Fishery Notice

If you're going fishing this Easter long weekend, plan ahead! For full details 
on obtaining your fishing licence, see below.

Is your area open to fishing?
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Before you purchase your licence, please note that there are salmon and other 
fishery closures in effect in numerous areas of BC's tidal waters. For the 
latest details on openings and closures in your area: 

A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour recorded phone line) 
B) Or - visit our web page to find applicable fishery notices
http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm 
C) Or - follow our sport fishing Twitter account
https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc

Buy your licence online!
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2017 - 2018 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licences and Yukon Salmon Conservation 
Catch Cards are available for purchase online in the National Recreational 
Licensing System (NRLS). 

Licences can be obtained via any computer connected to the Internet at 
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sportfish or use online search key words "Recfish 
Licence" to access the licensing web page. In order to purchase and print a 
licence with a personal computer, you will need a printer with 8.5 x 11 letter-
sized paper, Adobe Reader, a compatible web browser, and a valid credit or 
debit card. 

Refund Policy
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Refunds will not be issued for licences purchased online, so please ensure you 
have the correct licence selection, including licence category and date of 
licence, before you complete your transaction.

Electronic licences
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You may carry your licence in electronic form (for example on a cellphone) as 
long as it can be immediately displayed and read on a screen. However, if you 
catch and retain any of the species that you are required to record on your 
licence (chinook salmon, lingcod or halibut) you will need a paper copy of your 
licence in order to record your catch. Failing to immediately record your catch 
on the paper copy of the licence is a violation, as is failing to show your 
licence to a Fishery Officer when requested.

Best times to buy?
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You are encouraged to purchase your licence(s) in advance of a planned fishing 
trip. To avoid system delays, the best time to access NRLS is outside peak 
periods. Peak periods are every day from 12-3pm; every Friday, Saturday, and 
Sunday; April 1st of each year; and anytime there is a major fishery opening, 
such as the Fraser Sockeye opening.

Alternative purchase options?
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If there is a system outage, limited internet connectivity or if you are having 
trouble obtaining your licence online, you can also visit an Independent Access 
Provider; a list of current independent service locations may be found at 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/iap-fai-eng.html  

It is recommended that you contact the applicable Independent Access Provider 
to confirm the availability of licences prior to departure. If you are a non-
resident wishing to fish for halibut in Areas 23, 121, or 123, you must acquire 
a licence through one of these independent service locations. 

Sport Fishing Guide
-------------------
The British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide is available online. For 
the most current information on recreational fisheries, visit the online BC 
Sport Fishing Guide website at: 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html  Or
http://bcsportfishingguide.ca

A printable (pdf) version of the guide is also available at this link. Note 
that the pdf version of the guide is condensed and includes static information 
that does not change on a regular basis.  In-season changes are not included in 
the pdf and will instead be communicated through regular website updates.

For more information
--------------------
Please contact DFO during regular business hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm) by email or 
by phone and please indicate that you are a client in the Pacific Region.

Email: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Phone: 1-877-535-7307

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0364
Sent April 13, 2017 at 1127

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 19, 2024 at 2228