Fishery Notice

This notice advises fishers of the recreational Chinook fishing opportunities and Chinook management measures, which include finfish closures, salmon non-retention areas and Chinook non-retention areas for Area 21 (Nitinat), Area 22 (Nitinat Lake), Area 23 (Barkley Sound),and Area 24 (Clayoquot Sound) and associated offshore waters in Areas 121 to 124 that are in effect July 15 2023.

For all areas, any in-season changes or terminal opportunities based on abundance will be announced by subsequent Fishery Notice(s). Fishers are reminded to check the DFO website before they go fishing for current regulations in effect that day.

Unless otherwise specified below, the daily limit for Chinook is two (2) per day with a minimum size of 45 cm in Areas 21 to 24, 121, 123 and 124.

PLEASE NOTE THAT NEW FOR 2023: IN AREAS 121 AND 123 THERE ARE REDUCTIONS IN THE CHINOOK DAILY LIMITS (2/DAY TO 1/DAY) FROM JULY 15-31 TO REDUCE IMPACTS ON FRASER SUMMER 52 CHINOOK. IN PORTIONS OF AREAS 21 AND 121 THERE ARE INCREASED SALMON FISHING CLOSURES TO HELP SUPPORT SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE RECOVERY. ALL OTHER CLOSURES AND CHINOOK REGULATIONS REMAIN THE SAME AS IN 2022.

Area 121
DAILY QUOTA AND SIZE RESTRICTION:

Effective July 15 until July 31, 2023 the daily limit is one (1) Chinook, with a minimum size limit of 45 cm, and a maximum size limit of 80 cm, in all portions of 121 with the following exceptions:

SWIFTSURE BANK FINFISH CLOSURE - All Year 

Effective January 1 until December 31 you may not fish for finfish in those portions of Subareas 121-1 and 121-2 inside a line from 48 degrees 34.00'N and 125 degrees 06.00'W, then to 48 degrees 34.00'N and 124 degrees 54.20'W, then to 48 degrees 29.62'N and 124 degrees 43.40'W, then following the International Boundary between Canada and the United States of America to 48 degrees 29.55'N and 124 degrees 56.20'W, then returning in a straight line to the point of commencement.

SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE RECOVERY - SALMON FISHING CLOSURES

Additional recreational and commercial salmon closures are being put in place to support Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery. A separate Fishery Notice will be provided in advance of the effective dates, but more information can be found at https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales. 

Area 22
FINFISH CLOSURE:

Effective August 1, 2023 until October 31, 2023 you may not fish for finfish in that portion of Area 22 (Nitinat Lake) northeasterly of a line from a boundary sign at Windy Point to a boundary sign on the opposite shore.

Area 23
FINFISH CLOSURES: 

Effective June 30, 2023 until October 31, 2023 the following areas closed to fishing for all finfish:

Uchucklesit / Alberni Inlet - That portion of subarea 23-2 south of a line drawn from Bilton Point easterly to Coleman Creek, and that portion of subarea 23-3 north of a line drawn from Chup Point easterly to Hissin Point. 

Effective August 1, 2023 until September 30, 2023 the following areas closed to fishing for all finfish:

Numukamis Bay - that portion of Subarea 23-4 inside a line from a boundary sign on the eastern shore near the entrance to Poett Nook harbour to San Jose Islets light then to a boundary sign on Vancouver Island 0.3 nm east of the southern tip of Congreve Island;

Nahmint Bay - that portion of Subarea 23-2 north of a line between a boundary sign near Chesnucknuw Creek west to a boundary sign on the opposite shore and southwest of a line drawn  from Hocking Point 127 degrees true to a boundary sign on the opposite shore;

Toquart Bay - that portion of Subarea 23-10 shoreward of a line beginning at a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline located at 49 degrees 01.170'N and 125 degrees 21.497'W then to the southern tip of Snowden Island then across to the southern tip of Refuge Island then ending at a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline located at 49 degrees 01.691'N and 125 degrees 18.624'W.

CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS:

Effective August 1, 2023 until September 30, 2023 the following areas are Chinook non-retention areas:

Approach waters to the Nahmint River - that portion of Subarea 23-3 east of a line drawn between Star Point and a boundary sign near the mouth of Handy Creek, and south of a line drawn between a boundary sign near Chesnucknuw Creek to a boundary sign on the opposite shore;

Effingham Inlet - that portion of Subarea 23-6 shoreward of from a line beginning at a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline at 48 degrees 59.963'N and 125 degrees 11.526'W across to the western tip of Webster Island, continuing along the shoreline to the northeastern tip of Webster Island then across to a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline located at 49 degrees 00.295'N and 125 degrees 10.445'W.

Area 123 
DAILY QUOTA AND SIZE RESTRICTION:

Effective July 15 until July 31 2023 in that portion of Area 123 seaward of the 1 nm Boundary Line, the daily limit is one (1) Chinook, with a minimum size limit of 45 cm, and a maximum size limit of 80 cm. The Boundary Line is approximately 1nm seaward of the surf line. For full definition of the Boundary Line please see the bottom of this fisheries notice.

Area 24 
FINFISH CLOSURES:

Effective August 1, 2023 until October 31, 2023 the following areas closed to fishing for all finfish:

Subareas 24-1 to 24-5, 24-7, 24-12 to 24-14;

Ahousaht/Millar Channel - that portion of Subarea 24-6 northerly of a line commencing at Kutcous Point (49 degrees 14.961'N, and 126 degrees 04.817'W) on Flores Island to 49 degrees 14.637'N, and 126 degrees 00.825'W on Vancouver Island near the Chetarpe I.R.;

Browning Passage - that portion of Subarea 24-9 easterly of a line commencing at Ginnard Point (49 degrees 08.069'N, and 125 degrees 51.169'W) on Meares Island to 49 degrees 07.483'N, and 125 degrees 51.811'W on Vancouver Island, and westerly of a line commencing at Auseth Point continuing true south to the Vancouver Island shoreline;

Warn Bay - that portion of Subarea 24-10 inside a line between boundary signs at the entrance to the Warn Bay;

Grice Bay - that portion of Subarea 24-11 inside a line between boundary signs approximately half way inside Grice Bay to the head of Grice Bay;

Subarea 24-13;

That portion of Subarea 124-3 approximately 1 nm seaward of the surf line beginning at Ahous Point, then to 49 degrees 10.280' N 126 degrees 04.790' W seaward of Blunden Island, then to 49 degrees 16.472' N 126 degrees 15.140' W seaward of Rafael Point, then to 49 degrees 20.008' N 126 degrees 17.188' W seaward of Sydney Inlet, then to 49 degrees 23.807' N 126 degrees 24.483' W seaward of Hesquiat Point, then to 49 degrees 21.620' N 126 degrees 28.478' W seaward of Matlahaw Point.

FINFISH CLOSURE - YEAR ROUND

Effective January 1 until December 31 each year you may not fish for finfish in that portion of 24-12 described as the waters of Kennedy Cove inside or northwesterly of a line between two fishing boundary signs on the outer southwest corner and the outer northeast corner of the cove.

CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS:

Effective August 1, 2023 until October 31, 2023 you may not retain Chinook salmon in the following waters:

That portion of Subarea 24-6 southerly of a line commencing at Kutcous Point (49 degrees 14.961N, and 126 degrees 04.817'W) on Flores Island to 49 degrees 14.637 N, and 126 degrees 00.825'W on Vancouver Island near the Chetarpe I.R.;

That portion of 24-8 shoreward of a line drawn from Cox Point to the Lennard Island light, to Echachis Island to Wickaninnish Island to Moser Point;

That portion of Subarea 24-9 westerly of a line commencing at Ginnard Point (49 degrees 08.069'N, and 125 degrees 51.169'W) on Meares Island to 49 degrees 07.483'N, and 125 degrees 51.811'W on Vancouver Island, and westerly of a line commencing at Auseth Point continuing true south to the Vancouver Island shoreline;

That portion of Subarea 24-10 outside or southwest of a line between boundary signs at the entrance to the Warn Bay;

That portion of Subarea 24-11 outside or west a line between boundary signs approximately half way inside Grice Bay to the head of Grice Bay.

Area 124
DAILY QUOTA AND SIZE RESTRICTION:

Effective July 15 to July 31, 2023 in that portion of Area 124 seaward of the 1 nm Boundary Line and southeast of the 124-3 finfish closure described above, the daily limit is two (2) Chinook, with a minimum size limit of 45 cm, and a maximum size limit of 80 cm.

Full Description of the one (1) nautical mile boundary seaward of the surf line for Areas 123 and 124:

The Boundary Line is approximately 1nm seaward of the surf line and is defined as follows:

A line that begins at Pachena Point lighthouse at 48 degrees 43.327' N 125 degrees 05.855' W then to 48 degrees 42.456' N 125 degrees 06.583' W seaward of Pachena Point, then to 48 degrees 46.420' N 125 degrees 13.997' W seaward of Cape Beale, then to 48 degrees 54.572' N 125 degrees 33.622' W seaward of Amphitrite Point, then to 49 degrees 05.100' N 125 degrees 54.646' W seaward of Cox Point, then to 49 degrees 10.280' N 126 degrees 04.790' W seaward of Blunden Island, then to 49 degrees 16.472' N 126 degrees 15.140' W seaward of Rafael Point, then to 49 degrees 20.008' N 126 degrees 17.188' W seaward of Sydney Inlet, then to 49 degrees 23.807' N 126 degrees 24.483' W seaward of Hesquiat Point, then to 49 degrees 21.620' N 126 degrees 28.478' W seaward of Matlahaw Point, then to 49 degrees 22.113' N 126 degrees 33.508' W seaward of Estevan Point.

Variation Orders: 2023-RFQ-256; 2023-RCT-058

Notes:

The term "hatchery marked", "marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

Consult the online BC Sport Fish Guide at https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html for the latest closures, regulations, and restrictions

Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licences can be purchased via any computer connected to the internet at https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm or by using Google search key words "Recfish Licence".

Information about finfish closed areas and salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at: Recreational fishing limits, openings and closures in British Columbia | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)
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

Fishers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labeling and submitting heads from hatchery marked Chinook and Coho Salmon to head depots. 2022 condition of license for Chinook and Coho head-off length equivalents support participation. The head-off measurement can be used by enforcement officers to assess compliance on size limits if you remove the head from Chinook or Coho. Recovery of microscopic coded-wire tags found inside hatchery marked Chinook and Coho heads provide critical information for coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at 1-866-483-9994 for further information

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. On April 26, 2023, 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), Speed Restricted Zones that restrict vessels to a maximum of 10 knots in designated areas (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 2023 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

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 marine mammal 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 animal 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.

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).

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0655
Sent July 13, 2023 at 1016

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 11, 2024 at 0037