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FN0857-Salmon: Seine - Area B - Areas 12 and 13 - Fraser River Sockeye/Pink - Opening

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COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine


Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0856-Salmon: Seine - Area B - Areas 12 and 13 - Fraser River Sockeye/Pink - Opening

In 2011, Area B Seine Fraser River sockeye and Fraser River pink harvest
opportunities will be managed as an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) fishery
and will be based on available commercial TAC. Harvesters are reminded that
sufficient vessel quotas of Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon are required
to participate in any fishery opening below.

Area 12 (Upper Johnstone Strait)
Subarea 12-3 only:
Seines remain open until further notice on a 7 day per week basis. Fishing
times will remain open from 09:00 hours until 21:00 hours.

Variation Order Nos. 2011-CR-SN-045, 2011-CR-SN-046, 2011-CR-SN-047.

Remainder of Area 12 (excluding Subarea 12-3)
Seines will remain open until further notice on a 7 day per week basis.
Fishing times will remain open from 06:00 hours until 21:00 hours in Subareas
12-1, 12-4, 12-5, portions of 12-6 and 12-8 (bounded on the west by a line from
Graeme Point on Malcolm Island to Staples Islet (Numas Island), bounded on the
east by a line 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,
bounded on the north by a line commencing at Twin Islets westerly 274 degrees
true intersecting the western boundary (Graeme Point to Staples Island line),
12-11, and that portion of 12-16 bounded on the west by a line from an
unnamed point on Vancouver Island at 50 degrees 45.936 minutes north by 127
degrees 29.254 minutes west to Dillon Point on Vancouver Island, bounded on the
south by a line from Dillon Point on Vancouver Island to Staples Islet (Numas
Island). Minimum bunt mesh size 70 mm. The use of power skiffs is not
permitted.

Variation Order No. 2011-CR-SN-048, 2011-CR-SN-049, 2011-CR-SN-050.

Area 13 (Lower Johnstone Strait)
Subarea 13-7 only:
Seines will open weekdays only (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) daily from
06:00 hours until 21:00 hours in that portion of Subarea 13-7 lying west of a
line from a point on Separation Head located at 50 degrees 10.848 minutes N by
125 degrees 20.899 minutes W to a point on Quadra Island located at 50 degrees
11.421 minutes N by 125 degrees 20.253 minutes W (Deepwater Bay closure),

Remainder of Area 13 (excluding Subarea 13-7):
Seines will open until further notice on a 7 day per week basis. Daily open
fishing times will be from 06:00 hours until 21:00 hours in Subareas 13-8 and
13-9, and Subareas 13-27 to 13-32.

The individual quotas of Fraser sockeye and pink for each Area B vessel are
cumulative for the season. The initial Area B individual transferable quota
shares for sockeye is 0.28869% and for pink is 0.38690%, prior to any quota
reallocations that have been made. At this time the cumulative individual
quota in pieces for each Area B vessel is 1,261 sockeye based on an initial
share of 0.28869% and a commercial TAC of 436,784 sockeye. At this time the
cumulative individual quota in pieces for each Area B vessel is 45,748 pink
based on a share of 0.38690% and a commercial TAC of 11,824,219 pink. Each
individual quota amount (in pieces) will change if the available commercial TAC
changes in-season. These commercial TACs are for the purpose of calculating
the individual quota amounts for Area B and H vessels only.

The available commercial Fraser River sockeye commercial total allowable catch
is the full amount of Area B commercial TAC for the season based on the current
information. Harvesters are reminded that they should plan their fishing
operations considering that both sockeye and pink quota allocations will be
required for any commercial fishing; this includes retaining sufficient sockeye
quota to account for any assessed sockeye release mortalities during any future
directed pink harvest opportunities. Please refer to the fishery guidelines
for the B and H individual transferable quota fishery for further information.

Vessel masters are reminded that the Fraser sockeye quota is for total
mortalities which will include catch plus assessed sockeye release
mortalities. Any sockeye retained plus any assessed sockeye release
mortalities during pink directed fisheries will be counted against individual
quota amounts of sockeye.

Sockeye release mortalities will be determined using fleet wide estimates of
sockeye encounter rates, sockeye release mortality rates (25% for seine), and
pink salmon landings. Sockeye encounter rates will be determined using fleet
wide estimates from independent observer data. To calculate the assessed
release mortality of sockeye, multiply the number of pink landed by the sockeye
encounter rate then by the release mortality rate. Sockeye release mortalities
will be determined and assessed against all vessels when the catch is landed.

Different encounter rates will be used for each Area (12, 13, and 29) and time
(daily).

For planning purposes, the projected sockeye encounter rates and approximate
sockeye quota amounts required to account for sockeye release mortalities per
1,000 pink salmon harvested are projected as follows:

Area 12: 0.02 to 0.05 encounter rate, 5 to 13 sockeye per 1,000 pink
Area 13: 0.02 to 0.05 encounter rate, 5 to 13 sockeye per 1,000 pink

This information is for planning purposes only; assessed sockeye release
mortalities will be based on actual encounter rates from independent observer
data on fleet wide encounter rates and actual pink landings.

Harvesters will need to ensure they have adequate quota as sockeye mortalities
will be assessed based on the validated pink catch and the number of sockeye
retained. Please refer to the Area B and Area H Fraser River Sockeye and Pink
ITQ Demonstration Fishery 2011 Guidelines document included in the 2011 Area B
Salmon Seine Licence Issuance package for further details.

Harvesters are reminded that sufficient allocations of both sockeye and pink
salmon are required to participate in this fishery. It is the responsibility
of the vessel master to cease fishing when the vessel quota for Fraser sockeye
OR Fraser pink salmon is achieved.

NOTE:

1. The target species in this fishery are Fraser River sockeye and pink, the
incidental catch of chum may be retained in the areas open to fishing. There
will be non-retention of coho, chinook and steelhead. This fishery has been
designed to address stocks of concern constraints.

2. Seine vessel masters are reminded that a package of materials pertaining to
fishing in Areas 12 and 13 is available from company representatives or the
Charter Patrol Vessels on the grounds; please ensure you acquire the package of
materials.

3. Seine vessel masters are reminded that logbooks, operating revival tanks and
brailing are mandatory as condition of their licence and are legal
requirements.

4. 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. When a seine test fishing vessel is arriving to a
designated test fishing location to make a set and while making the set,
vessels must provide priority access to this seine test vessel. Fishing at
this location can occur once the seine test vessel rings are up. For further
details, refer to Appendix C of the Area B and Area H Fraser Sockeye and Pink
ITQ Demonstration Fishery 2011 Guidelines provided in the Area B license
package. If there is poor compliance identified on the grounds closures will
be implemented within the test fishing area. For more information please
contact the on-grounds Charter Patrol or the DFO contact listed below.

5. Vessel masters must, prior to leaving for the fishing grounds, phone AMR at
1-888-387-0007 and provide a start fishing report and announce their intention
to fish.

6. At the end of each fishing day and prior to 08:00 hours of the next day, the
vessel master must, as a condition of licence, record their catch information
in their Salmon Log Book and report their catch by calling AMR at 1-888-387-
0007.

7. 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. 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.

8. Catch validation is mandatory and individual licence holders are required to
make their own arrangements with a salmon offload observer service provider
authorized by the Department. Licence holders that plan to harvest sockeye
must register with the salmon offload observer service provider in advance of
the fishery to confirm arrangements. For further information contact J.O.
Thomas and Associates (ph: 1-866-930-4000).

9. Prior to any dockside landing of fish, the vessel master shall hail in to
the designated salmon offload observer service provider at 1-866-930-4000
between 06:00 hours and 18:00 hours seven days per week and provide the
following information:

- vessel name;
- vessel registration number;
- name and Fisher Identification Number of the vessel master;
- contact phone number;
- date, time, port and location of landing of the fish;
- name of fish buying station where fish are to be landed;
- product type
- estimated number of pieces by species
- area fished
- sub-area fished

A salmon offload observer shall be present during all offloading of catch to
record the number and weight of each species of salmon delivered. All salmon
shall be landed at one of the following locations: Campbell River, French
Creek, Greater Vancouver, Port Renfrew, Kelsey Bay, Nanaimo, Port Hardy, Port
McNeil, Quadra Island.

The vessel master shall deliver only to packers designated for the quota
fishery. The vessel master shall retain a copy of the validation record
provided by the packer at each delivery.

If the vessel leaves the quota fishery to fish in another fishery the catch
shall be offloaded and verified by a salmon offload observer prior to entering
the other fishery.

10. Quota will be transferable in whole or in part within Area B as well as
between Area H. Transfers to other gears are not allowed. Quota may be
reallocated as a percent (for the season) or by pieces (temporarily to cover an
overage). In all instances overages accrued in-season must be covered by a
quota reallocation, even if associated with a change in TAC. Reallocations
associated with overages must be made within 24 hours of landing. In addition,
vessels will not be permitted to continue fishing (start fishing report) until
all overages are covered. Quota reallocation forms are posted on-line at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/Licensing/Default_e.htm under the
heading “Application Forms”. Contact Rhonda Mair at 250-756-3371 for more
information.

11. In Area 12, mooring in Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve will
only be permitted 24 hours prior to a commercial opening. The west and east
boundaries are identified by a 4x8 foot white sign with a 3x3 foot orange sign
in the centre. The location of the west boundary is 50 degrees 29.759 minutes N
by 126 degrees 37.592 minutes W and the location of the east boundary is 50
degrees 29.107 minutes North by 126 degrees 30.365 minutes West. In addition
vessels will not be permitted to moor in Robson Bight proper during commercial
fishery openings.

12. 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.

13. Fishers are requested to avoid fishing among birds and not to run the net
if birds are near the net. 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 (BIRD) 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.

14. 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 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 (i.e. leatherback), the
location, and time of sighting.

The next update will be made Thursday September 8 following the next Fraser
River Panel meeting.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Matt Mortimer, 250-286-5814


Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0856
Sent September 6, 2011 at 16:15
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 
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