Thought I would share this fisheries notice (there's another allowing troll)
for Area 29, which by the way
is closed for recreational fin fishing to protect SRKW. The only protection offered for SRKW is to avoid them (highlighted by me in the notice)
A dual standard? Evidence of systemic bias? Or is this to protect the economic viability of the commercial fleet?
Or is this simply DFO finally recognizing that you can establish a balance between measures to protect SRKW, and allowing careful fisheries that ensure economic opportunities are supported? Perhaps we are at a turning point, where DFO will afford the same approach to the Recreational fishery which BTW generates almost twice the actual economic value to Canada while utilizing a fraction of the available fish to accomplish those benefits.
Subject: FN1048-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine - Area B - Area 29 - Fraser River Sockeye ITQ Demonstration Fishery - Quota Increase - September 21, 2018
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN1048-COMMERCIAL -
Salmon: Seine - Area B - Area 29 - Fraser River Sockeye ITQ Demonstration Fishery - Quota Increase - September 21, 2018
In 2018, Area B seine Fraser River sockeye harvest opportunities will be
managed as an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) demonstration fishery and
will be based on available commercial TAC. Sufficient quota is required to
participate in any fishery opening listed below.
Vessel Masters are reminded that overages must be covered by a quota
reallocation within 24 hours of landing and validation, vessels are not
permitted to recommence fishing until all overages have been covered, and an
increase in the TAC cannot be used to cover an overage. The quota being
transferred to a vessel in an overage situation must be quota that was
available prior to the TAC increase. For further details refer to Appendix 7
of the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan.
The involvement of the Area B seine fleet in the Area 29 Gulf Sockeye fishery
is dependent on the Area B Seine Harvest Committee developing and implementing
a fishing plan that is aligned with coho impacts available for the fishery.
This approach limits the amount of ‘Boat Days’ to a target allocation of
approximately 75 Boat Days for the entire Area B fleet for the remaining 2018
Sockeye fishery.
This fishing opportunity is possible due to the cooperation between Fisheries
Management staff and the Area B Harvest Committee to actively manage this
weekly fishing plan. As a result, Area B vessel masters and vessels must have
a valid 2018 Area B Seine Licence and also be **designated by their
representative Working Group body** and **subsequently by the Area B Harvest
Committee** to participate in this fishery. This fishery will not proceed
should undesignated seine vessels attend or attempt to participate in this
fishery.
The number of vessels participating in this fishery is not limited, however
there is the requirement for observers in this fishery. If **four or fewer
vessels are participating in this fishery, all vessels must carry a certified
observer**. If five or more vessels are participating in this fishery, a
minimum of four vessels must carry a certified observer.
If fewer than four certified observers are available from the service provider
then approval to proceed with fewer than four certified observers is required
from the Resource Manager.
At this time the Area B cumulative individual quota in pieces for each Area B
licence is increased to 13,300 Sockeye salmon based on a share of 0.28411% and
a commercial TAC of 4,681,421 Sockeye. Each individual quota amount (in
pieces) will change if the available commercial TAC changes in-season and is
cumulative for the season. These commercial TACs are for the purpose of
calculating the individual quota amounts for Area B and H vessels only. The
vessel master must account for any fish caught to date and any reallocation
made.
Area 29:
Seines remains open to fishing from 06:00 hours until 21:00 hours daily until
further notice in Subareas 29-3, 29-4, 29-6, and 29-10 in waters no shallower
than 45 metres (approximately 27 fathoms). Minimum bunt mesh size 70 mm. The
use of power skiffs is permitted.
Vessel Masters are requested to avoid fishing in the vicinity of Killer Whales
when they are present in these areas.
V.O. 2018-STN-SN-007, 2018-STN-SN-008, 2018-STN-SN-009, 2018-STN-SN-010, 2018-
STN-SN-011
The available commercial Fraser River sockeye TAC will be distributed over the
course of the fishery (in increments) rather than all at once and will be
announced by fishery notice and adjusted if necessary following Fraser Panel
meetings (usually Tuesday and Friday) depending on abundance and stock
composition.
The vessel must have sufficient allocations (ITQ) of Sockeye salmon to
participate in this fishery. It is the responsibility of the vessel master to
cease fishing when the vessel quota for Fraser River Sockeye salmon is
achieved. For further details please refer to the guidelines for the 2018 ITQ
demonstration fishery which are available in Appendix 7 of the 2018 Integrated
Fisheries Management Plan for Southern BC at the following link. IFMP Southern:
http://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/40694306.pdf
For 2018 there is a new minimum approach distance for Killer Whales being 200m,
in all Canadian Fisheries waters in the Pacific Ocean and British Columbia. For
other whales, dolphins and porpoises the minimum approach distances is 100m.
