More Skeena Gillnet Openings

Category(s):

COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0702-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net - Area C - Areas 4 & 5 - Opening

AREA 4/5 SELECTIVE GILL NET FISHERY

AREA 4
Gill nets open 15 hours 06:00 hours to 21:00 hours Thursday, August 11 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-044.



AREA 5
Gill nets open 15 hours 06:00 hours to 21:00 hours Thursday, August 11 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-045.

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.