Fishery Notice

The Area D gill net fishery in Alberni Inlet opens for 12 hours from 08:00 
hours to 20:00 hours Thursday September 15th, 2016 in the following area 
(Sproat Narrows to the Somass River Mouth):
 -  that portion of Subarea 23-1 south of a line commencing at a boundary sign 
located at 49 degrees 14.190 minutes north latitude and 124 degrees 50.230 
minutes west longitude then through the southern most point of Hoik Island then 
to the southern most flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River then 
due east to the opposite shore. 
 
Variation Order No. 16-Sal-23-GN-22

All gill nets are required to be a maximum length of 183 metres long, minimum 
mesh size 100 mm, maximum mesh size 171 mm, maximum depth 90 meshes, maximum 
hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance minimum 0 cm, maximum 2.0 m. 
Conventional multi-strand web or six-strand Alaska-twist web, or a combination 
of the two may be used.

The target species is coho, incidentally caught chinook and pink may be 
retained.  Chum, sockeye, and steelhead may not be retained.

There is a possibility of another opening Friday Sept 16, 2016, depending on 
catch rates.  The announcement will be made on the grounds on VHF radio, on 
channel 78A, by DFO Resource Management. 
  
Fishers participating in this fishery should read their licence conditions 
carefully.

New for 2016

Please note there is a licence condition change specific to Area 23 gill net 
fisheries. 

In order to avoid collisions with gill nets by transiting vessels, four (4) 
additional buoys (floats) that are white or yellow in colour and at least 60 cm 
in circumference must be attached to the gill net equidistantly between the buoy
(s) marking either end of the gill net. Please refer to your 2016/2017 
conditions of licence for complete requirements. Fishery Notice 0492 outlines 
all new changes for fishers in 2016-17. 

Please notify the local DFO office or patrol vessel the location of any 
abandoned or entangled nets.  A local diver has volunteered to remove the nets 
at no charge.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. 

Fishers are requested to avoid fishing among birds and not to run the line 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 patrol vessel 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@canada.ca . Your names and vessel names do 
not need to be identified or included.
          
The 24 hour toll-free phone-in line for fisheries notices is 1-866-431-3474.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mike Spence, Resource Manager, Port Alberni (250) 720-4440

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0991
Sent September 13, 2016 at 1601

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