Fishery Notice

This notice announces the opening of the demonstration fishery for Chum Salmon for Cowichan Tribes in Area 18. The most recent assessment information for the Cowichan River indicates that target escapement of 160,000 Chum will likely be achieved in the next day.

This demonstration fishery is part of the Commercial Salmon Allocation Framework (CSAF) and was included in the 2024/2025 IFMP. This demonstration fishery is being conducted by Cowichan Tribes. There are currently 2 vessels licenced with a total allowable catch for this fishery of 5,000 Chum.

Effective November 5, 2024, the Cowichan Tribes demonstration fishery will open at 1200 hr until 1800 hr, and continue daily for 12 hours from 06:00hrs until 18:00hrs until November 12, 2024 in the areas noted below:

Subarea 18-8.

A portion of 18-7 northerly of a line from Musgrave Point at 48 degrees  44.900 minutes north, 123 degrees 33.135 minutes west, to a point/light at Separation Point at 48 degrees 44.578 minutes north, 123 degrees 34.213 minutes west, to the square white boundary sign/light at a point on Saltspring Island at 48 degrees 45.992 minutes north, 123 degrees 33.777 minutes west, to a square white boundary sign on Vancouver Island at 48 degrees 46.179 minutes north 123 degrees 34.653 minutes west. 

A portion of 18-7 southerly of a line from Musgrave Point at 48 degrees  44.900 minutes north, 123 degrees 33.135 minutes west, to a point/light at Separation Point at 48 degrees 44.578 minutes north, 123 degrees 34.213 minutes west, and northerly of a line from the point at Cape Keppel at 48 degrees 42.972 minutes north, 123 degrees 30.079 minutes west to Hatch Point at 48 degrees 41.636 minutes north, 123 degrees 32.109 minutes west. There is a 1/2 mile radius boundary in affect at Cherry Point and a 1/4 mile ribbon boundary along the shoreline from the point near Wilcuma Marina at 48 degrees 44.143 minutes north, 123 degrees 35.610 minutes west, to Cherry Point.

The target species in this fishery is Chum salmon. Bycatch of Pink salmon is permitted. There will be non-retention of Sockeye, Coho, Chinook and Steelhead.

Seine:
The minimum bunt mesh size is 100 mm. Brailing and sorting your catch prior to placing fish in the hull is mandatory. Operating revival tanks are a requirement in this fishery. The use of power skiffs is permitted.  

Gill net:
The minimum mesh size is 149 mm (5 and 7/8 in). The maximum net depth is 90 meshes. The maximum hang ratio 3:1. Corkline to web distance minimum 0 cm, maximum 2 m. The Area E Harvest Committee has recommended that all fishers mark their corkline with 5 evenly spaced buoys to make their net more visible. Operating revival tanks are a requirement in this fishery.

NOTICE TO ALL FISHERS:
This fishery occurs in a very busy port and all efforts and attempts should be made to avoid fishing in established vessel traffic lanes, including BC Ferries routes, to minimize interactions with other vessels. Vessels are to standby on Marine Channel 16 and 78. 

NOTES AND REMINDERS:

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).

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. In May, the Government Of Canada shared the 2024 and 2025 management measures to be implemented this spring and summer that help address the key threats of reduced prey availability (primarily Chinook salmon) and acoustic and physical disturbance. These measures include salmon fishery closures, Interim Sanctuary Zones that restrict vessels from entering (including fishing), Speed Restricted Zones that restrict vessels to a maximum of 10 knots in designated areas (including fishing), minimum approach distances, and a number of voluntary measures including to stop fishing (do not haul gear) and reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass, and a voluntary speed reduction zone in Tumbo Channel. 

For more information about the 2024 management measures, please visit https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales or contact the Marine Mammal Team at DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1195
Sent November 7, 2024 at 1109

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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 June 10, 2026 at 0104