North Island / Port Hardy SOCKEYE

high tide

Well-Known Member
Hey you folks up north ......... It's Monday the 25 th. Are the Sox still thick up there, in your opinion is the run still strong or has it peaked?

Thanks in advance
HT
 
I think it is pretty slim pickings now. I was out yesterday by the airport looking for hali's, and there were a few boats looking but I didn't hear of much being caught. creel girl at the dock said things were slow also.
 
Hey you folks up north ......... It's Monday the 25 th. Are the Sox still thick up there, in your opinion is the run still strong or has it peaked?

Thanks in advance
HT

Heard the trollers were heading south for an area 14 opening tomorrow.
 
Lots in the area just down deep, 200+ feet, tough to get too. Also heard from my commercial buddies that the big wave hasn't shown up yet. Still huge numbers north up off of milbanke sound.

Hope so anyways
 
Was up there for Saturday and Sunday came home today..launched in telegraph and found lots of jumpers Saturday at Craycroft..no sockeye being caught. .so headed down as far as Naka Creek...trollers were hitting them hard right in Robson Bight but no real sign of sockeye on surface..talked with a guy at naka and he said just days earlier it was like a city of gillnetters and seiners out front of there ...we came home with 2 day limit on coho all caught at Craycroft..no sockeye...
id hit browns bay or somewhere around there if I was to go out in next little while
 
Last edited by a moderator:
And can you give us the FN # where that was posted ...??

http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=163173&ID=all
Fishery Notice


Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net

Subject:
FN0894-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Gill Net - Area D - Areas 11, 12, 13, 14 - Fraser River Sockeye - Opening - August 27, 2014




Area 11 and portions of Area 12 (Roller Bay):

Gill Nets open:
- 6 hours, from 18:00 hours to 23:59 hours Wednesday, August 27;
- 18 hours, from 06:00 hours to 23:59 hours Thursday, August 28; and
- 8 hours, from 06:00 hours to 14:00 hours Friday, August 29, 2014:

in Subarea 11-1 and a portion of Subarea 11-2 westerly of line from Raynor
Point on the mainland to the most westerly end of the Storm Islands, thence to
the most westerly point on Pine Island, thence to Bright Island, a portion of
Subarea 12-12 excluding those waters southerly of a line from Greeting Point on
Nigei Island to Cape James on Hope Island, and a portion of Subarea 12-11
westerly of a line commencing at the Scarlett Point light on Balaklava Island
to a point on Hurst Island at 50 degrees 50.660 minutes North by 127 degrees
33.862 minutes West to Crane Island Light to Davey Rock and west of a line from
Nolan Point on Balaklava Island due south intersecting the boundary line
between Subareas 12-11 and 12-16.

V.O. # 2014-CR-GN-030
V.O. # 2014-CR-GN-031
V.O. # 2014-CR-GN-032

Area 12 (Upper Johnstone Strait & Queen Charlotte Strait):

Gill Nets open 38 hours, from 18:00 hours Wednesday, August 27 to 08:00 hours
Friday, August 29, 2014:

in Subareas 12-1, a portion 12-2 northerly of line from a boundary sign at 50
degrees 28.570 minutes North by 126 degrees 18.117 minutes West to a boundary
sign at 50 degrees 28.393 minutes North by 126 degrees 15.279 minutes West
(Adams River Boundary), 12-3 excluding those waters inside the Tsitika River
mouth boundary (from a boundary sign at 50 degrees 29.255 minutes north, 126
minutes 36.680 minutes west true to a coordinate at 50 degrees 29.137 minutes,
126 degrees 34.245 minutes), 12-4, 12-5, portions of 12-6 and 12-8 east of a
line 201 degrees true from Staples Island to a point at 50 degrees 39.317
minutes North by 127 degrees 11.433 minutes West longitude on the western edge
of the area marked as the kelp patch, north of a line drawn from Graeme Point
on Malcolm Island to a point 50 degrees 39.317 minutes North by 127 degrees
11.433 minutes West longitude, and west of a line drawn from Bold Head on
Swanson Island to Wedge Island light, thence to the most northerly point of
Wedge Island then to the most northerly island of the White Cliff Islets, and
thence to Penfold Islet, thence to Twin Islets, and south of a line commencing
at Twin Islets westerly 274 degrees true intersecting the western
boundary.

V.O. # 2014-CR-GN-033

Area 13 (Lower Johnstone Strait):

Gill Nets open 38 hours, from 18:00 hours Wednesday, August 27 to 08:00 hours
Friday, August 29, 2014:

in a portion of Subarea 13-7 excluding Deepwater Bay (from the boundary sign at
50 degrees 11.434 minutes to the boundary sign at 50 degrees 10.861 125 degrees
20.885 minutes), 13-8, 13-9, a portion of 13-10 lying west of a line from Islet
Point on Sonora Island to boundary sign on Quadra Island located at 50 degrees
16.760 minutes North by 125 degrees 22.780 minutes West, a portion of 13-11
lying west of a line from Bodega Point on Quadra Island to a boundary sign at
50 degrees 16.390 minutes North by 125 degrees 22.620 minutes West and 13-27 to
13-32.

V.O. # 2014-CR-GN-033

Area 14 Demonstration Fishery:

Gill Nets open in Subareas 14-6 and 14-12:
- 6 hours, from 18:00 hours to 23:59 hours Wednesday, August 27;
- 18 hours, from 06:00 hours to 23:59 hours Thursday, August 28; and
- 8 hours, from 06:00 hours to 14:00 hours Friday, August 29, 2014:

This demonstration fishery opportunity is limited to a maximum of ten (10)
vessels
. The following vessels are permitted to fish in this demonstration
fishery:

(Vessel Name and VRN)
1. Northern Silver 24808
2. Blue Haze I 24540
3. Flying High 29500
4. Sharron Lynn 23548
5. Island Star I 29400
6. Smoke Knotch 29813
7. Jet Lag 30031
8. Hayley Jay 30068
9. Karen Ann II 24885
10.Barbara W 23850

Vessels masters in this demonstration fishery opportunity must facilitate an at-
sea observer to monitor catch and release information and they must report set
by set information to the at-sea observer.
Further details on the requirements
of this demonstration fishery are outlined in Fishery Notices 0493 and 0593 and
are available from the Department contact below. Instructions for the
demonstration fishery have been provided to each eligible participant.

V.O. # 2014-CR-GN-030
V.O. # 2014-CR-GN-031
V.O. # 2014-CR-GN-032

The target species in this fishery is Fraser River sockeye. Sockeye, pink and
chum retention is permitted but there is non-possession and non-retention of
chinook, coho and steelhead (none of these species may be onboard a vessel that
is engaged in fishing unless they are being revived in the revival tank
immediately prior to release).


Minimum mesh 100 mm. Maximum depth 90 meshes. Maximum hang ratio 3:1. Corkline
to web distance minimum 0 cm, maximum 1.5 m. Maximum net length is 375 meters.
In Subareas 11-1, 11-2, 12-11, 12-12, 14-6, and 14-12 gill net set times are a
maximum of 45 minutes. In all other open areas, the maximum gill net set time
is 60 minutes. All vessels must have operating revival tanks (specifications
are outlined in the Conditions of 2014-15 Salmon Area D licence).


area14.jpg
 
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)286-5886Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0894
Sent August 26, 2014 at 1535
 
Back to the reports from the North Island ......... How's the sox fishing been last couple days guys ...... The lengthy posts above say nothing, back to your opinions. The run must be slowing down by now eh ? It's still great off the fraser
HT
 
Back to the reports from the North Island ......... How's the sox fishing been last couple days guys ...... The lengthy posts above say nothing, back to your opinions. The run must be slowing down by now eh ? It's still great off the fraser
HT
Browns Bay is on fire for sox's
60 feet to 110 feet on the rigger.
Fast, slow both work, only fished the morning but it was steady with double headers and a few triples.
 
Fishing for sockeye and coho is great off of sayward. Go north along the island side of johnstone straight, troll at 30-90 feet. Mix of both species, so make sure you know how to identify.
 
We are planning a three day trip out of Port Hardy. Where do we launch, can we pay for parking for three days and how secure is it to leave truck and boat trailer? Thanks, Xena
 
Couple options for both. There is a municipal launch and parking lot right beside the Quarter Deck Hotel in Port Hardy, secure pay parking. The launch can be tricky at low tides as there is a big drop off the end, only one cleaning table and it can be busy.

Your other option is in Bear Cove on the East side of Hardy Bay over by the ferry terminal. There is a brand new launch, day use marina with two new cleaning tables with water hoses, the only thing is there is no over night parking. Just up the road is Bear Cove Parking and Storage, the guys name is Gord, 4 acre property, lots of room.

PM me for that contact info.

Hope this helps,

Oh ya, tons and tons of sockeye here right now, anywhere around Duval and over to Masterman, 90-130ft, running dumbie flashers with pink hooch's.

Good Luck,

W
 
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