Fishery Notice

The Area D gillnet fishery in Alberni Inlet opens for 12 hours from 08:00 hours 
to 20:00 hours Wednesday, September 21, 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-26

Maximum gillnet length 183 metres 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.
 
No further extensions are expected. The potential for any additional fisheries 
for Somass coho will be discussed at the Thursday Area 23 Roundtable meeting.

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 gillnet 
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 2016/2017.

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 - FN1020
Sent September 20, 2016 at 1620

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 11, 2024 at 2144