Fishery Notice

Commercial Salmon Allocation Framework (CSAF) Demonstration Fishery opportunity for Lax Kw'alaams Band, Metlakatla First Nation, and North Coast Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society. Effective July 9, 2025 and July 10, 2025 between the hours of 05:00 to 22:00 each day, in subareas: 4-4, a portion of 4-5 from 54 degrees 21 minutes 58.79 seconds north latitude and 130 degrees 36 minutes 37.06 seconds west longitude thence due north to upper 4-5 boundary thence east to the northern point of Finlayson Island, a portion of 4-9 east of a line running from Morrell Pt to South Rachel Island Light to the flashing red light on Lucy Island thence true north to the 4-5 boundary, thence east to Ryan Pt., 4-12, and 4-15. 

Half-length nets and 20 minute soak times are in effect. Seine vessels must brail and sort their catch.

The target species in this fishery is Sockeye Salmon, with Pink Salmon retention permitted. The Total Allowable Catch of Skeena Sockeye is based on a share of the Canadian Commercial Total Allowable Catch for commercial proponents.

The commercial sales fishery portion is being conducted with non-retention and non-possession of Coho, Chum, Chinook, and steelhead. 

Approved participation in "Dual Fishing" permits retention and possession of non-target and target species for Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) purposes, such as follows:

DUAL FISHING: 

This fishery provides "type B" (permitted retention of non-target bycatch for non-sale FSC purposes) dual fishing opportunities, which enables bycatch retention that would otherwise be licensed to harvest by a Nation-designated fisher under the respective communal licence. Retention of FSC bycatch is subject to available communal allocation, sufficient abundance, a valid FSC licence for the fishing area, compliance with communal licence areas and mandatory landing requirements, and any additional catch monitoring/reporting requirements to separately account for FSC and sale harvests. These conditions are outlined through the applicable XDEMO and affiliated XFSC fishery licences. 

Operating revival boxes are mandatory and all prohibited/non-retained species captured incidentally must be either revived in the revival tank and released, or released directly to the water with the least possible harm.

This fishery is being conducted with the following rules in place:

1. Half-length gill nets. Maximum net length will be 100 fathoms, or 187.5 meters. It will not be acceptable to have a regular length net on your drum and only set half. It will also not be acceptable to have both halves of the net on your drum. Only one (half-length) net will be allowed on your drum or in the water.

2. 20 minute soak times. The maximum amount of time the gill net is allowed to be in the water from the time it is completely set to the time it begins to be retrieved is 20 minutes.  Note that this "soak time" is designed to equal a 40 minute time from when the first portion of the net enters the water to when the last portion of the net leaves the water. Times will be monitored on the grounds.

This demonstration fishery was proposed and reviewed as part of the work to implement updates to the Commercial Salmon Allocation Framework and was included in the draft 2025/26 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) for public review and feedback prior to approval. This is a limited entry fishery, with only vessels listed on the licence for this fishery allowed to participate. This fishery is taking place as described in the 2025/26 Northern BC Salmon IFMP.

For more details, fishers are asked to read the Conditions of Licence issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, or to contact the appropriate Nation or group's fisheries manager. A designation is required to participate in demonstration fisheries. Designations are provided by the licence holder/Nation noted above.

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). 
 
For more information about the 2025 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: 
 
Contact Karlena Lord by emailing Karlena.Lord@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or calling 250-922-4266. 

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0629
Sent July 8, 2025 at 1537

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 17, 2026 at 0811