Fishery Notice

Further to FN1149, a surplus of Fraser River chum salmon has been identified in 
the terminal area.  A limited opportunity Area B fishery is authorized to 
assess the effectiveness of seine vessels at harvesting chum salmon by seine at 
the mouth of the Fraser River.  At this time the notional allocation for this 
Area B opening is 30,000 pieces of chum salmon.  The actual allocation for this 
fishery will be confirmed in a subsequent update to be provided next week.

The involvement of the Area B seine fleet in the Fraser River chum fishery 
is dependent on the Area B Seine Harvest Committee developing and implementing 
a fishing plan that limits the harvests of chum to identified target 
allocations.  This limited participation fishery has been organized through 
collaboration between the Area B Harvest Committee and DFO. Arrangements to 
participate in this fishery must be co-ordinated with the Area B Harvest 
Committee.  As a result, Area B vessel masters and vessels must be designated 
by their representative Working Group body and subsequently by the Area B 
Harvest Committee to participate in this fishery.  This fishery will not 
proceed should undesignated seine vessels attend or attempt to participate in 
this fishery.  There will be certified observer coverage on this fishery. 

Area 29 

Seines open from 06:30 hours to 18:30 hours Wednesday, October 29, 2014 or 
until the target catch is reached, whichever occurs first, in the following 
areas:

Subareas 29-3, 29-4, 29-6, 29-7, 29-9 and 29-10 in waters no shallower than 45 
metres (approximately 27 fathoms).  The Department has authorized an option to 
allow seine fishing in waters no shallower than 30 metres(approximately 16 
fathoms) isobath line, as shown on Chart 3463, published by the Canadian 
Hydrographic Service for vessels equipped with shallow seine gear 
modifications. Note that shallow seine gear is defined as no deeper than 375 
mesh (3-strip). Arrangements to participate in this fishing option must be co-
ordinated with the Area B Harvest Committee.

The fishery is directed at harvesting chum salmon; incidentally caught pink 
salmon may be retained. Sockeye, coho, chinook and steelhead may not be 
retained.  Minimum bunt mesh size 100 mm. All catch must be brailed and sorted. 
The use of power skiffs is permitted. 

Variation Order No. 2014-STN-SN-013

NOTE:

1. The target species in this fishery is Fraser River chum salmon; the 
incidental catch of pink salmon may be retained in the Areas open to fishing.  
There is non-retention of sockeye, coho, chinook and steelhead in effect.

2. Seine vessel masters are reminded that logbook requirements, operating 
revival tanks and brailing are mandatory as condition of their licence and are 
legal requirements. 

3. Vessel masters must, prior to leaving for the fishing grounds, phone AMR at 
1-888-387-0007 and provide a start fishing report and announce their intention 
to fish.
 
4. At the end of the fishing day and prior to 08:00 hours of the next day, the 
vessel master must, as a condition of licence, record their catch information 
in their Salmon Log Book and report their catch by calling AMR at 1-888-387-
0007.

5. Within 24 hours of the end of a fishing trip and prior to commencing a 
subsequent fishing trip, the vessel master shall phone in an End Fishing 
Report.  Should a vessel master decide not to fish after having obtained a Trip 
Identification Number the vessel master shall phone in a Trip Cancellation 
report. 

6. Catch validation is mandatory and individual licence holders are required to 
make their own arrangements with a landing observer service provider authorized 
by the Department.  For further information contact J.O. Thomas and Associates 
(ph: 1-866-930-4000).

7. Prior to any dockside landing of fish, the vessel master shall hail in to 
the designated landing observer service provider at 1-866-930-4000 between 
06:00 hours and 18:00 hours seven days per week and provide the following 
information:

- vessel name;
- vessel registration number;
- name and Fisher Identification Number of the vessel master;
- contact phone number;
- date, time, port and location of landing of the fish;
- name of fish buying station where fish are to be landed;
- product type;
- estimated number of pieces by species;
- area fished; and
- sub-area fished.

A landing observer shall be present during all landing of catch to record the 
number and weight of each species of salmon delivered. 

If the vessel leaves the fishery to fish in another fishery the catch shall be 
landed and verified by a landing observer prior to entering the other fishery.

8. Fishers are reminded it is an offence under Section 7 of the Marine Mammals 
Regulations to disturb marine mammals.  Fishers are advised to follow the Be 
Whale Wise: Marine Wildlife Guidelines for Boaters, Paddlers and Viewers (BWW) 
which are available from local Fisheries Offices or on-line at 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/view-
observer-eng.htm to avoid disturbing local killer whales and other marine 
mammals.

9. Fishers are requested to avoid fishing among birds and not to run the net if 
birds are near the net.  Fishers are requested to retain all dead birds which 
are entangled and to release live and unharmed birds by placing them in the 
water.  Please check all birds for metal bird bands (rings) on the leg.  If a 
bird is banded please contact Laurie Wilson with the band number and capture 
date and location at 1-866-431-2473 (BIRD) or by the email below.  Handle birds 
with gloves, double bag dead birds and label each bird with date, time, and 
location and store them on ice.  Please call your local charter patrol to 
organize pick-up or drop them off at a local DFO office.  Alternatively, please 
send photographs of birds with a reference object such as a coin, and the date, 
time and location to laurie.wilson@ec.gc.ca.  Your names and vessel names do 
not need to be identified or included. 

10. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is interested in reports of sea turtles in BC 
waters.  By documenting sightings we are able to learn more about how, when and 
where these turtles are using our waters.  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.



FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Barbara Mueller, Resource Manager, Lower Fraser Area (604)666-2370 

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1180
Sent October 24, 2014 at 1536

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