Fishery Notice

Effective 00:01 hours May 1, 2019 until further notice the daily quota for the 
tidal recreational fishery for sockeye salmon will be two (2) sockeye per day 
in the following area:

that portion of Subareas 23-1 to 23-11 from a line in Alberni Harbour near the 
mouth of the Somass River beginning at a boundary sign Located at 49 degrees 
14.190 north latitude and 124 degrees 50.230 west longitude then through the 
southernmost point of Hoik Island then to the flashing green light at the mouth 
of the Somass River then due east to a boundary sign on the opposite shore then 
Seaward to the surfline (Cape Beale to Amphitrite Point) except for the 
following closed area;

The area known as Uchucklesit Inlet will close to angling for all finfish - 
effective 00:01 hours June 30 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2019 this includes 
that portion of Subarea 23-3 northwest of a line between boundary signs at 
Brooksby Point and Burrough Point. 

Effective daily from 06:00 hours to 22:00 hours from May 1 until  July 23, 2019 
the daily quota for sockeye salmon shall be two (2) per day in the following 
area;

The tidal portion of the Somass River described as that portion of Subarea 23-1 
from the tidal boundary signs at Paper Mill Dam on the Somass River downstream 
to a line commencing at a boundary sign in upper Alberni Harbour situated at 49 
degrees 14.19 north latitude and 124 degrees 50.23 west longitude then through 
the southernmost point of Hoik Island then to the flashing green light at the 
mouth of the Somass River, then due east to a boundary sign on the opposite 
shore except for the following closed area;

The area known as Paper Mill Dam Pool will remain closed to angling for all 
finfish. It Includes that portion of 23-1 in the Somass River from signs 
located near the bottom of the rapids immediately north of Papermill Dam Pool, 
then downstream to boundary signs located on both sides of the Somass River 
approximately 60 metres downstream from the northern tip of the unnamed island 
directly below Paper Mill Dam Pool.

Variation Order # 2019-RFQ-240


On April 16, 2019 Department staff met with the Area 23 Harvest Committee to 
discuss fishery planning for Area 23 Somass Sockeye. The attendees at this 
meeting were representatives from the Tseshaht, Hupacasath and Maa-nulth First 
Nations and stakeholders from the commercial gill net and seine fishery, and 
the Alberni Valley Sport Fishing Advisory Committee.
  
The pre-season forecast for Somass sockeye is 350,000. This will be monitored 
in season and restrictions may be implemented on short notice to protect 
migrating sockeye. At the meeting the Area 23 Harvest Committee recommended 
opening the tidal recreational sockeye fishery with a reduced limit. Further 
opportunities or restrictions will be determined at the weekly Harvest 
Committee meetings which start May 30. 

The Somass Sockeye in-season stock assessment program will be in place in 2019. 
This program collects escapement, test fishing, catch and environmental 
information on a weekly basis. This information is collected and a reforecast 
will be made weekly every Thursday for the duration of the season.  This may 
lead to further recreational sockeye opportunities if conditions warrant.

Notes:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal waters of British 
Columbia.  

The term "marked" means a hatchery fish that has a healed scar in place of the 
adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery 
program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped Chinook and 
Coho salmon. Recovery of coded wire tags provides critical information for 
coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program 
toll free at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures 
and other recreational fishing information.

Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licences can be purchased via any computer connected 
to the internet at 
https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm 
or by using Google search key words "Recfish Licence".

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation?  If so, please call 
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line 
at (800) 465-4336.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 
1-(866)431-FISH(3474).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
 
Contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Port Alberni office at 250-720-4440 or 
visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0390
Sent April 29, 2019 at 1417

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on October 30, 2024 at 2251