Fishery Notice

Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Clam - Intertidal
Subject:
FN1293-COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Intertidal Butter Clams - Area G - Area 12 - Opening November 16, 2016.


The commercial intertidal butter clam fishery opens at 01:00 hours November 16, 
2016 to 07:00 hours November 21, 2016 (5 tides) in the following Areas;

That portion of Subarea 12-39 South of a line drawn at Sharp Point on Broughton 
Island at (50° 47.467'N, 126° 36.090' W) proceeding westerly down Fife Sound 
into Nowell Channel intersecting the boundary with PFMA 12-7 at (50° 45.006' N, 
126° 47.224' W).

Variation Order # 2016-521

Note: This Commercial butter clam opening excludes that portion of 12-39 along 
the shoreline of Broughton Island such as Deep Harbour and Cullen Harbour.

Subareas are described in the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations.

Permanent closed areas include: 
Health Bay; Fly and Insect Islands; Monday Anchorage; Blunden Passage; Betty 
Cove; the intertidal foreshore of Village Island between Warren Bluff and the 
western entrance to Canoe Pass.

Harvesters are advised to confirm the buyers have a market for all butter clams 
harvested before participating in this opening.  Only harvesters with a 
commercial clam licence and a Fisher Registration card are authorized to 
participate in this fishery.  

Littleneck clam fishing opportunities will remain closed at this time due to 
apparent low densities. Comments from fish harvesters on the abundance and 
strength of Native Littleneck stocks observed in the area are requested.

Information on the specific contamination closure areas can be obtained on our 
website at:

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/contamination/biotox/index-eng.htm 

For additional information fishers should consult the 2016/2018 Intertidal Clam 
Integrated Fishery Management Plan, 2016 Commercial Harvest Plan, and the local 
DFO office for the specific closure area descriptions, sewage contamination 
closures and detailed fishing plan.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
David Fogtmann (250) 339-3799

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1293
Sent November 15, 2016 at 1532