Fishery Notice

Gill nets open 06:00 to 22:00 hours daily, July 26, 2025 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.

Max mesh 137 mm, max depth 60 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, cork line to web distance min 0cm, max 45cm; or, max depth 90 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, cork line to web distance min 0.76m, max 1.5m.

Variation order No. 2025-041-SAL-C-4-GN in effect.

In the Area 4 gill net fishery, the following rules will be in place:

Half-length 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.

20 minute soak times. The maximum amount of time the 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.

Fish handling. Gill net fishers are encouraged to handle prohibited species with the greatest of care. Operating revival boxes are mandatory as in all gill net fisheries. However, if the salmon is in a vigorous condition, it is best to release it directly to the water rather than put it in the revival box. Fishers are asked to use their discretion on which fish should go into the revival box before they are then released to the water.

Reduced fishing area. In order to effectively monitor this fishery, the fishing area will be reduced.

Observers: There will be observers present in the fishery. All vessel masters must take an observer on board if requested to do so by a representative of the Department.

The commercial gill net fleet is reminded that the compliance of this fishery is critical to their future access to Skeena Sockeye.

Extensions and further fishing days will be directly dependant on compliance to the above restrictions.

Retention Rules:

Gill nets allowed to retain Sockeye and Pink salmon.

All gill net fisheries are being conducted with non-retention non-possession of Coho, Chum, Chinook, and Steelhead. Harvesters are required to release all Coho, Chinook, Chum, and Steelhead to the water with the least possible harm. Operating revival boxes are mandatory and may be used to revive fish prior to release.

Start Fishing Reports:

All gill net vessel masters are reminded of their conditions of licence that requires them to file a Start Fishing Report prior to beginning fishing by either phoning in to Archipelago Marine Research Ltd., which is the Catch Reporting Service Provider for 2025, or submitting the start fishing report through their e-log system. Start fishing reports are critical for the proper management of the fishery to help determine the number of gill net vessels participating in an opening. As such, gill net vessel masters may be requested by Fisheries Officers to provide the Trip Identification Number that they received after completing their Start Fishing Report.

Area C 2025 Catch Monitoring Program:

The Area C Harvest Committee has selected the following service provider to deliver the 2025 at sea catch monitoring program for Area 4:

Ecotrust Canada
425-309 2nd Avenue West
Prince Rupert, BC V8J 3T1
(250) 624-4191

At-Sea Observers:

As a part of the 2025 catch monitoring program, at-sea observers will be deployed into the Area 4 Sockeye/Pink directed gill net fisheries. When requested, all vessels are required to take on board an at-sea observer. Please see your conditions of licence for further details.

As per the gill net Conditions of License, harvesters may only deliver to designated landing sites. Companies that have designated landing sites will be required to participate in the catch monitoring program. Failure to participate fully will result in a loss of designation and harvesters will be unable to offload at your facility.

The list of designated landing sites is as follows:

Aero Trading, 1080 Skeena, Port Edward, BC V0V 1G0
Canfisco Seal Cove, PO Box 550, Prince Rupert, BC, V8J 3R5
Canfisco Port Hardy, 6225 Jensen Cove Rd, Port Hardy BC V0N 2P0
North Delta Seafoods, Coast Tsimshian Fish Plant, 100 Shashaak St, Lax Kw'alaams,BC,V0V 1H0
Port Edward, BC government dock.
Grand Hale, Port Edward, BC government dock.
Coast Tsimshian Fish Plant, 100 Shashaak St, Lax Kw'alaams,BC,V0V 1H0
Oceanside Fisheries, Port Edward, BC government dock.
Blue Cow  245 Cow Bay Road, Prince Rupert, V8J 1A2.
D&N 200 Bayview Dr, Port Edward BC.
Odin Seafoods, 237 Cow Bay Road, Prince Rupert BC, V8J 1A2.

The list of designated packers is as follows:

Nordic Queen, Canfisco
Ocean Virtue, Canfisco
Mary Isle, Canfisco
Ocean Mistress, Aero
Odysseus, Aero
Nucleus, Ocean Gate Seafoods

In order to maintain a packer vessel designated status, packer skippers must phone in their catch prior to landing to the Service Provider: (250) 624-4191.

Companies/packer vessels wishing to be a designated landing site for Sockeye/Pink gill net fisheries occurring in Areas 3, 4, and 5 or anyone wishing more information should contact Corey Martens at corey.martens@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or (250) 627-3404.

Please note that all salmon gill net fisheries have requirements for recording and reporting. Refer to your 2025 Area C conditions of licence for complete details.

Please note changes to transporting of salmon. Please see Part III of your conditions of licence for additional details. Instructions for the Salmon Transfer Log and the Salmon Transfer Log may be found on our web page in section 'Additional Licensing Services Forms' at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/licence-commercial-eng.html

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 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. 

NOTICE TO ALL GILL NET FISHERS:

Vessel operators are reminded to keep wake and wash to a minimum in Prince Rupert Harbour, Porpoise Harbour and Venn Passage, and specifically the Digby Island and Metlakatla dock areas.

Vessel operators are reminded to display proper navigation lights and have them turned on from sunset to sunrise. Failure to display proper navigation lights is a contravention of the Collision Regulations.

Throughout the fishery opening, on-ground sampling technicians will be randomly collecting salmon bio-samples for stock assessment purposes. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Fishers are reminded that a mandatory logbook and phone-in program is in place. Note that a phone report is required before starting to fish and for all fishing activity even if no fish are caught. Failure to report zero catches may result in over estimation of total catch. See your conditions of licence for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact Corey Martens by calling 250-627-3404

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0710
Sent July 25, 2025 at 1405

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 17, 2026 at 0711