Fishery Notice

The limited effort assessment fishery for Mid Vancouver Island Chum in Area 14 announced in FN1174 was closed at 00:00 on November 4, 2024 due to strong winds. The fishery will resume as of 00:01 November 5, 2024 for 34 hours until 10:00 November 6, 2024. The full details for this opening are as follows.

Area D Gill Net Harvest Committee has an approved proposal through the Commercial Salmon Allocation Framework (CSAF) process and has been working with the Department for a limited entry gill net assessment fishery for Area 14 terminal Chum fisheries. This proposal is for a limited entry fishery that can evaluate the utility of early-fishery catch per unit effort (CPUE) in predicting the terminal run size for the aggregate of the Mid-Vancouver Island (MVI) systems in Area 14. The objectives of this weekly small fleet fishery would be to:
- Determine in season stock strength of aggregate Mid-Vancouver Island Chum.
- Develop a catch-by-set-by-location database to further develop assessment capabilities.
- Sample the catch for stock identification and other biological parameters.
- Evaluate by-catch interceptions.

This fishery is a limited entry and limited effort fishery. The following 10 vessels were selected by the Area D Harvest Committee through a random draw (FN0906) to participate in this opening:

1. JENNIFER JAYNE - 22406
2. RYAN D - 24737
3. STAR SEARCH - 28626
4. R.G.IX - 24141
5. EMMA S - 24945
6. ICE CRYSTAL - 29077
7. EAGLE CAT - 28750
8. MISS MEG - 29727
9. SHANE E - 22918
10. DANIEL D NO.1 - 30195

This opening will be closed on short notice if any vessel, other than those listed above, attempt to participate in this fishery.

The limited effort assessment fishery for gill nets will open for 34 hours from 00:01 hours November 5 to 10:00 hours November 6, 2024, in the following areas:

Subareas 14-4, 14-5 seaward of a boundary line 1 nautical mile from the Vancouver Island shore;

Subareas 14-7, 14-9; 

Subarea 14-10, (there is a half-mile radius boundary in effect at the mouth of Fillongley Creek) and;

That portion of Subarea 14-11 outside the Comox Bar, northeasterly of a line from Longbeak Point on Denman Island (49° 36.540'N 124° 50.647' W) to a fishing boundary sign on Willemar Bluffs (49° 40.371' N  124° 53.466' W).

The target species is Chum. Pink Salmon may also be retained. Chinook, Coho, Sockeye and Steelhead may not be retained.

Maximum gill net length is 375 m. Minimum mesh-size is 149 mm (5-7/8 inches). Maximum depth is 90 meshes. Maximum hang ratio is 3:1, cork-line to web distance minimum is 0 cm, maximum is 2 m.

The maximum amount of time the next is allowed to be in the water from the time it is completely set to the time it begins to be retrieved is 60 minutes.

Variation Order Numbers: 2024-SAL-14-GN-062

This fishery is designed to provide in season assessment information for the mid Vancouver Island Chum return. Vessel masters please note that future fishing opportunities will depend on timely catch reporting, as per the conditions of licence. In addition, a special set log is required to be completed and submitted to DFO separately. Vessels masters are also requested to help coordinate DFO's biological sampling of the catch.

NOTES AND REMINDERS:

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 DFO by completing the section reserved for that purpose in the 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 to DFO by completing the section reserved for that purpose in the electronic logbook.

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. This aligns with reporting requirements under the Marine Mammal Regulations. The link to the online National form and instructions for filling in and reporting can be found at: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-rapport/page01-eng.html. For more information, please see FN0388 (2018).

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. In May, the Government Of Canada shared the 2024 and 2025 management measures to be implemented this spring and 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 approach distances, and a number of voluntary measures including to stop fishing (do not haul gear) and reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass, and a voluntary speed reduction zone in Tumbo Channel.

For more information about the 2024 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

For more information on the best ways to help whales while on the water, when on both sides of the border, please visit: bewhalewise.org.

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 or VHF Channel 16.

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 species of sea turtle seen (e.g.  leatherback), the location and time of sighting.

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 (1-866-544-4744). Handle birds with gloves, double bag dead birds and label each with date, time, location, and store them on ice. Alternatively, send a photograph of birds with a reference object (e.g. coin) to Laurie.Wilson@ec.gc.ca. For more information contact Laurie Wilson (Laurie.Wilson@ec.gc.ca, 604-862-8817).

Report suspicious activity or violations by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or 604-607-4186 in greater Vancouver.

The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474 or 604-666-2828 in greater Vancouver.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact Teagan Wardrop, ECVI Resource Manager, by emailing Teagan.Wardrop@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1179
Sent November 4, 2024 at 1241

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on March 11, 2026 at 1438