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 June 3, 2023 until 23:59 hours November 30, 2023.

Subarea 18-9, and those portions of 18-2, 18-4, and 18-5 inside a line drawn from Collinson Point on Galiano Island at 48°51.590' N and 123°21.152' W, then easterly to 48°51.450' N and 123° 20.722' W at Helen Point on Mayne Island, then southerly following the shoreline of Mayne Island to 48°50.010' N and 123°19.675' W at Dinner Point, then southerly to 48°49.141' N and 123°19.632' W at Stanley Point on North Pender Island, then southerly following the shoreline of North Pender Island to 48°44.199' N and 123°13.893' W at Wallace Point, then easterly to 48°43.951' N and 123°12.489' W at Tilly Point on South Pender Island, then easterly following the shoreline of South Pender Island to 48°44.697' N and 123°10.467' W at Teece Point on South Pender Island, then northeasterly to 48°45.817' N and 123°09.319' W at Murder Point on Saturna Island, then easterly following the shoreline of Saturna Island to 48°46.967' N and 123°02.733' W near Saturna Island Sector Light, then southeasterly to a point in water at 48°46.934' N and 123°02.665' W, then southwesterly to a point in water at 48°46.558' N and 123°03.147' W, then southwesterly to a point in water intersecting with the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°44.866' N and 123°04.638' W, then westerly following the international boundary with the United States of America to a point in water intersecting with the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°43.063' N and 123°11.026' W, then southwesterly following the international boundary with the United States of America to a point in water intersecting with the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°41.640' N and 123°16.073' W, then southerly to a point in water intersecting with the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°41.269' N and 123°15.948' W, then westerly to 48°41.088' N and 123°17.622' W at Arachne Reef Light, then northeasterly to a point in water approximately 0.5 nautical miles from the shoreline of Moresby Island at 48°42.753' N and 123°16.439' W, then northwesterly to a point in water located approximately 0.5 nautical miles from the shoreline of Moresby Island at 48°44.563' N and 123°18.529' W, then westerly to a point in water at 48°44.263' N and 123°19.142' W, then northwesterly to 48°46.522' N and 123°22.002' W at Beaver Point on Saltspring Island, then northerly to a point at 48°49.285' N and 123°21.301' W on Prevost Island, then northerly following the shoreline of Prevost Island to 48°49.979' N and 123°21.883' W near Porter Bight on Prevost Island, and then northeasterly in a straight line back to the point of commencement. 

In addition, all fishing is prohibited (with some exceptions) from June 1 until November 30, 2023 in the Interim Sanctuary Zones located in portions of Subarea 18-4 (Pender Island) and Subarea 18-5 and 18-11 (Saturna Island). More information on this areas can be found in Fishery Notice FN0510.

In addition, fishing is prohibiting in the following areas on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in support of Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery:

Commercial and recreational salmon fishing is prohibited in a portion of 29-3 at the Mouth of the Fraser River from August 1 to September 30; in portions of Subareas 21-0, 121-1 and 121-2 following the expiry of the Chinook non-retention measures until October 31, 2023, and in portions of Subareas 20-1 and 20-5 following the expiry of the Chinook non-retention measures until October 31, 2023. A separate Variation Order and Fishery Notice will be provided in advance of the effective dates.

Variation Order: 2023-RCT-207

 
The Southern Resident Killer Whale population is small and declining, with only 73 individuals remaining and is exposed to a number of anthropogenic threats, including underwater noise and disturbance from vessels. Given the imminent threats the whales are facing, additional management measures are in effect:

Vessels must travel at no more than 10knots (with some exceptions) from June 1, 2023 until November 30, 2023 in the Speed Restricted Zones located in portions of Subareas 121-1, 121-2 and 21-0.

The Government is also asking vessel operators to respect the following voluntary measures:
-Stop fishing (do not haul gear) within 1000 metres of killer whales and let them pass;
-Reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 1000 metres of the nearest whale;
-When safe to do so, turn off echo sounders and fish finders; and 
-Place engine in neutral idle and allow animals to pass if your vessel is not in compliance with the approach distance regulations

For further information on the suite of Southern Resident Killer Whale mandatory and voluntary management measures, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Marine Mammal Team 
DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0514
Sent June 1, 2023 at 0903

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 20, 2024 at 0154