Fishery Notice

Area 4 Selective Gill Net Fishery

Gill nets open 06:00 hours to 22:00 hours, August 6, 2020 in subarea 4-5, 4-8, 4-9 east of a line running from Morrell Pt to South Rachel Island Light to the flashing red light on Lucy Island thence true north to the 4-5 boundary, thence to Ryan Pt, 4-12 and 4-15. 

Max mesh 137 mm, max depth 60 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 0 cm, max 45 cm; or, max depth 90 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 0.76 m, max 1.5 m.  

Variation order number: 2020-NCSAL-008


In the Area 4 selective gill net fishery, the following rules will be in place:

Half-length nets:

Maximum net length will be 100 fathoms, or 187.5 meters. It will not be acceptable to have a regular length net on your drum and only set half. It will also not be acceptable to have both halves of the net on your drum. Only one (half-length) net will be allowed on your drum or in the water.

20 minute soak times: 

The maximum amount of time the net is allowed to be in the water from the time it is completely set to the time it begins to be retrieved is 20 minutes.  Note that this "soak time" is designed to equal a 40 minute time from when the first portion of the net enters the water to when the last portion of the net leaves the water. Times will be monitored on the grounds.

Fish handling:

Gill net fishers are encouraged to handle prohibited species with the greatest of care. Operating revival boxes are mandatory as in all gill net fisheries. However, if the salmon is in a vigorous condition, it is best to release it directly to the water rather than put it in the revival box. Fishers are asked to use their discretion on which fish should go into the revival box before they are then released to the water.

Reduced fishing area:
 
In order to effectively monitor this selective fishery, the fishing area will be reduced.

The commercial gill net fleet is reminded that the compliance of this selective fishery is critical to their future access to Skeena sockeye.

Extensions and further fishing days will be directly dependant on compliance to the above restrictions.

Retention Rules: 

Gill nets are allowed to retain Sockeye and Pink salmon.

All gillnet fisheries are being conducted with non-retention non-possession of Coho, Chum, Chinook, and Steelhead. Fishermen are required to release all Coho, Chinook, Chum and Steelhead to the water with the least possible harm. Operating revival boxes are mandatory and may be used to revive fish prior to release.

Please note that all salmon gill net fisheries have requirements for recording and reporting. Refer to your 2019/2020 Area C conditions of licence for complete details.

Please note changes to transporting of salmon part III of your conditions of licence for additional details.  Instructions for the Salmon Transfer Log and the Salmon Transfer Log may be found on our web page in section 'Additional Licensing Services Forms' at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/licence-commercial-eng.html

As required by new US comparability requirements, all countries exporting fish and fish products to the United States must record marine mammal interactions in a consistent manner. As such, Canada has committed to updating licence conditions for all marine commercial and First Nation economic fisheries. The link to the online National form and instructions for filling in and reporting can be found here: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/mammals-mammiferes/documents/report/Fish-Harvester-Form-Eng.pdf 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.

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

NOTICE TO ALL GILL NET FISHERS:

Vessel operators are reminded to keep wake and wash to a minimum in Prince Rupert Harbour, Porpoise Harbour and Venn Passage, and specifically the Digby Island and Metlakatla dock areas.

Vessel operators are reminded to display proper navigation lights and have them turned on from sunset to sunrise. Failure to display proper navigation lights is a contravention of the Collision Regulations.

Throughout the fishery opening, on-ground sampling technicians will be randomly collecting salmon bio-samples for stock assessment purposes.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

Fishers are reminded that a mandatory logbook and phone-in program is in place. Note that a phone report is required before starting to fish and for all fishing activity even if no fish are caught. Failure to report zero catches may result in over estimation of total catch. See your conditions of licence for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Corey Martens - 250-600 0392

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0768
Sent August 4, 2020 at 1414

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 26, 2024 at 2336