Fishery Notice

Effective 00:01 hours Saturday July 8, 2017 until further notice the daily 
quota for the tidal recreational fishery for sockeye salmon will be four (4) 
sockeye per day in the following area:

That portion of Subarea 23-1 to 23-11 from the surfline (Cape Beale to 
Amphitrite Point) shoreward to a line in Alberni Harbour near the mouth of the 
Somass River beginning at a boundary sign Located at 49 degrees 14.190 north 
latitude and 124 degrees 50.230 west longitude then through the southern most 
point of Hoik Island then to the flashing green light at the mouth of the 
Somass River then due east to a boundary sign on the opposite shore. 

Open daily from 05:00 hours to 22:00 hours effective July 8, 2017 until further 
notice, the daily quota for sockeye salmon in the tidal portion of the Somass 
River will be two (2) sockeye per day in the following area:

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

Paper Mill Dam Pool is closed to all angling.  This area includes that portion 
of the Somass River from signs located near the bottom of the rapids 
immediately north of Papermill Dam Pool, then downstream to boundary signs 
located on both sides of the Somass River approximately 60 metres downstream 
from the northern tip of the unnamed island directly below Paper Mill Dam Pool.

Variation Order # 2017-350


On July 6, 2017 Department staff met with the Area 23 Harvest Committee to 
discuss fishery planning for Area 23 Somass Sockeye. The attendees at this 
meeting were representatives from the Tseshaht, Hupacasath and Maa-nulth First 
Nations and stakeholders from commercial and recreational fishery committees.  
  
The pre-season forecast for Somass sockeye was 172,000.  A run reforecast was 
provided today of 300,000.  There continues to be considerable uncertainty 
around run timing as well as a very low proportion of age 4 fish that usually 
provide a significant contribution to the later part of the run.  As a result, 
a continued precautionary approach is being taken.

At the meeting, the Area 23 Harvest Committee recommended increasing the daily 
limit in the tidal recreational sockeye fishery and opening the tidal portion 
of the Somass River.

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 a reforecast 
will be made weekly every Thursday for the duration of the season.  This may 
lead to further recreational sockeye opportunities if conditions warrant.

Fishers are reminded that the Uchuklesit Inlet finfish closure as described in 
FN578 is in effect. 


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 - FN0635
Sent July 7, 2017 at 1621

Return to Main Menu

Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 18, 2024 at 0004