Fishery Notice Update

Fishery Notice just in from DFO. This one announces another gillnet opening in Area 3 (#8) and the continued delayed in opening Area 4 due to low Skeena sockeye numbers. Decision on Skeena Area 4 delayed until Thursday.
I guess DFO feels obliged to offer some fishing opportunity to the commercial sector, so they allow openings in Area 3 instead of in Area 4.

Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0509-Commercial - Salmon: Gill Net - Area C Opening - Areas 3, 4, 6 & 8

Area 3
Gill nets open 16 hours, 06:00 to 22:00 Tuesday July 14 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-018

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
Escapement levels indicate that the run appears to be smaller than anticipated,and so far no opportunity for a commercial fishery exists. Next announcement Thursday 2PM.