Catch Monitoring Pilot:
As per Fishery Notices 0385, 0492, and 0612, a catch monitoring pilot will be
implemented in Area D Gill Net fisheries targeting Fraser River sockeye in
2014. Key new elements of the catch monitoring pilot will include:
- 20 percent independent validation of landed catch by a Landing Observer
Service Provider.
- All fish must be landed at mandatory designated landing sites (including
designated packer vessels).
- The vessel must land all catch on board the vessel at the same time and
location. All fish holds must be emptied at each landing, except fish may be
retained on the vessel at the last landing of an opening.
- Prior to each landing, all catch must be recorded in the paper or electronic
harvest log. To clarify, a vessel master may record multiple harvest log
entries for a single day. The multiple harvest log entries for a single day
would then be summarized for the entire day and this summary would be reported
as the Daily Catch Report for that date to AMR by 08:00 hours the following
day.
- The vessel master must record a Landing (Offload) Report in the Comments
section of the paper harvest log with the landing location or name and VRN of
packer vessel, the company buying the fish, and date and time of landing.
- Vessel masters will be required to provide the Landing Observer Service
Provider (including Fishery Officer or Fishery Guardian) access to their
vessel, logbook and fish holds.
- A licence holder will be issued stickers (tabs) as part of their
participation in the catch monitoring program; the stickers (tabs) must be
displayed on each side of the vessel so that they are clearly visible from the
water.
Area D Gill Net licence eligibility holders, are reminded that if they intend
to fish in fisheries directed on Fraser River sockeye, they need to register
prior to the fishing season with the Landing Observer Service Provider that was
chosen by the Area D harvest committee to perform the required 20 percent catch
validation in this fishery. The Landing Observer Service Provider is J.O.
Thomas and Associates and they can be reached at 1-866-930-4000 between 06:00
hours and 18:00 hours seven days per week.
Fishermen are reminded that they are required to complete Fishing Activity
Reports as per the 2014-2015 Conditions of Area D Commercial Salmon Licence.
Fishing activity reports must be recorded in the harvest log and reported to
the Catch Reporting Service Provider (AMR at 1-888-387-0007). Vessel masters
using electronic harvest logs must submit this information by digital
transmission to the Salmon Fishery Database in a properly encoded electronic
mail message.
Designated landing sites will include:
§ Port Hardy: Government dock, Keltic Seafoods, Bear Cove dock,
Canfisco dock, Cove Fisheries, and Scarlet Point Seafoods
§ Port McNeil: Government dock
§ Sointula: Government dock
§ Alert Bay: Government dock
§ Kelsey Bay: Government dock
§ Quadra Island: Walcan Seafoods
§ Campbell River: Government dock and Discovery Harbour Marina
§ French Creek: French Creek Seafoods
§ Nanaimo: Government dock
§ Comox: Government dock
§ Pender Harbour: Government dock
§ Ganges Harbour: Government dock
§ Steveston: Steveston Seafood Auctions, and 7th Avenue Wharf
§ Albion/Maple Ridge: Sea Fresh
§ Richmond: Canfisco Plant, Blundell Seafoods, and Orca Seafoods
§ Vancouver: Canfisco Plant, Aero Trading Plant, West Pine Fisheries,
World Wide Fisheries, and Southside Processing
§ Delta: Lions Gate Fisheries and SM Products
Designated Packers will include the following vessels:
(Vessel Name, VRN, and Company)
Sable Lady 26018 J.S. McMillian
Katlyn 90616 French Creek Seafoods
Splendour 910059 French Creek Seafoods
Western Mist 24388 French Creek Seafoods
Wespak 90633 Areo Trading Co. Ltd
Ocean Mistress 23265 Areo Trading Co. Ltd
Summer's Retreat 23338 Areo Trading Co. Ltd
Kornat I 910134 HUB City Fisheries
Pacific Reefer 90676 HUB City Fisheries
Ocean Wonder 90954 Oceanside
Island Provider 29649 Scarlet Point Seafoods
Pacific Baron 24008 Walcan Seafoods
Pacific Nomad 23659 Walcan Seafoods
Ryuo II 91031 Walcan Seafoods
Silver Totem 27234 Sea Fresh Fish Ltd
Ryan D 24737 Sea Fresh Fish Ltd
Diligence 910406 Lions Gate Fisheries
Packer vessels must be able to facilitate an observer from the Landing Observer
Service Provider J.O. Thomas and Associates so they can perform the required 20
percent catch validation required in this fishery as described above. Packer
vessels that are not willing to take an observer onboard will be removed from
the designated packer list.
Notice to all Area D Gill Net fishermen:
1. Fishermen must be aware of the requirements set forth in the Conditions of
2014-15 Salmon Area D licence. It is the responsibility of the licence holder
and vessel master to review their current conditions of licence and to be aware
of all the requirements that are set forth. This includes both the mandatory
use of operational revival boxes and the reporting of daily catch (see below).
2. At the end of each fishing day prior to 08:00 hours of the next day or prior
to each landing, the vessel master must, as a condition of licence, record
their catch information in their Salmon Harvest Log and report their catch by
calling Archipelago Marine Research (AMR) at 1-888-387-0007. Vessel masters
must, prior to leaving for the fishing grounds, phone AMR and provide a start
fishing report and announce their intention to fish. Within 24 hours of the end
of a fishing trip and prior to commencing a subsequent fishing trip, the vessel
master shall phone in an End Fishing Report by calling AMR. Should a vessel
master decide not to fish after having obtained a Trip Identification Number
the vessel master shall phone in a Trip Cancellation Report. Vessel masters
using electronic harvest logs must submit this information by digital
transmission to the Salmon Fishery Database in a properly encoded electronic
mail message.
3. Vessel masters are reminded that test fishing vessels will be operating
during the fishery in Areas 12 and 13. In-season test fishing assessment
information in the marine approach areas is critical in estimating abundances
of returning Fraser River sockeye stocks and identifying available harvest
levels. Commercial fisheries must be structured and scheduled to ensure that
test fishing assessment information is not compromised. Priority access is
required for the seine test boats in the area where there are designated test
fishing locations.
4. Mooring in Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve will only be
permitted 24 hours prior to a legal opening. The West and East boundaries are
identified by a 4x8 foot white sign with 3x3 foot orange sign in the centre.
The location of the west boundary is 50 degrees 29.759 minutes North by 126
degrees 37.592 minutes West and the location of the East boundary is 50 degrees
29.107 minutes North by 126 degrees 30.365 minutes West.
5. Fishers are reminded it is an offence under Section 7 of the Marine Mammals
Regulations to disturb marine mammals. Fishers are advised to follow the Be
Whale Wise: Marine Wildlife Guidelines for Boaters, Paddlers and Viewers (BWW)
which are available from local Fisheries Offices or on-line at
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/view-
observer-eng.htm to avoid disturbing local killer whales and other marine
mammals.
6. Fishers are requested to retain all dead birds which are entangled and to
release live and unharmed birds by placing them in the water. Please check all
birds for metal bird bands (rings) on the leg. If a bird is banded please
contact Laurie Wilson with the band number and capture date and location at 1-
866-431-2473 or by the email below. Handle birds with gloves, double bag dead
birds and label each bird with date, time, and location and store them on ice.
Please call your local charter patrol to organize pick-up or drop them off at a
local DFO office. Alternatively, please send photographs of birds with a
reference object such as a coin, and the date, time and location to
laurie.wilson@ec.gc.ca. Your names and vessel names do not need to be
identified or included.
7. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is interested in reports of sea turtles in BC
waters. By documenting sightings we are able to learn more about how, when and
where these turtles are using our waters. If you see or entangle a sea turtle,
please call this toll-free phone number: 1-866-I SAW ONE (1-866-472-9663).
Please include information such as the type of sea turtle seen (e.g.
leatherback), the location, time of sighting and if entanglement has occurred.
The next update regarding fishing opportunities will be available on Friday
August 29, 2014 following the Fraser River Panel meeting.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Greg Hornby, Resource Manager, Campbell River (250)286-5886
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0894
Sent August 26, 2014 at 1535