Fishery Notice

The following commercial economic opportunity fishery was authorized for the Musqueam First Nation for Sockeye salmon gillnet gear in the lower Fraser River: 

This fishery opened for gillnet, from 11:00 hours to 19:00 hours, August 18, 2025.

The fishing activity was authorized in the following area:

Those waters of the Fraser River westerly of the Patullo Bridge and the waters of the Strait of Georgia bounded by a line commencing at Point Grey thence northerly to the light on Point Atkinson, thence westerly to the light on Point Cowan on Bowen Island, thence following the southerly shoreline of Bowen Island to the light on Cape Roger Curtis, thence in a direct line southeasterly to the Roberts Bank LL# 309 (known as the Hooter Buoy) thence due west to the 40 metre contour line as shown on C.H.S. 3463, thence follow the 40 metre contour line to the International border. 

Portions of DFO Management Subareas 29-3, 29-4, 29-6, 29-7, 29-9,29-10, 29-11, 29-12, 29-13 and 29-14.

Only individuals designated by the Musqueam First Nation are authorized to participate in this fishery. All aspects of the communal licence will be enforced. Fish harvesters are advised to contact their band for a copy of the conditions of their fishing licence. 
 
The target species in this fishery is Sockeye salmon. Retention of Chinook salmon, Pink salmon, Chum salmon, and hatchery marked Coho Salmon caught incidentally is permitted. There will be non-retention of wild Coho Salmon, Steelhead and Sturgeon. All non-target species will be released back to the water alive and unharmed.

It is mandatory that all salmon retained under the authority of this licence be transported to the nearest landing station and made available for inspection. A monitor shall be present during all landing of catch to record the number and weight of each species of salmon delivered. 

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). 

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). 

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.  

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. 
   
The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information contact Sukriti Khanna by calling (604)753-8828

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0829
Sent August 18, 2025 at 1234

Return to Main Menu

Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 9, 2026 at 2202