11 from a line in Alberni Harbour near the mouth of the Somass River beginning at a boundary sign Located at 49 degrees 14.190 
north latitude and 124 degrees 50.230 west longitude then through the southernmost point of Hoik Island then to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass 
River then due east to a boundary sign on the opposite shore then Seaward to the surfline (Cape Beale to Amphitrite Point) except for the following closed area;

The area known as Uchucklesit Inlet will close to angling for all finfish - effective 00:01 hours June 30 until 23:59 hours October 31,2019 this includes that portion 
of Subarea 23-3 northwest of a line between boundary signs at Brooksby Point and Burroughs Point. 

Effective daily from 05:00 hours to 22:00 hours from July 1 until July 23, 2020 the daily quota for sockeye salmon shall be two per day in the following area;

The tidal portion of the Somass River described as that portion of Subarea 23-1 from the tidal boundary signs at Paper Mill Dam on the Somass River downstream to a 
line commencing at a boundary sign in upper Alberni Harbour situated at 49°14.19 north latitude and 124°50.23 west longitude then through the southernmost point of 
Hoik Island then to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River, then due east to a boundary sign on the opposite shore except for the following closed 
area;

The area known as Paper Mill Dam Pool will remain closed to angling for all finfish. It Includes that portion of 23-1 in the Somass River from signs located near the 
bottom of the rapids immediately north of Paper Mill Dam Pool, then downstream to boundary signs located on both sides of the Somass River approximately 60 metres 
downstream from the northern tip of the unnamed island directly below Paper Mill Dam Pool.

Variation Order: # 2020-RFQ-342, # 2020-RCT-343


On June 25, the Area 23 Roundtable met and agreed to proceed cautiously and delay potential fishery openings until next week due to uncertainties around run timing and 
test fishery estimates. An extra meeting was scheduled on Monday June 29 to review escapements and test fishery data to see if they remain consistent with an upgraded 
run size. If so, it is expected that fisheries will proceed early next week starting with treaty and FSC fisheries followed by recreational and Area D commercial 
openings later in the week.

On June 29, 2020 Department staff met with the Area 23 Harvest Committee to discuss fishery planning for Area 23 Somass Sockeye. The attendees at this meeting were 
representatives from the Tseshaht, Hupacasath and Maa-nulth First Nations and stakeholders from the commercial gillnet and seine fishery, and the Alberni Valley Sport 
Fishing Advisory Committee.  The Somass Sockeye run size was confirmed at 250,000 at this run size fisheries will open this week for First Nations, recreational, and 
Area D Gillnet.
 
The Somass Sockeye in-season stock assessment program will be in place in 2020. This program collects escapement, test fishing, catch and environmental information on 
a weekly basis.  This information is collected and a reforecast will be made weekly every Thursday for the duration of the season.  This may lead to further 
recreational sockeye opportunities if conditions warrant.


Notes:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal waters of British Columbia.  

The term "marked" means a hatchery fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and coho 
salmon.  Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for coast-wide stock assessment.  Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at (866) 
483-9994 for further information.

Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures and other recreational fishing information.

Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licences can be purchased via any computer connected to the internet at 
https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm 
or by using Google search key words "Recfish Licence".

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).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
 
Contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Port Alberni office at 250 720 4440 or visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0617
Sent June 30, 2020 at 1623

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 9, 2024 at 1327