Fishery Notice

Effective at 00:01 hours Thursday, August 12, 2021, the following management areas will be open to trolling for Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon until further notice:

Those portions of Subareas 1-2, 1-3, 1-7 and that portion of Subarea 1-5 west of a line drawn true north from Skonun Point, outside and seaward of a line drawn one nautical mile parallel to the shorelines of Graham Island and Langara Island (defined at the mean high water mark).

That portion of Subarea 1-5 east of a line running true north from Skonun Point. 

Subareas 101-4, 101-5, 101-8 to 101-10. 

Those portions of Subareas 101-2, 101-3, 101-6 and 101-7 outside and seaward of a line drawn one nautical mile parallel to the shorelines of Graham Island and Langara Island (defined at the mean high water mark). 

Those portions of Subareas 1-1, 101-1, 101-2 and 142-2 that lie outside the Frederick Island Rockfish Conservation Area.  The Frederick Island Rockfish Conservation area is closed to hook and line fisheries within and area that begins at 53 degrees 57.144 minutes north and 133 degrees 07.938 minutes west[Morgan Point], then to 53 degrees 56.246 minutes north and 133 degrees 11.862 minutes west [Hope Point], then true west to 53 degrees 56.246 minutes north and 133 degrees 17.500 minutes west, then to 53 degrees 47.000 minutes north and 133 degrees 10.000 minutes west, then true east to the Graham Island shore at 53 degrees 47.000 minutes north and 133 degrees 7.000 minutes west[Tian Head], and then northerly following the shoreline of Graham Island to the beginning point.  

Subareas 2-48, 2-49, 2-63, 2-68, 2-69, 2-78, 2-79, 2-86, 2-88, 2-92, 2-97 and 2-98.

Those portions of Subareas 2-31, 2-35, 2-38 and 142-1 outside the Strict Protection Areas identified in the Gwaii Haanas Gina 'Waadluxan KilGuhlGa Land-Sea-People Management Plan and north of 51 degrees 57.7 minutes north latitude. Refer descriptions of relevant Strict Protection Areas below. 

GWAII HAANAS GINA 'WAADLUXAN KILGUHLGA 
LAND-SEA-PEOPLE MANAGEMENT PLAN 
Strict Protection Areas within Area 2W and 142

1. Those waters of Subareas 2-38 to 2-41 and 142-1 inside a line commencing at a point on land on T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52 degrees 23.311 minutes north and 131 degrees 35.794 minutes west north-westerly to a point on land on GuuGaalas Gwaay (south Gowdas Islands) at 52 degrees 23.340 minutes north and 131 degrees 35.859 minutes west, thence northerly following the shoreline of GuuGaalas Gwaay (south Gowdas Islands) to 52 degrees 23.489 minutes north and 131 degrees 36.092 minutes west, thence south-westerly to a point in water at 52 degrees 18.982 minutes north and 131 degrees 43.957 minutes west, thence north-westerly to a point in water at 52 degrees 38.114 minutes north and 132 degrees 10.004 minutes west, thence south-easterly to a point on land on T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52 degrees 38.177 minutes north and 131 degrees 56.374 minutes west, and thence southerly following the western shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) to the beginning point.[1. Kun Skuujii sda GawGaay.ya (Kwoon Cove to Gowgaia Bay)]

2. Those waters of Subareas 2-31 and 142-1 inside a line commencing at a point on the western shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52 degrees 07.210 minutes north and 131 degrees 15.838 minutes west easterly following the shoreline to 52 degrees 07.440 minutes north and 131 degrees 14.307 minutes west, thence south-easterly to a point on the northern shoreline of K'il (Flatrock Island) at 52 degrees 06.468 minutes north and 131 degrees 10.300 minutes west, thence easterly following the shoreline to 52 degrees 06.388 minutes north and 131 degrees 10.079 minutes west, thence south-easterly to the westernmost point of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands)at 52 degrees 06.018 minutes north and 131 degrees 09.391 minutes west, thence southerly following the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) to 52 degrees 05.884 minutes north and 131 degrees 09.283 minutes west, thence south-easterly to 52 degrees 05.806 minutes north and 131 degrees 09.208 minutes west, thence easterly following the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) to 52 degrees 05.787 minutes north and 131 degrees
09.097 minutes west, thence north-easterly to the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) at 52 degrees 05.788 minutes north and 131 degrees 08.938 minutes west, thence easterly following the shoreline and thence crossing the channel to 52 degrees 05.778 minutes north and 131 degrees 08.861 minutes west, thence south-easterly following the shoreline to 52 degrees 05.741 minutes north and 131 degrees 08.788 minutes west, thence following the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) to 52 degrees 05.708 minutes north and 131 degrees 08.697 minutes west, thence easterly across the channel to 52 degrees 05.709 minutes north and 131 degrees 08.673 minutes west, thence southerly following the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) to 52 degrees 05.468 minutes north and 131 degrees 08.425 minutes west, thence south-easterly to a point on the western shoreline of Gangxid Gwaay.yaay (Kunghit Island) at 52 degrees 04.414 minutes north and 131 degrees 07.720 minutes west, thence northerly and southerly following the shoreline of Gangxid Gwaay.yaay (Kunghit Island) to 52 degrees 04.366 minutes north and 131 degrees 07.720 minutes west, thence south-westerly to a point in water at 52 degrees 03.175 minutes north and 131 degrees 14.399 minutes west, thence north-westerly to a point in water at 52 degrees 05.826 minutes north and 131 degrees 17.913 minutes west, and thence north-easterly back to the beginning point. [2. SGang Gwaay (Wailing Island)]


Retention of Chinook, Coho and Pink salmon is permitted. Retention of Sockeye salmon, Chum salmon and Steelhead is not permitted.

Variation Order Number#: 2021-NCTR-03 will be in effect beginning at 00:01 hours, August 12, 2021.


Please note the requirements for the ITQ fishery outlined below.  

ITQ Fishery

The total allowable catch (TAC) for this fishery is determined by the Pacific Salmon Commission's Chinook Technical Committee (CTC). The CTC completed calibration CLB2104 of the PSC Chinook Model in early April. This model is used to determine the TAC for the northern B.C. AABM Chinook fishery. The 2021 model forecast has predicted a Chinook Abundance Index of 1.27 which permits the northern BC AABM fishery to catch 153,800 Chinook by Area 1-2 Sport and Area F Troll.
  
The initial Area F individual transferable quota (ITQ) share for Chinook is 0.4608% of the commercial troll TAC of 122,200 Chinook.  At this time, the ITQ in pieces for each Area F vessel is 563 Chinook prior to any quota reallocations that may have been made. The commercial TAC is for the purpose of calculating the individual quota amounts for Area F vessels only and may be revised in-season.

All ITQ transfers made pursuant to Subsection 1(4) of your conditions of licence may be amended in season to reflect the transfer of share to or from another licence holder. This transfer of share shall be assigned a Chinook ITQ Reallocation Confirmation Number certifying completion of a Chinook ITQ reallocation. At all times while at sea, the vessel master shall have on board the licenced vessel, a record of all Chinook ITQ reallocation confirmation numbers provided. The vessel master shall immediately provide these numbers upon demand to a fishery officer, fishery guardian or representative of the Department.

Reallocation amendment forms can be obtained from the Area F Troll Manager, Patrick Fairweather, at 778-361-0582 or patrick.fairweather@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Reallocation forms may be faxed to 250-559-4678 or emailed to patrick.fairweather@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Forms submitted by fax may take up to 3 business days to complete. Note that section 1(c) of the Area F Troll Conditions of Licence stipulates that retention of Chinook is only permitted provided there is sufficient quota on the Area F Licence at the time of capture.  All ITQ reallocation requests received after a fishery closure will be refused.

Vessels retaining Chinook require mandatory dockside validation of all fish landed. Vessel masters must phone JO Thomas & Associates (JOT) at 1-888-624-2646, the day prior to landing, to arrange validation. Calls must be made between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Validations by JOT  will only be conducted at designated landing ports which, in the North Coast will be Masset, Queen Charlotte, Prince Rupert, Port Edward, and in the South Coast will be the greater Vancouver area and Port Hardy. Note: Alternate locations may be considered upon confirmation by the service provider 24 hrs prior to landing.  Trollers should expect additional validation fees should they choose to offload in alternate locations. Please contact JOT directly for details. 

Packers are not permitted to accept fish participating in the Chinook ITQ fishery.


Notes:

1.Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is keeping the health and well-being of all Canadians in mind as we work together in an effort to slow the spread of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please respect the instructions of your local harbour authority to protect your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of harbour users.

2. As per Area F Troll Conditions of Licence, troll vessel operators are required to retain all heads from Chinook and Coho that are caught and retained unless specifically listed as exempted from doing so.  Area F licences exempted from retaining Chinook and Coho heads were listed in FN0602.  Refer to Section 13 in the Conditions of Licence for detailed requirements regarding head retention and delivery.

3. Area F troll vessel masters shall maintain a harvest log of all harvest operations. Please refer to conditions of licence for details. For those vessel masters planning on meeting these conditions using a paper harvest log, arrangements must be made with an authorized service provider (Archipelago Marine Research). Vessel masters may also meet these conditions using an electronic harvest log (E-Log) and shall submit this information by digital transmission to the Salmon Fishery Database in a properly encoded electronic mail message.

4. The 24-hour number for updated troll announcements for the salmon 
season is 1-866-431-3474.

5. Barbless hooks and operating revival tanks are requirements in this fishery.
 
6. Prior to beginning fishing on a fishing trip and not earlier than one week prior to initiating fishing activity, the vessel master shall make and submit a Start Fishing Report.  This report will be submitted to the Salmon Fishery Database by calling the Catch Reporting Service Provider at 1-888-387-0007 or by direct electronic mail message for those vessels using electronic harvest logs.  The report will include the following information:

a) Vessel Name;
b) Vessel registration number;
c) Intended fishing start date;
d) Areas to be fished;
e) Contact phone number;
f) Name of Vessel Master

Please refer to your conditions of licence for other reporting requirements.  

7. Fishers are reminded that Vessel Masters are required to submit End Fishing Reports within 24 hours following the end of a fishing trip or offloading fish and prior to commencing a subsequent fishing trip. Daily Catch reports are required for all fishing activity even if no fish are caught. Failure to report zero catches may result in over estimation of the total catch and premature closure of the fishery. Refer to your Conditions of Licence for more information.

8. All vessels wishing to participate in the Lingcod fishery, are reminded that Lingcod is managed as an ITQ fishery with additional electronic monitoring requirements.  Please refer to Part 2 of the Area F Conditions of Licence for details regarding Schedule II species.  Those wishing to retain lingcod while salmon trolling must hail out as a ground fish trip in addition to their salmon hail out.  Vessels must also hold or acquire sufficient quota.  Ground fish must be validated through the established dockside monitoring program with Archipelago Marine Research(AMR). Vessels wishing to retain and land over 500 lbs. of lingcod in the round per landing must meet the new electronic monitoring requirements.

9. Area F trollers who have lingcod quota are advised that arrangements have been made between the Chinook ITQ (J.O. Thomas) and the groundfish (AMR) service providers which will simplify dockside requirements. The dockside monitor for Chinook validation will also validate lingcod by-catch less than 500 lbs in the round. Please note that these arrangements only apply during Chinook offloads, all other offloads of lingcod will be subject to normal groundfish offloading requirements. In addition, Area F trollers offloading lingcod must follow normal groundfish hail in/hail out requirements. Fishers requiring further information may call DFO at 778-361-0582.

10. Other:

LOST GEAR REPORTING
The licence holder/operator must report any of their lost fishing gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of lost gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the Lost Fishing Gear form available online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/reporting-declaration-eng.html

If using an Electronic logbook:
The licence holder/fishing vessel operator must report any of their lost fishing gear to Fisheries and Oceans Canada gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of lost gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook. 

RETRIEVED GEAR REPORTING:
The licence holder/operator must report the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of retrieved gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)  by completing and submitting the Retrieval of Previously Reported Lost Fishing Gear form available online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/index-eng.html  Retrieval can only occur during the validity period of these licence conditions and only in relation to the specific type of gear authorized to be used by these licence conditions.

If using an Electronic logbook:
The licence holder/fishing vessel operator must report the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of retrieved gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook. Retrieval can only occur under a valid fishing licence and only in relation to the specific type of gear authorized to be used by the fishing licence.

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. 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 (2018).

Environment and Climate Change Canada continues to monitor seabird by-catch in net fisheries. Please retain and provide all dead birds entangled in nets to DFO, or call the BC Wild Bird Mortality Line (1-866-431-2473). Label birds with date, time, location and vessel name. Alternatively, send a photograph of birds with a reference object (i.e. coin) to laurie.wilson@canada.ca. For more information contact Laurie Wilson (laurie.wilson@canada.ca, 604-862-8817).

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. 

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. If your vessel strikes a whale, or if you observe a sick, injured, distressed, or dead marine mammal in B.C. waters, please contact the hotline immediately: 1-800-465-4336 or VHF Channel 16.

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. On April 14, 2021, the Government announced a suite of management measures to be implemented this summer that help address the key threats of reduced prey availability (primarily Chinook salmon), and acoustic and physical disturbance. These measures include salmon fishery closures, Interim Sanctuary Zones that restrict vessels from entering (including fishing), minimum vessel approach distances and a number of voluntary measures including to stop fishing (do not haul gear) within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass. For more information about the 2021 management measures, please visit https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales or contact the Marine Mammal Team at DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
   
The 24 hour toll-free phone-in line for fisheries notices is 1-866-431-3474.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Patrick Fairweather
Area F Troll Manager
778-361-0582

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0710
Sent July 22, 2021 at 0806

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