Fishery Notice

This notice provides information on planned fisheries management measures for the recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales that will be in place from 00:01 hours August 1 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2021 for Strait of Juan De Fuca and from 00:01 hours July 16, 2021 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2021 for Swiftsure Bank.

For management measures for Fraser Chinook stocks Southern British Columbia, please reference https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2020/06/government-of-canada-takes-action-to-address-threats-to-struggling-fraser-river-chinook.html

Juan de Fuca Strait:
 
In Subareas 20-3 and 20-4, there will be no fishing for salmon (including Recreational and Commercial fisheries) from August 1, 2021 until October 31, 2021.

Swiftsure Bank:

In a portion of Subarea 121-1 inside a line drawn from Bonilla Point Light at 48°35.732' N and 124°43.063' W, then southwesterly to a point at 48°29.618' N latitude and 124°43.553' W, then northwesterly to a point at 48°34.000' N and 124°54.200' W, then northeasterly back to the point of commencement, there will be no fishing for salmon (including Recreational and Commercial fisheries) from July 16, 2021 until October 31, 2021.

In addition, all fishing is prohibited (with some exceptions) from June 1, 2021 until November 30, 2021 in the Interim Sanctuary Zones located in portions of Subareas 121-1 and 121-2 (Swiftsure Bank), portions of Subareas 18-5 and 18-11 (Saturna Island), and a portion of Subarea 18-4 (Pender Island). More information on these areas can be found in Fisheries Notice FN0519. 

Variation Order: 2021-RCT-371


The Southern Resident Killer Whale population is small and declining, with only 75 remaining, and is exposed to a number of anthropogenic threats, including underwater noise and disturbance from vessels. Given the imminent threats whales are facing, the Government is also asking vessel operators to respect the following voluntary measures:

- Stop fishing (do not haul gear) within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass;

- Respect a "Go Slow" zone around whales by reducing speed to less than 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of a marine mammal; and

- Reduce noise by turning echo sounders and fish finders off when not in use, and turning engines to neutral idle when within 400 metres of a killer whale.

For further information on the suite of Southern Resident Killer Whale 
mandatory and voluntary management measures, please visit: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/mammals-mammiferes/whales-baleines/srkw-measures-mesures-ers-eng.html 


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Marine Mammal Team 
DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0664
Sent July 9, 2021 at 0913

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 25, 2024 at 1510