Fishery Notice

STRAIT OF GEORGIA

AREA 17 North
Dorcas Pt/Schooner Cove-------Feb 27: NFF
Inner Nanoose-----------------Feb 27: NFF
Outer Nanoose-----------------Feb 27: 1,200 tons
Blunden to Neck Point---------Mar  1: 900 tons
Neck Pt to Dodd Narrows-------Feb 20: 375 tons
Flattop Isle./Thrasher Rk.----Feb 20: NFF

TOTAL AREA 17N: 2,475 tons (assessment incomplete)


AREA 14
Shelter Pt to Cape Lazo-------Feb 26: NFF
E.C. Denman Island------------Feb 26: 100 tons
Lambert Ch. to Chrome Is------Feb 26: 25,000 tons
Test: Feb  23, Denman Isle set on 200 tons at Norris Rks 0.0%;18.1cm; 64.7m:71.0f; 1-9-61-0-10; (1.0:68.9)
E.C. Hornby Is----------------Feb 26: NFF
Tribune Bay/Lower Hornby------Feb 26: 5,000 tons
Upper Baynes Sd---------------Feb 25: 75 tons
Lower Baynes Sd---------------Feb 26: 150 tons
Mapleguard to Nile Cr---------Feb 27: 200 tons
Test: Feb  24, Denman Isle set on 600 tons at 1NM N of Scallop Farm 0.01%;17.6cm; 72.0m:51.3f; 1-3-65-0-10; (1.0:66.4)
Nile Creek to French Cr-------Feb 27: 1,550
French Cr to NW Bay-----------Feb 27: 2,900 tons
Test: Feb  27, Denman Isle set on 500 tons at NW Bay 6.3%;19.4m; 49.7m:38.3f; 27-5-20-0-2; (23.8:97.1)

TOTAL AREA 14: 34,975 tons (assessment incomplete)


The DFO charter test vessel Denman Isle commenced a 27 day charter in the Strait of Georgia on Feb 20. Yesterday evening Denman Isle assessed from NW Bay to Neck Point (NFF) and returned to Nanoose to locate fish to set on this morning. Denman Isle set near Blunden Point this morning: set released, mostly juvenile fish, 900 tons in the area. Denman Isle will continue to assess north towards Ford Cove today. Management Platform Viking Spirit commenced a 15 day charter on Feb 26. Yesterday, Viking Spirit assessed Inner Nanoose (NFF) and worked north to French Creek (NFF), Maude Island, (1,200 ton), Edgell Banks (FOB), Schooner Cove (FOB), Yeo Island (FOB), and Mapleguard/Nile Point (NFF). This morning, Viking spirit assessed lower Baynes Sound (scratches) towards Lambert Channel/Chrome Island (estimated 15,000 tons; FOB) some small scattered schools in upper portions of Lambert Channel. Viking Spirit will continue to assess north up Lambert Channel towards the Horseshoe today, likely ending in Comox as winds increase this evening. 


FLIGHT PROGRAM
The first Strait of Georgia Herring Spawn Flight departed at 09:00am yesterday from Tyee Spit in Campbell River. There was no spawn observed. The flight headed south from Campbell River along the Vancouver Island shoreline to Qualicum Beach before circling back north to fly the east side of Hornby Island, back south through Lambert Channel, and north along the west shoreline of Denman Island before returning to Campbell River.  
 
The next flight is tentatively scheduled for Friday, March 3rd from Campbell River and is weather dependent.


PUBLIC HEALTH AND AQUACULTURE
Vessel masters are reminded that there are numerous clam and oyster leases in Baynes Sound. Disposal of human waste into waters near shellfish harvest areas creates potentially serious health risks for shellfish consumers. The discharge of untreated sewage into all Canadian inland waters and Canadian coastal waters within 3 nautical miles of land is banned under the Canada Shipping Act. Vessels participating in the Herring fishery are required to abide by sewage discharge regulations and are requested to minimize impact to aquaculture sites by utilizing marinas, anchoring in existing sanitary closures and minimizing congregations of vessels near shellfish aquaculture sites as much as possible.


FISH SAFE NOTICE
In an effort to recognize the importance of safety during the herring fishery, Fish Safe will be on the wharfs of Campbell River, Comox, Deep Bay, and French Creek between February 27 and March 4 from 10am - 2pm providing free inflatable PFD replacement cartridges to those fishermen whose cartridges have expired. 

March 1 - Deep Bay
March 2 - French Creek
March 3 - Comox
March 4 - French Creek

Check the wharf near you for the Fish Safe safety booth as there are limited quantities.


NANAIMO PORT AUTHORITY NOTICE
All CFVs looking to moor at any Nanaimo Port Authority facility must hail the Marina Office on VHF Channel 78 prior to docking and register in person at the marina office once docked. Vessel masters are advised that moorage is prohibited at the VVP (large concrete pier). The Marina has no available moorage for vessels greater than 49'.


TEST PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Please note: The primary objective of the Herring test seine vessel program is to collect Herring biological samples from the Strait of Georgia for stock assessment purposes. Herring location, abundance estimates, and biological samples are collected as part of the stock assessment program and does not cover all areas. Formal scientific estimates of stock abundance will be available in the post-season from dive surveys measuring egg deposition and biological samples collected from the test vessel(s). In-season tonnage estimates from soundings are not used to determine quotas, however sounding estimates and roe quality data can be used by Fishery Managers and harvesters to inform fishery implementation. No test/sample fish will be retained for sale.


DEFINITIONS
Fish on bottom (FOB): Herring too close to bottom to quantify
Miles: Nautical miles for this bulletin
NFF: No fish found
Scratches: Herring present in small schools 1 to 2 tons
Skimmer: Herring spread out near the surface, difficult to quantify
Washed out spawn: spawn that is coming to an end

TEST SET CODE: Date; Location; roe yield; fish size; males:females; #1-#2-#3-#spwaned-#juvenile; (roe weight g:fish weight g)

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jim Meldrum - james.meldrum@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0185
Sent March 1, 2023 at 1018

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 May 21, 2024 at 1330