Spawning escapements of Early-Timed Fraser River Chinook have declined to very
low levels and the Department is continuing to implement additional measures to
reduce harvest impacts. Additional management measures are required again in
2009 for commercial, recreational and First Nation fisheries to halt the
decline of Early-Timed Fraser River Chinook.
Effective 00:01 hrs Wednesday April 1, 2009 and until 23:59 hrs Sunday May 31,
2009 additional recreational fishery restrictions on Chinook salmon will be in
effect in Subareas 29-6, 29-7, 29-9 and 29-10. During this time period and in
this area the daily limit is zero (0) Chinook salmon.
The current regulations in Subareas 29-11 to 29-17 and the waters of the Fraser
River in Region 2 effective from January 1 to April 30, 2009 are no fishing for
salmon.
Effective 00:01 hrs Friday May 1, 2009 and until 23:59 hrs Monday June 15, 2009
additional recreational fishery restrictions on Chinook salmon will be in
effect in Subareas 29-11 to 29-17 and the waters of the Fraser River in Region
2. During this time period and in these areas the daily limit is zero (0)
Chinook salmon.
Variation Order No. 2009-104 and 2009-105
The Subareas are described as follows:
Subarea 29-6
Those waters of the Strait of Georgia inside a line that begins at 49°05.2622N
123°18.6152W [Roberts Bank radar beacon] then to 49°02.2902N 123°15.3782W
[Canoe Passage Light Buoy LL308] then through 49°00.1302N 123°07.7182W
[Tsawwassen Ferry Breakwater Light] to the intersection with the international
boundary between Canada and the United States then following the international
boundary westerly to the point of intersection with a line drawn 176° true from
Roberts Bank radar beacon then to the beginning point.
Subarea 29-7
Those waters of the Strait of Georgia inside a line that begins at 49°02.2902N
123°15.3782W [Canoe Passage Light Buoy LL308] then to 49°04.0942N 123°09.1652
W [near Brunswick Cannery] then southerly following the shoreline to the
intersection with the international boundary between Canada and the United
States then following the international boundary to the intersection with a
line drawn from the. 49°02.2902N 123°15.3782W [Canoe Passage Light Buoy
LL308] straight through 49°00.1302N 123°07.7182W [Tsawwassen Ferry Breakwater
Light]to the international boundary then following that line to the beginning
point.
Subarea 29-9
Those waters of the Strait of Georgia inside a line that begins at 49°06.3582N
123°18.1882W [Sand Heads Light] then following Steveston Jetty to 49°07.4682N
123°11.8302W [Garry Point] then easterly following the shoreline to 49°06.9322
N 123°09.3552W [Lulu Island]then to 49°06.8502N 123°09.4342W [Steveston
Island] then following the northerly shoreline of Steveston Island to 49°
06.9892N 123°10.1022W [Steveston Island] then true south to 49°06.3862N 123°
10.1022W [Reifel Island] then following the westerly shoreline of Reifel
Island and Westham Island to 49°04.3492N 123°09.1652W [Westham Island] then
true south to 49°04.0942N 123°09.1652W [near Brunswick Cannery] then to 49°
02.2902N 123°15.3782W [Canoe Passage Light Buoy LL308] then to 49°05.2622N
123°18.6152W [Roberts Bank radar beacon] then to the beginning point.
Subarea 29-10
Those waters of the Strait of Georgia inside a line that begins at 49°15.4402N
123°16.7782W [North Arm Jetty Light] then following the southerly shoreline of
Iona Island and the westerly shoreline of Sea Island to 49°11.2382N 123°
12.5712W [Sea Island] then to 49°10.4592N 123°11.9982W [Lulu Island] then
southerly following the shoreline to 49°07.4682N 123°11.8302W [Garry Point]
then following Steveston Jetty to 49°06.3582N 123°18.1882W [Sand Heads Light]
then to the beginning point.
Subareas 29-11 to 29-17 comprise of the tidal waters of the Fraser River.
Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal
waters of British Columbia. This includes all species of fish in the Fraser
River.
Anglers are requested to release any hatchery marked sockeye. These fish are
hatchery raised sockeye and part of a recovery program designed to increase the
numbers of Cultus Lake sockeye.
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 voluntary Salmon Sport Head
Recovery program by labelling 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 at (866) 483-9994 for further information.
Rockfish Conservation Areas that are currently in effect and are closed to all
fin fishing. Descriptions of these closures, and other recreational fishing
information, can be found on the Internet at:
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
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 (800) 465-4336.
For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at
(866) 431-FISH.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the local DFO office in your area for further information.
Fisheries&OceansOperationsCenter-FN0199
Sent March 23, 2009 at 1046
