More Skeena Openings...DFO Caving to Commercial Fishing Industry

Looks like DFO is caving in to commercial fishing interests and sanctioning more Skeena openings. Here are announcements for 3 straight days of effort. DFO is basically giving the recreational steelhead sector the finger with these further openings....DFO just doesnt care one iota for steelhead.
Keep the emails to DFO coming....include your MP and MLA on the cc list.

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

Subject: FN0722-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net - Area C - Areas 4 & 5 - Opening
         
AREA 4 and 5 SELECTIVE GILL NET FISHERY

AREA 4

Gill nets open 15 hours 06:00 hours to 21:00 hours Monday, August 15 in
Subareas 4-5, 4-8, 4-9, 4-12, & 4-15.  Max mesh 137mm, max depth 60 meshes, max
hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 0cm, max 45cm; or, max depth 90
meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web distance min 1.2m, max 1.5m.  V..O.#
2011-NCSAL-050.

AREA 5

Gill nets open 15 hours 06:00 hours to 21:00 hours Monday, August 15 in Subarea
5-1. Max mesh 137mm, max depth 60 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1, corkline to web
distance min 0cm, max 45cm; or, max depth 90 meshes, max hang ratio 3:1,
corkline to web distance min 1.2m, max 1.5m.  V.O.# 2011-NCSAL-051.

In the Areas 4 and 5 selective gill net fishery, the following rules will be in
place:

1. Half length nets. Maximum net length will be 100 fathoms, or 187.5 meters.
It will not be acceptable to have a regular length net on your drum and only
set half. It will also not be acceptable to have both halves of the net on your
drum. Only one (half-length) net will be allowed on your drum or in the water.
2. 20 minute soak times. The maximum amount of time the net is allowed to be in
the water from the time it is completely set to the time it begins to be
retrieved is 20 minutes.  Note that this “soak time” is designed to equal a 40
minute time from when the first portion of the net enters the water to when the
last portion of the net leaves the water. Times will be monitored on the
grounds.
3. Fish handling. Gill net fishers are encouraged to handle prohibited species
with the greatest of care. Operating revival boxes are mandatory as in all gill
net fisheries. However, if the salmon is in a vigorous condition, it is best to
release it directly to the water rather than put it in the revival box. Fishers
are asked to use their discretion on which fish should go into the revival box
before they are then released to the water.
4. Reduced fishing area. In order to effectively monitor this selective
fishery, the fishing area will be reduced.
5. Observers: There will be observers present in the fishery. All vessel
masters must take an observer on board if requested to do so by a
representative of the Department, in accordance with the conditions of licence.

The commercial gill net fleet is reminded that the success of this selective
fishery is critical to their future access to Skeena sockeye.

Extensions and further fishing days will be directly dependant on compliance to
the above restrictions.

Areas 4 & 5 gill net fishery is directed towards Skeena sockeye, but pinks,
Chinooks and coho may be retained as well.

Note new non-possession rules:

All gill net fisheries in Areas 4 & 5 are being conducted with non-retention,
non-possession of chum & steelhead. None of these species may be aboard a
vessel that is engaged in fishing unless they are being revived in the revival
tank immediately prior to release.


Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
 Subject: FN0721-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine - Area A - Area 4 - Opening
         
Area 4 Sockeye

Seines open daylight hours only from 06:00 hours Saturday, Aug 13 to 22:00
hours Sunday, Aug 14 in Subareas 4-5, 4-8, 4-9, 4-12 seaward of a line from the
prominent point south of Tsum Tsadai Inlet to the red can buoy positioned
approx. 0.7 nautical miles south of Kitson Island to the red flashing light
west of Agnew Bank to the southernmost point of Coast Island thence true east
to Ridley Island, and west of a line from the westernmost point of Croasdaile
Island true north to Smith Island, and south of a line from Gamble Pt to Parry
Pt & 4-15 south of a line from Clara Pt To Hanmer Pt. Min bunt mesh 70 mm.
V.O.# 2011-NCSAL-052