April 1 BC Saltwater Salmon Rules

[IronNoggin]

FN0330-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Chinook - Areas 11 to 20, 111, and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5 - Chinook Management Measures - Effective April 1, 2023
Ops Centre Fishery PAC / Centre des peches du Pacifique (DFO/MPO) <DFO.PACOpsCentre-CentredesOpsPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>

Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon

Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0330-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Chinook - Areas 11 to 20, 111, and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5 - Chinook Management Measures - Effective April 1, 2023

To address conservation concerns for at-risk Fraser River Chinook stocks, DFO is continuing precautionary management in recreational fisheries to support the conservation of these stocks. This Fishery Notice provides the interim recreational fishery management measures to provide protection to at-risk Fraser River Chinook stocks in Areas 11 to 20, 111, and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5. The interim measures to start the 2023 fishing season (beginning April 1, 2023) are the same measures that were in place at the beginning of last season (with the exception of portions of Area 16). As these are interim measures, a further announcement on possible revised management actions will be announced in a subsequent Fishery Notice.
This notice also announces the mark-selective fisheries (MSFs) that were approved in the 2022/23 Southern Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) and that will be re-opening April 1, 2023. Any new MSFs that may be approved will be announced in a subsequent Fishery Notice.
Management measures to protect Fraser River Chinook stocks of concern:
Queen Charlotte Strait and Johnstone Strait - Area 12 (excluding Subarea 12-14); and Northern Strait of Georgia - Areas 13 to 17, and Subareas 29-1 to 29-2:

00:01 hours April 1 until further notice: Chinook non-retention.

For clarity, in Areas 11 and 111, and Subarea 12-14, the daily limit of Chinook is two (2) per day, with a minimum size of 45 cm.

Southern Strait of Georgia and Juan de Fuca Strait - Area 18, Area 20, Subareas 19-1, 19-3 to 19-12, and Subareas 29-3 to 29-5 (excluding those portions listed as closed below):

00:01 hours April 1 until further notice: Chinook non-retention.

Reminder: Subarea 19-2 (Esquimalt Harbour) is closed to all fishing activity.

Those portions of Subareas 29-3 to 29-5 that lie east of a line from Gower Point (49 23.021'N, 123 32.166' W) near Gibsons to Shah Point on the southern tip of Valdes Island (49 01.695'N, 123 35.721'W):

00:01 hours April 1 until further notice: No fishing for Chinook.

Mark-selective fisheries (MSFs):

Area 12 (portions of Broughton Archipelago/Knight Inlet):

Subareas 12-27, 12-28, 12-35, 12-38, and 12-40; and

That portion of 12-26 north of line from Dinner Point on Village Island (50°37.628'N, 126°30.322'W) across to a point on the opposite shore on Turnour Island (50°37.536'N, 126°29.845' W); AND east of the Lower Clio RCA boundary line at 50°35.397'N, 126°31.982'W; 50°34.943'N, 126°32.080'W; and

That portion of 12-39 northeasterly of a line from Gordon Point on Broughton Island (50°45.885'N, 126°44.158'W) across to the RCA boundary on Eden Island (50°45.510'N, 126°42.831'W); AND those portions of Subarea 12-39 east of the Eden-Bonwick-Midsummer-Swanson Islands RCA; and

That portion of Subarea 12-41 north of a line from Popplewell Point (50º50.756'N, 126º57.317'W) to the RCA boundary at Bourmaster Point (50º50.700'N, 126º55.574'W):

Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2023, until further notice, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day marked or unmarked, with maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook. For clarity, there is no maximum size limit on hatchery marked Chinook. The minimum size for all Chinook is 62 cm in Area 12 (excluding Subarea 12-14).

Area 13 (Portions of Bute Inlet and Ramsay Arm):

That portion of Subarea 13-19 northerly of a line that runs from 50°19.584'N, 125°00.292'W (on Raza Island) to 50°19.9463'N, 125°01.9274'W (southeast of Frances Bay); and

Subarea 13-21:

Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2023, until further notice, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day marked or unmarked, with maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook. For clarity, there is no maximum size limit on hatchery marked Chinook. The minimum size for all Chinook is 62 cm in Area 13.

Area 15 (portions of Toba Inlet):

That portion of 15-5 north of a line from Tibbs Point on Raza Island (50°18.731?N 124°57.980?W) to Connis Point on West Redonda Island (50°18.287?N 124°55.177?W); AND northerly of a line from Dean Point on West Redonda Island (50°17.147'N, 124°47.172'W) across to a point on East Redonda Island (50°17.145'N, 124°46.989'W); AND north of a line from Price Point (50°09.399'N, 124°39.165'W) to East Redonda Island (50°10.075'N,124°41.763'W); and

That portion of Subarea 15-6 (in Toba Inlet) west of a line from a boundary sign at Snout Point to a boundary sign on the opposite shore:

Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2023, until further notice, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day marked or unmarked, with maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook. For clarity, there is no maximum size limit on hatchery marked Chinook. The minimum size for all Chinook is 62 cm in Area 15.

Area 16 (portions of Sechelt and Jervis Inlets):

Subareas 16-6, 16-9, 16-12; and

That portion of Subarea 16-7 westerly of the Salmon Inlet RCA boundary following a meridian passing through at 123°43.00'W (near Black Bear Bluff); and

That portion of Subarea 16-8 west of a line from a point on land at 49°41.5'N, 123°48.4'W, across to a point on the other shore at 49°41.1'N, 123°47.7'W; and

That portion of Subarea 16-10 north of a line from a point on land at 49°40.0'N, 124°04.3'W, across to a point on the other shore at 49°40.0'N, 124°05.1'W; and

That portion of Subarea 16-11 north of a line from a point on land at 49°44.99'N, 124°15.57'W, across to Ball Point (corner of the Hardy Island RCA) at 49°45.100'N, 124°13.750'W; and

That portion of Subarea 16-13 south of a line from a point on land at 49°50.7'N, 123°55.2'W then across to a point on the opposite shore at 49°50.2'N, 123°52.9'W:

Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2023, until further notice, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only. Unmarked Chinook may not be retained. The minimum size is 62 cm in Area 16.

Subarea 20-5 (portion of Beecher Bay):

Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2023, until further notice, the daily limit of Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery-marked only, in the following waters:

That portion of Subarea 20-5 northerly of a line drawn from 48°19.554'N, 123°37.768'W to 48°19.589'N, 123°36.533'W, then following the shoreline of Frazer Island east to the RCA boundary at 48°19.700'N, 123°36.267'W, then to 48°19.633'N, 123°35.681'W.

Reminder: The minimum size in Area 20 is 45 cm.

Variation Orders: 2023-RFQ-064; 2023-RCT-060;

Coast-wide Recreational Fisheries:

For the recreational fishery, the annual aggregate limit for Chinook salmon is ten (10) coast-wide in all tidal waters.

Variation Order: 2023-RFQ-009

Fishers are reminded that minimum legal size limits apply and to check the species regulations for the areas being fished.

Notes:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.

The term "hatchery marked" or "marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin. This is also referred to as an adipose fin-clipped (AFC) fish. Unmarked fish still have an adipose fin present.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labeling 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 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are currently in effect and are closed to all fin-fishing. Descriptions of RCAs, other closures such as finfish closed areas and salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/...t-eng.html#rca

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 1-800-465-4336 or by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-866-431-FISH (3474).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0330

Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Area 28, no MSF at this time

To address conservation concerns for at-risk Fraser River Chinook stocks, DFO is continuing precautionary reductions in commercial, recreational and First Nations' fisheries to support conservation of these stocks.

This Fishery Notice outlines the interim recreational fishery management measures to provide protection to at-risk Fraser River Chinook stocks in Area 28 and portions of Area 29. The plan is to start the 2023 fishing season (beginning April 1, 2023) with measures in place at the beginning of last season, until further notice. As these are interim measures, a further announcement on possible revised management actions, including any new mark-selective fisheries (MSFs) that may be approved, will be announced in a subsequent fishery notice.

The management measures for Fraser Chinook are outlined below.

Southern BC waters: Vancouver Area (Area 28 and portions of Area 29)

Strait of Georgia - South - Area 28 and Subarea 29-8 (excluding those portions listed as closed below):

April 1, 2023, until further notice: Chinook non-retention.

Portions of Southern Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound and Burrard Inlet - Subareas 28-7 to 28-9; Subarea 28-1, and that portion of Subarea 28-2 that lies Southerly of a line drawn due East from Halkett Point on Gambier Island (49 26.735'N, 123 19.302'W) to a point (49 26.550'N, 123 14.317'W) on the mainland corresponding with the SouthEast point of the Lions Bay RCA; and those portions of 29-3 to 29-5 that lie East of a line from Gower Point (49 23.021'N, 123 32.166' W) near Gibsons to Shah Point on the Southern tip of Valdes Island (49 01.695'N, 123 35.721'W):

April 1, 2023 until further notice: No fishing for Chinook.

Approaches to Fraser River - Subareas 29-6, 29-7, 29-9 to 29-17 and the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River from Mission Bridge to the confluence with Sawmill Creek:

January 1 to November 1: No fishing for Salmon (Note: Fishing opportunities for specific salmon stocks may be considered at a later date).

Variation Order: 2023-RCT-017; 2023-RCT-061; 2023-RFQ-066 in effect.

Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.

The term "hatchery marked" or "marked" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin. This is also referred to as an adipose fin-clipped (AFC) fish. Unmarked fish still have an adipose fin present.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labeling 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 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-866-431-FISH (3474).

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0331

If you have any questions, please contact us via e-mail to: DFO.PACOpsCentre-CentredesOpsPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca