Fishery Notice

Effective immediately until further notice the following area in the tidal 
portion of the Somass River is closed to all fishing: 

That portion of Subarea 23-1 from the tidal boundary signs at Paper Mill Dam on 
the Somass River downstream to a line commencing at a boundary sign in upper 
Alberni Harbour situated at 49 degrees 14.190 minutes north latitude and 124 
degrees 50.230 minutes west longitude then through the southernmost point of 
Hoik Island thence to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River 
thence due east to a boundary sign on the opposite shore.  

Variation Order # 2017-235


The pre-season forecast for Somass Sockeye is 172,000.  At this runsize there 
is no available recreational catch.   At a meeting on April 6, 2017 the Area 23 
Harvest Committee recommended a closure to sockeye fishing for all sectors 
consistent with the Area 23 fishery plan.  

It also recommended a finfish closure in the tidal portion of the Somass River 
to protect migrating sockeye.   This area is vulnerable for sockeye 
interception and a closure was recommended to prevent release mortality and 
address enforcement concerns. 

The Somass Sockeye in season stock assessment program will be in place in 2017. 
This program collects escapement, test fishing, catch and environmental 
information on a weekly basis.  This information is collected and the first in 
season reforecast will be made on June 29th.  This process will continue weekly 
through the sockeye season and, may lead to recreational sockeye opportunities 
if conditions warrant.


Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal waters of British 
Columbia.  

The term "marked" means a hatchery fish that has a healed scar in place of the 
adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery 
program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and 
coho salmon.  Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for 
coast-wide stock assessment.  Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program 
toll free at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures 
and other recreational fishing information.

Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licences can be purchased via any computer connected 
to the internet at 
https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm 
or by using Google search key words "Recfish Licence".

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation?  If so, please call 
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line 
at (800) 465-4336.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 
1-(866)431-FISH (3474)


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
 
Contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Port Alberni office at 250-720-4440 or 
visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0394
Sent April 24, 2017 at 1542

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 19, 2024 at 1050