Fishery Notice

This notice announces the opening of the demonstration fishery for Saanich Tribes in Area 19. The most recent assessment information for the Goldstream River indicates that target escapement of 15,000 Chum has been achieved.

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 Saanich Tribes. There may be both seine and gill net vessels licenced to participate, and the target catch for this fishery is 17.09% of the commercial catch.

Effective November 16, 2024, the Saanich Tribes demonstration fishery will open for 12 hours from 06:00hrs until 18:00hrs on November 14, 2024 in the areas noted below.

Subarea 19-7; a portion of 19-8 west of a line running southerly from Yarrow Point to Henderson Point to Willis Point on Saanich Peninsula, and east of a line running southerly from Whiskey Point to Verdier Point; Sub-Areas 19-10 and 19-11; and a portion of Subarea 19-12 north of a line from Christmas Point (48 degrees 30.886 minutes North and 123 degrees 32.633 minutes West) to a point of land on Saanich Peninsula at 48 degrees 30.900 minutes North and 123 degrees 32.128 minutes West.

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

Seines: 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.

Gillnets: 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.

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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact Andrea Haas, Resource Manager, by emailing andrea.haas@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1242
Sent November 15, 2024 at 1715

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on June 10, 2026 at 0103