FN0467-RECREATIONAL – Salmon – Chinook – Portions of Areas 12, 13, 15, 16, and Subarea 20-5 – Chinook Management Measures – Effective immediately

This Fishery Notice details Chinook recreational fishery opportunities that have been approved on a trial basis for 2021 in portions of Areas 12, 13, 15, 16, and Subarea 20-5 for the 2021 fishing season. These areas are located outside the primary migratory paths used by Fraser Chinook and are designed to limit impacts on wild Chinook stocks of concern. These opportunities are being implemented on a trial basis with enhanced creel survey monitoring.  Anglers are reminded about the importance of reporting catch information, submitting heads for adipose fin clipped Chinook and providing access to fish for sampling when requested. This information will be used to support post-season evaluation and future decision making.

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Conservation measures to address conservation concerns for at-risk Southern BC Chinook stocks remain in effect for many southern BC waters. Please check the DFO web-site for specific restrictions in your area.

Area 12:

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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

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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:

Effective immediately until 23:59 hours July 14, 2021, one (1) Chinook per day marked or unmarked, with maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook.

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 immediately until 23:59 hours July 14, 2021, one (1) Chinook per day marked or unmarked, with maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook.

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 immediately until 23:59 hours July 14, 2021, one (1) Chinook per day marked or unmarked, with maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook.

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; and

Effective immediately until 23:59 hours July 14, 2021, one (1) Chinook per day marked or unmarked, with maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook.

Subarea 20-5 (portions of Beecher Bay):

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; and

Effective immediately to 23:59 hours July 31, 2021, one (1) Chinook per day hatchery-marked only.

Variation Order: 2021-RFQ-273

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: 2021-RFQ-094

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:

www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish