Fishery Notice

Effective daily from 05:00 hours to 22:00 hours May 1 to July 23, 2023 the daily limit of Sockeye Salmon is one (1) per day in that portion of the Somass River located approximately 200 meters above and 150 meters below the island near the boat launch at Somass Park near Service Road. Square white boundary signs are in place denoting this area.

On April 24, 2023 DFO 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 and Hupacasath First Nations, Maa-nulth and stakeholders from the commercial gillnet and seine fishery, and the Alberni Valley Sport Fishing Advisory Committee. Based on science advice, a Somass Sockeye pre-season management forecast of 500,000 was adopted, and at this run size fisheries are expected for all sectors this season.
 
The Somass Sockeye in-season stock assessment program will be in place in 2023. This program collects escapement, test fishing, catch and environmental information on a weekly basis. This information is collected and reviewed weekly for the duration of the season. This may lead to in-season management changes if conditions warrant.

Variation Order: 2023-RFQ-015

NOTES AND REMINDERS:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.  

The term "hatchery marked" or "marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin. This is also referred to as an adipose fin-clipped (AFC) fish. Unmarked fish still have an adipose fin present.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labeling 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 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are currently in effect and are closed to all fin-fishing.  Descriptions of RCAs, other closures such as finfish closed areas and salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish

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 1-800-465-4336 or by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-866-431-FISH (3474).

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

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0418
Sent April 28, 2023 at 1253

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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 October 4, 2023 at 1357