Area 3 & 4 Fishery Notice

Fishery Notice of interest appeared late yeasterday. This one announces yet another opening ( #7) in Area 3 Nass with chum salmon going to non-retention, non-possession in sub-area 12.
And the second portion announces that Area 4 Skeena will not be opened due to continuing low sockeye numbers. Of special note is the announcement of an observer program in effect for gillnetters in Area 3. This is very positive news. Kudos to DFO for implementing such a program.


Area 3
Gill nets open 16 hours, 06:00 hours to 22:00 hours Monday July 13 in Subareas 3-2, a portion of 3-3 (closed within one nautical mile of the shore of Wales Island), 3-4, a portion of 3-7 (closed within one nautical mile of the shore of Wales Island and within 0.5 nautical miles of the shore of Pearse Island), 3-11, a portion of 3-12 (closed within 0.5 nautical miles of the shore of Pearse Island), 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.# 2009-NCSAL-011
Subarea 3-12 is now closed to the retention and possession of Chum salmon. All Chum salmon must be released to the water with the least possible harm. If a vessel has Chum aboard from another sub-area, those fish must be offloaded prior to fishing in 3-12.
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 stocks 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.

Gill netters should be aware that there is currently an at-sea observer program in operation in Area 3. Vessels that are requested to take an observer on board shall do so, in accordance with regulation.

Area 4
Currently, the Skeena Sockeye run size is not large enough to conduct a commercial fishery. Run size will be monitored on a daily basis. Announcements could be made on short notice if escapement increases. If needed, any announcement will be made prior to noon on any given day for a fishery the following day.