Fishery Notice
Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject:
FN0800-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Chinook - Portions of Area 14 - Management Measures - Effective August 7, 2020
To address conservation concerns for at-risk Fraser River Chinook stocks, DFO is continuing precautionary reductions in commercial, recreational, and First Nation's fisheries to support conservation and promote recovery of these stocks.
This Fishery Notice details pilot Chinook recreational fishery management measures outside the migratory path of at-risk Fraser River Chinook stocks for the 2020 fishing season in portions of Area 14. These opportunities are contingent on regular data collection (DNA, CWT, and catch reporting) and will be evaluated post-season.
Additional opportunities will continue to be considered around hatchery systems as in-season abundance is assessed.
Effective immediately until 23:59 hours August 31, 2020, the daily limit of Chinook Salmon is two (2) per day, with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook in the following waters:
Subareas 14-7, 14-8, 14-9, 14-10, 14-15, and
Those portions of 14-4 and 14-5 southeast of a line from Flora Islet Light (49°31.0552N, 124°34.5732W) to French Creek Breakwater Light (49°21.0972N, 124°21.2782W).
Reminder: Subarea 14-11 remains non-retention until 23:59 hours August 15.
Effective 00:01 hours August 16 until 23:59 hours August 31, 2020, the daily limit of Chinook Salmon is two (2) per day, with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook in Subarea 14-11.
Reminder: The minimum size limit for Chinook in Area 14 is 62 cm.
Variation Order: 2020-RFQ-0407
Fishers are also reminded there may be local finfish closures and RCA's not listed in this notice that remain in effect and to check the area regulations for areas being fished.
Coast-wide Recreational Fisheries:
For the recreational fishery, the annual aggregate limit for Chinook salmon is ten (10) coast-wide in all tidal waters.
Variation Order: 2020-RFQ-190
Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.
The term "hatchery marked" means a 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 labeling 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 1-866-483-9994 for further information.
Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are currently in effect and are closed to all fin-fishing. Descriptions of RCAs, other closures such as finfish closed areas and salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at:
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
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 1-800-465-4336 or by email at
DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at
1-866-431-FISH (3474).
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Erika Watkins, ECVI Recreational Fisheries Manager,
Erika.Watkins@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0800
Sent August 7, 2020 at 1435