Fishery Notice

The Area C gill net fishery will open Tuesday July 16, 2019 from 06:00 hours to 
22:00 hours in a portion of the following areas:

Outside of Area 3:

That portion of 3-7 south of a line from the southern-most point of Pearse 
Island (54 46.1109 N 130 24.8919 W) south east to the northern most point of 
Truro Island (54 44.2500 N 130 21.4724 W) thence due east to the mainland 
shore. North of a line from Wales Pt. (54 42.2696 N 130 28.6931 W)east to John 
Pt. (54.40.2096N 13023.5844 W).

Maximum mesh 137 mm. Maximum depth 60 meshes, Maximum hang ratio 3:1, Corkline 
to web distance minimum 0 cm maximum 45 cm; or, maximum depth 90 meshes, 
maximum hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance minimum 0.76 meters to a 
maximum 1.5 meters.

The target species in this fishery is Nass Sockeye.

Outside Area 3 possession rules:
Sockeye, Pink, and Chum retention permitted. This gill net fishery is being 
conducted with non-possession and non-retention of Coho, Chinook  and 
steelhead. These species may not be aboard a vessel that is engaged in fishing 
unless they are being revived in the revival tank immediately prior to release. 

Variation Order number: 2019-NCSAL-015


Inside of Area 3: 

That portion of subarea 3-7 north of line from Crag Pt. (54 47.9317 N 130 
21.0765 W) southeast to Nob It. (54 44.7164 N 130 20.1038 W) thence due east to 
mainland shore. Southeast of 0.5 nautical mile off the south eastern shore of 
Pearse Island (this is a one 0.5 nm ribbon boundary off of Pearse Island.

Subarea 3-9:

That portion of subarea 3-12 of 0.5 nautical miles of the south eastern shore 
of Pearse Island (this is a 0.5 mile ribbon boundary off Pearse Island).

Maximum mesh 137 mm. Maximum depth 60 meshes, Maximum hang ratio 3:1, Corkline 
to web distance minimum 0 cm maximum 45 cm; or, maximum depth 90 meshes, 
maximum hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance minimum 0.76 meters to a 
maximum 1.5 meters.

Inside Area 3 possession rules:
Sockeye and Pink retention permitted.  This gill net fishery is being conducted 
with non-possession and non-retention of Coho, Chum, Chinook and steelhead. 
These species may not be aboard a vessel that is engaged in fishing unless they 
are being revived in the revival tank immediately prior to release. 

Variation Order number: 2019-NCSAL-16


The target species in this fishery is Nass Sockeye. 

Harvesters are required to offload before moving from the Chum retention area 
to the Chum non-retention area. Future Chum retention opportunities are 
dependent on fleet compliance.

Please note that all salmon gill net fisheries have requirements for recording 
and reporting. Refer to your 2019/2020 Area C Conditions of Licence for 
complete details.

Operating revival boxes are mandatory and all prohibited species captured 
incidentally must be either revived in the revival tank and released, or 
released directly to the water with the least possible harm.

Lost fishing gear shall be reported within 24 hours of determining that gear 
has been lost to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by completing and submitting the 
Lost Fishing Gear form available online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-
peches/commercial commerciale/index-eng.html. For more information, refer to 
your area conditions of licence. 

Please note changes to transporting of salmon.  Please see Part III of your 
conditions of licence for additional details.  Instructions for the Salmon 
Transfer Log, and the Salmon Transfer Log may be found on our web page in 
section 'Additional Licensing Services Forms' at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/licence-commercial-eng.html.

As of June 1st, vessels throughout the critical habitat of the Southern 
Resident killer whale, including recreational boats and commercial vessels, 
will be required to stay at least 400 metres away from all killer whales. 
Vessels are also asked to reduce their speed to less than 7 knots if they are 
within 1,000 metres of killer whales in certain areas, and to turn off their 
echo sounders and turn engines to neutral idle if a whale is within 400 metres.

As required by the US Marine Mammal Protection Act regulations, all countries 
exporting fish and fish products to the United States must comply with the 
updated import provisions which include requirements to report and record all 
incidental fishery-related interactions with marine mammals. As such, Canada 
has committed to updating license conditions for all marine commercial and 
First Nation economic fisheries to include reporting requirements for 
interactions with marine mammals. The link to the online National form and 
instructions for filling in and reporting can be found here: http://www.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-rapport/page01-eng.html.
 
For more information, please see FN0388.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is monitoring seabird by-catch to 
determine potential impact on bird populations under current fishing effort and 
bird numbers. Fishers are requested to submit all dead birds entangled in nets 
to ECCC for species confirmation and DNA analysis to determine the colony of 
origin.

Please call your local charter patrol to organize pick-up, drop carcasses off 
at a local DFO office, or contact ECCC directly by calling the Wild Bird 
Mortality Reporting Line 1-866-431-2473 (BIRD). Handle birds with gloves, 
double bag dead birds. Label bag with date, time, location, fishery opening and 
vessel name (Skipper name isn't needed). Alternatively, please send photographs 
of birds with a reference object such as a coin, and the date, time, location, 
fishery opening and vessel name to laurie.wilson@canada.ca. Questions: contact 
Laurie Wilson (laurie.wilson@canada.ca, 604-862-8817).

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 should be advised that whales can be encountered in the fishing area. 
Fishers should take precautionary measures to avoid fishing near whales to 
avoid potential contact with fishing gear. If a whale becomes entangled in 
fishing gear, fishers should immediately call the Observe, Record, Report (ORR) 
line at 1-800-465-4336. Fishers are advised not to attempt to free the whale of 
the fishing gear as this can pose a serious threat to the safety of the fisher 
and the animal. 
 
NOTICE TO ALL GILL NET FISHERS:

Vessel operators are reminded to keep wake and wash to a minimum in Prince 
Rupert Harbour, Porpoise Harbour and Venn Passage, and specifically the Digby 
Island and Metlakatla dock areas.

Vessel operators are reminded to display proper navigation lights and have them 
turned on from sunset to sunrise.  Failure to display proper navigation lights 
is a contravention of the Collision Regulations.

Throughout the fishery opening, on-ground sampling technicians will be randomly 
collecting salmon bio-samples for stock assessment purposes.  Your cooperation 
is appreciated.

Fishers are reminded that a mandatory logbook and phone-in program is in place. 
Note that a phone report is required before starting to fish 
and for all fishing activity even if no fish are caught. Failure to report zero 
catches may result in over estimation of total catch. See your conditions of 
licence for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Corey Martens - 250 627-3404

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0641
Sent July 11, 2019 at 1634

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