FN0510-RECREATIONAL – Southwest Coast of Vancouver Island – Areas 21 to 24, 121, and 123 to 124 – Coho Opening Times and Limits

Continuing conservation concerns for Interior Fraser Coho and a Low outlook for WCVI Coho require that 2021 Coho management measures remain precautionary. Unless otherwise specified below, the daily limit for Coho is two (2) per day, hatchery-marked only from 00:01 hours June 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2021 in Areas 21 to 24, 121, and 123 to 124.

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Please be aware that these limits do not apply to fin-fish closed areas, or Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs). Fin-fish closures for 2021 will be announced in a subsequent Fishery Notice. Please check the DFO website referenced at the bottom of this notice for further information.

Area 22 Nitinat Lake

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Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2021 you may retain two (2) Coho per day of which one (1) may be unmarked;

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Effective 00:01 hours August 1 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2021 The salmon non-retention area in that portion of Nitinat Lake northeasterly of a line drawn from Windy Point to a boundary sign on the opposite shore.

Area 23 – Barkley Sound

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Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2021 you may retain two (2) Coho per day one (1) of which may be unmarked except for;

Effective 00:01 hours August 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2021 in Subareas 23-1 to 23-3 (Alberni Inlet) you may retain four (4) Coho per day, one (1) of which may be unmarked.

Area 24 – Clayoquot Sound

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Effective 00:01 hours June 1 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2021 you may retain two (2) Coho per day, one (1) of which may be unmarked.

Refer to the following website link for a description of the Area and Subarea maps and for information on salmon non-retention areas and fishing closures:

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/areas-secteurs-eng.html

Variation Order No. 2021-RFQ-0150; 2021-RCT-145

Notes:

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

The term “hatchery marked” means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

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 (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) that are currently in effect and are closed to all fin-fishing.  Descriptions of RCAs, other closures such as fin-fish 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