Effective 00:01 hours Saturday July 8, 2017 until further notice the daily
quota for the tidal recreational fishery for sockeye salmon will be four (4)
sockeye per day in the following area:
That portion of Subarea 23-1 to 23-11 from the surfline (Cape Beale to
Amphitrite Point) shoreward to a line in Alberni Harbour near the mouth of the
Somass River beginning at a boundary sign Located at 49 degrees 14.190 north
latitude and 124 degrees 50.230 west longitude then through the southern most
point of Hoik Island then to the flashing green light at the mouth of the
Somass River then due east to a boundary sign on the opposite shore.
Open daily from 05:00 hours to 22:00 hours effective July 8, 2017 until further
notice, the daily quota for sockeye salmon in the tidal portion of the Somass
River will be two (2) sockeye per day in the following area:
That portion of Subarea 23-1 from the tidal boundary signs at Paper Mill Dam on
the Somass River downstream to a line located at a boundary sign in upper
Alberni Harbour situated at 49 degrees 14.190 north latitude and 124 degrees
50.230 west longitude then through the southern most point of Hoik Island then
to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River then due east to a
boundary sign on the opposite shore except for:
Paper Mill Dam Pool is closed to all angling. This area includes that portion
of the Somass River from signs located near the bottom of the rapids
immediately north of Papermill Dam Pool, then downstream to boundary signs
located on both sides of the Somass River approximately 60 metres downstream
from the northern tip of the unnamed island directly below Paper Mill Dam Pool.
Variation Order # 2017-350
On July 6, 2017 Department staff met with the Area 23 Harvest Committee to
discuss fishery planning for Area 23 Somass Sockeye. The attendees at this
meeting were representatives from the Tseshaht, Hupacasath and Maa-nulth First
Nations and stakeholders from commercial and recreational fishery committees.
The pre-season forecast for Somass sockeye was 172,000. A run reforecast was
provided today of 300,000. There continues to be considerable uncertainty
around run timing as well as a very low proportion of age 4 fish that usually
provide a significant contribution to the later part of the run. As a result,
a continued precautionary approach is being taken.
At the meeting, the Area 23 Harvest Committee recommended increasing the daily
limit in the tidal recreational sockeye fishery and opening the tidal portion
of the Somass River.
The Somass Sockeye in-season stock assessment program will be in place in 2017.
This program collects escapement, test fishing, catch and environmental
information on a weekly basis. This information is collected and a reforecast
will be made weekly every Thursday for the duration of the season. This may
lead to further recreational sockeye opportunities if conditions warrant.
Fishers are reminded that the Uchuklesit Inlet finfish closure as described in
FN578 is in effect.
Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal waters of British
Columbia.
The term "marked" means a hatchery fish that has a healed scar in place of the
adipose fin.
Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery
program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and
coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for
coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program
toll free at (866) 483-9994 for further information.
Anglers are advised to check
http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures
and other recreational fishing information.
Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licences can be purchased via any computer connected
to the internet at
https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm or by using Google search key words "Recfish Licence".
Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line
at (800) 465-4336.
For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at
1-(866)431-FISH(3474).
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Port Alberni office at 250 720 4440 or
visit our website at
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0635
Sent July 7, 2017 at 1621
Author
Topic: Port Alberni Sockeye (Read 5082 times)