Fishery Notice

Fisheries and Ocean Canada is soliciting comments on the DRAFT 2022/23 Food & Bait and Special Use Pacific Herring Commercial Plans. Following the comment period, these plans will be included as appendices in the full 2022/2023 Pacific Herring Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP), which will also be available for review and comment.

The plans can be downloaded directly at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hmgrpfbuaa8clbe/AAABRpz7m31H625OKeY-5_G0a?dl=0

Alternatively, the plans can be obtained by contacting the lead fishery managers, as noted below.

The 2022/23 Food and Bait and Special Use Pacific Herring fisheries are anticipated to open on November 20, 2022, delayed from the typical fishery opening date of November 7. Food and Bait and Special Use opportunities are provided in the Strait of Georgia only.

The Special Use and Food and Bait fishery quota will be part of the overall allocation for the Strait of Georgia. Fisheries will not proceed until the overall TAC for the Strait of Georgia has been determined. Changes to the distribution of quota amongst fisheries may occur in-season but will be accounted for in the overall Strait of Georgia quota decisions provided in the consolidated 2022/23 Pacific Herring Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. 

DFO has received requests from a number of First Nations to maintain closures in Area 17S, 18 and Subarea 29-5, as well as a request to formally close Area 15 to the Special Use fishery. The Herring Industry Advisory Board (HIAB) has requested to have access to more areas, including Subarea 29-5. All requests will be considered before finalizing the Food and Bait and Special Use plans for 2022/23.

As provided in the Draft Food and Bait Commercial Plan, each eligible seine applicant will have an equal share of the quota in the Strait of Georgia Area. Any in season quota adjustments will be provided by way of Fishery Notice and will be in effect at the times, areas, and levels specific in the fishery notice.

Details regarding the Food and Bait and Special Use herring licensing process will be provided in a separate fishery notice. 

The development of the consolidated 2022/23 Pacific Herring IFMP and associated appendices will be undertaken over the upcoming months with a target date for release of the consolidated draft IFMP in late November. Amendments to the Food and Bait or Special Use Commercial Plans, including final catch targets, will be reflected in the consolidated draft IFMP. 

Please provide any comments on the draft plans to the lead fishery managers below, by end of day on Wednesday, November 16, 2022:

Food & Bait:
Jim Meldrum - (250)895-0473
Email: james.meldrum@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Special Use: 
Marisa Keefe - (604) 354-0352 
Email: marisa.keefe@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Please contact Marisa if you require an additional method of providing feedback.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Marisa Keefe, 604-354-0352 or marisa.keefe@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1172
Sent October 17, 2022 at 1418

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 17, 2024 at 2324