Fishery Notice

The in-season forecast for the terminal Conuma Chinook return has been upgraded from the pre-season forecast to 36,000 which is in the "Abundant" management zone. 

Gill nets open for 4 hours, commencing 21:00 hours August 12, 2021 until 01:00 hours August 13, 2021 with the possibility of an extension in the following areas:

- A portion of Subarea 25-4 northerly of a line from Argonaut Point (49 degrees 43.248 minutes North by 126 degrees 29.479 minutes West) to the southernmost point on the island at the mouth of Galiano Bay (49 degrees 42.714 minutes North by 126 degrees 28.427 minutes West) then directly across to the Vancouver Island shore at 49 degrees 42.648 minutes North by 126 degrees 28.520 minutes West; and south-easterly of a line in Hisnit Inlet beginning near the entrance to Valdes Bay, located at a point at 49 degrees 43.900 minutes North by 126 degrees 29.633 minutes West then drawn south-westerly to the opposite shore to a point located at 49 degrees 43.710 minutes North by 126 degrees 30.336 minutes West.

- A portion of Subarea 25-5 at the head of Tlupana Inlet southerly of a line beginning near a point located at 49 degrees 46.768 minutes North by 126 degrees 28.827 minutes West then drawn easterly to the opposite shore to a point located at 49 degrees 46.679 minutes North by 126 degrees 27.351 minutes West; and westerly of a line in Nesook Bay beginning at a point located at 49 degrees 46.209 minutes North by 126 degrees 24.997 minutes West then drawn southerly to the opposite shore to a point located at 49 degrees 45.590 minutes North by 126 degrees 25.009 minutes West.

The target species is Chinook; Chum, Sockeye, Pink, Coho and Steelhead may not be retained. 

Open to gill nets with a minimum mesh size of 149 mm (6.0"). Gillnets with a maximum depth of ninety (90) meshes are permitted a maximum mesh size of 165 mm (6.5"). Gill nets with a depth of 60 meshes have no maximum mesh size.
 
All gill nets are required to be a maximum of 183 m long (600'), a maximum hang ratio of 3:1, and a cork-line to web distance minimum of 0 cm and maximum of 2.0 m.
 
Note: The intent of the mesh size restrictions for this opening is to allow gill nets with mesh sizes of 149 to 165 mm (6.0" to 6.5") to use 90 meshes. This is to increase the catch of smaller, typically male, Chinook.

Variation Order No. 2021-SAL-25-GN-01


The target catch for this opening is 5,100 pieces.  An extension is possible and dependent on catch rates. Up to two additional night-time openings the week of August 12 are possible depending on catches and will be announced on the fishing grounds by VHF radio and a Fishery Notice will also be released.

Harvesters are requested to report their catch for the entire night-time opening rather than split over the two calendar days.

A large recreational fleet is expected during daylight hours in Tlupana Inlet. Vessel masters are asked to minimize their wake when travelling. The gill net fleet is also requested to mark nets with 5 additional white floats along the corkline to increase the visibility of nets to passing vessels.

In-season information was insufficient to result in a change to the Burman Chinook pre-season run size forecast of 3,000. There is no Area D allocation at this run size. An Area D fishery for Burman/Gold Chinook is not anticipated.

Lost fishing gear shall be reported within 24 hours of determining that gear has been lost. Lost Fishing Gear forms are 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. 

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. 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 (2018).

Environment and Climate Change Canada continues to monitor seabird by-catch in net fisheries. Please retain and provide all dead birds entangled in nets to DFO, or call the BC Wild Bird Mortality Line (1-866-431-2473). Label birds with date, time, location and vessel name. Alternatively, send a photograph of birds with a reference object (i.e. coin) to laurie.wilson@canada.ca. For more information contact Laurie Wilson (laurie.wilson@canada.ca, 604-862-8817).

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. 

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. 
   
The 24 hour toll-free phone-in line for fisheries notices is 1-866-431-3474.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Eamon Miyagi WCVI Salmon Resource Manager,(250)203-2543

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0768
Sent August 6, 2021 at 1500

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