Commercial Openings

DFO is announcing more commercial openings today:
First is another targetted chinook opening for the Skeena rivermouth in Area 4

Area 4
Gill nets open 16 hours, 06:00 to 22:00 Friday Jul 11 in a portion of Subarea 4-12 east of a line running from a point 0.35 nautical miles southwest of Georgy Pt to 54 degrees 5 minutes 30 seconds north latitude and 130 degrees 15 minutes west longitude, thence northward to Hazel Pt, and east of a line running from Soar Pt to Leer Pt; and 4-15. Min mesh 203 mm. Max depth 60 meshes. Max hang ratio 3:1. Corkline to web distance min 0 cm max 45 CM. V.O.# 2008-NCSAL-014

The target species in Area 4 is Skeena Chinook. Gill net fisheries are being conducted with non-retention non-possession of coho, chum, & steelhead. Fishermen are required to release all steelhead, chum, and coho to the water with the least possible harm. Operating revival boxes are mandatory and may be used to revive fish prior to release.

And the other is another Nass sockeye opening in sections of Area 3:
Area 3
Gill nets open 16 hours 06:00 to 22:00 Monday Jul 14 in Subareas 3-2, a portion of 3-3 outside a half mile ribbon boundary off the shore of Wales Island, 3-4, a portion of 3-7 outside a half mile ribbon boundary off the shore of Wales and Pearse Islands, 3-11, 3-13, & 3-17. Max mesh 137 mm, max depth 60 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 0 cm max 45 cm; or, max depth 90 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 1.2 m, max 1.5 m. If using 90 mesh net, every fifth cork on corkline must be red or another distinctive colour (not white). V.O.# 2008-NCSAL-009

The target species in Area 3 is Nass sockeye. Gill net fisheries are being conducted with non-retention non-possession of coho & steelhead. There are a number of weak Chinook and chum stock in Area 3 that are currently in the rebuilding phase. Fishers are requested to release all live Chinook and chum to the water with the least possible harm. Operating revival boxes are mandatory and may be used to revive fish prior to release.

And the first seine opening in Area 3 targetting pinks and Nass sockeye.
Area 3 Seines open 10 hrs 06:00 to 16:00 Mon Jul 14 in Subareas 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-7, 3-11, 3-13, & 3-17. Min bunt mesh 70 mm. V.O.# 2007-NCSAL-011
This is a Nass sockeye and pink directed fishery. Chinook, chum, coho, and steelhead mandatory release. Extensions will be based on the ratio of target species to chum.