Courtesy of Saltwater Chair Derek Hardy:

This notice provides an update on planned conservation measures to address  conservation concerns for Fraser River Chinook in 2019. The Committee on the  Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has assessed 13 Fraser  Chinook stocks with 7 assessed as endangered, 4 threatened, 1 stock of concern  and 1 not at risk. In addition, current low productivity of these stocks has  resulted in high concern about further declines in spawner abundance in 2019.  As a result, additional precautionary reductions in fishery mortalities are  being planned. DFO is currently reviewing feedback from consultations on proposed new fishery  measures to further reduce fishery mortalities on these stocks and support  conservation.  A decision on new measures for 2019 fisheries will be released  in early April.   Further information on specific management actions will be communicated by  separate Fishery Notices. You can view or subscribe to fisheries notices  at: http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm 

Courtesy of the Saltwater Chair, Derek Hardy:

RECREATIONAL – General Information, RECREATIONAL – Shellfish, RECREATIONAL – Salmon, RECREATIONAL – Fin Fish (Other than Salmon)

Fishery Notice – Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0277-Licensing Information – Recreational Fisheries – 2019-2020 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licences and Salmon Conservation Stamps available online Monday, March 25, 2019
LICENCE AVAILABILITY 2019 – 2020 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licences and Pacific Salmon Conservation Stamps will be available for purchase online Monday, March 25, 2019 in the National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS).
You are encouraged to purchase your licence(s) in advance of a planned fishing trip.
Note that the 2019 – 2020 licences only become valid from April 1, 2019. Licences can be obtained via any computer connected to the internet at https://recfish-pechesportive.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm , or by using internet search key words ” National Recreational Licensing System”.
In order to print a licence on a personal computer, you will need a printer with 8.5 x 11 letter-sized paper, Adobe Reader, a compatible web browser, and a valid credit or debit card accepted by Moneris.
BEST TIMES TO BUY To minimize system delays, the best time to access NRLS is outside peak periods. Peak times are: daily from 12:00PM to 3:00PM; every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; April 1st of each year; and during a major fishery opening such as the Fraser River Sockeye opening. During peak times you may experience site slowdown, timeout and other technical errors.
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE OPTIONS If there is an NRLS outage; if you have limited internet connectivity; or if you are having trouble obtaining your licence online, you can also visit an Independent Access Provider (IAP), a list of current service locations may be found at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/iap-fai-eng.html
NON-RESIDENT LICENCES If you are a non-resident of Canada wishing to fish for Halibut in Areas 23, 121, or 123, you must acquire a licence through one of the IAP locations. NON-REFUNDABLE Refunds will not be issued for licences purchased online, so please ensure your licence selection (including the fishing year) is correct before you complete your transaction.
SPORT FISHING GUIDE The British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide (SFG) is available online. For the most current information on recreational fisheries, and to download a pdf copy of the SFG visit the online BC Sport Fishing Guide website at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html .
Note that the pdf version of the guide is condensed and includes static information that does not change on a regular basis. In-season changes are not included in the pdf and will instead be communicated through regular website updates and via the Fishery Notice system.
CHANGES TO CONDITIONS OF LICENCE FOR 2019/2020
Crab: No person shall possess female Red Rock, King or Dungeness Crab. Crab traps are required to have two unobstructed circular escape holes or rings, measuring a minimum of 105 mm in diameter.
Clams: No person shall retain a Manila Clam or Littleneck Clam smaller than 35 mm, nor a Butter Clam smaller than 55 mm.
Halibut: No person shall catch and retain more than six (6) halibut in the aggregate from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. Retained halibut shall be immediately recorded on the licence. No person shall retain a halibut greater than 126 cm head-on length. The possession limit is either of: one (1) halibut measuring from 90 cm to 126 cm head-on length, OR two (2) halibut measuring under 90 cm head-on length. Note: If you are in possession of one (1) halibut 90 cm head-on length or longer, you shall not possess any other halibut.
ROCKFISH: No person shall catch and retain in a day in Outside waters more than three (3) rockfish, of which only one (1) may be a Quillback Rockfish, a China Rockfish, or a Tiger Rockfish. No person shall catch and retain in Outside waters the following species of rockfish: Bocaccio Rockfish (zero retention); Yelloweye Rockfish (zero retention). Note: Outside waters are Management Areas 1 to 11, 21 to 27, 101 to 111, 121 to 127, 130, 142 and Subarea 12-14. Salmon, Trout: No person shall use a barbed hook when fishing for salmon and trout (includes steelhead).
Howe Sound Glass Sponge Reefs: Use of downriggers is prohibited in portions of Subareas 28-2 and 28-4 in the Howe Sound glass sponge reef marine refuges, as described at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/ceccsr-cerceef/closures-fermetures-eng.html .
For full details see your 2019/2020 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence for recreational Conditions of Licence.
ROCKFISH DESCENDING DEVICES The use of a descending device is highly recommended to assist in the conservation and survivability of rockfish being returned to the water. Rockfish brought to the surface suffer barotrauma, causing their swim bladders to inflate and reducing the probability of their survival upon release. To improve rockfish survival rates, use a descending device to quickly return incidental catch to the water. Handle catch as little as possible, using wet hands to preserve the protective slime coat. To avoid catching rockfish, move to another fishing location.
HARD COPIES OF LICENCE You are required, by regulation, to have a printed copy of your licence to record catch in ink for Chinook Salmon, Halibut, and Lingcod in specified areas. Your licence must be produced on request of a fishery officer, conservation officer or fishery guardian, so ensure you have your licence with you while fishing or transporting your catch, either in hard copy or readily available on your mobile device.
RECREATIONAL FISHING SURVEY SELECTION You may be randomly selected at time of licence purchase to participate in a recreational fishing survey, details will be printed to your licence. Your accurately recorded catch data assists us with conservation of our shared marine resources for future generations of fishers. Use the FishingBC App or space on your licence to record catch details for later submission to the online recreational catch survey (iREC). For assistance or questions regarding your NRLS account or TWSF Licence please contact our toll-free line at 1-877-535-7307 from 08:00 am EST to 16:00 pm PST Monday – Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center – FN0277 Sent March 25, 2019 at 14:16 Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca If you would like to unsubscribe, please submit your request at: http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=manage_subscription If you have any questions, please contact us via e-mail to: DFO.OpsCentreFisheryPacific-CentreOpsPechePacifique.MPO@canada.ca

New licenses are due April 1 but D.F.O. has still to decide on regs. They havn’t printed any for last couple of years so if you havn’t got a computer to look them up good luck D.F.O. at its best

If you can operate your G.P.S. here are 50+ points you will have to install if you are going to fish Area 28
  Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0205-Glass Sponge Reefs - Pacific Region - Area 28 - Bottom Contact Fishery Closures - Effective April 1, 2019

Effective April 1, 2019 all commercial, recreational and Food, Social and 
Ceremonial (FSC) bottom contact fishing activities for prawn, shrimp, crab and 
groundfish, as well as the use of downrigger gear for recreational salmon 
trolling (restricted via Condition of Licence) are prohibited within portions 
of Subareas 28-2 and 28-4 to protect nine Howe Sound glass sponge reefs, as 
marine refuges.  This includes the following fishing activities: 
Prawn and crab by trap
Shrimp and groundfish by trawl
Groundfish by hook and line
Use of downrigger gear in recreational salmon trolling
  
These closures will be in effect for the long term.

In 2016, nine glass sponge reefs were closed to all bottom contact fishing 
activities in the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound.  During consultations, 
additional reefs in Howe Sound were brought to DFO’s attention and assessed to 
determine their ecological significance.  On October 27, 2017, DFO requested 
voluntary avoidance of bottom contact fishing activities in 9 ecologically 
significant sites until consultations could be completed.

Following input from First Nations and stakeholder consultations, DFO has made 
the decision to proceed with formal fishery closures for eight areas containing 
nine significant reefs and adhere to a protection boundary of 150 metres from 
the reef’s edges as a precautionary measure.  The use of downrigger gear in 
recreational salmon trolling was also prohibited via a Condition of Licence.  
This reflects a change to the BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide; the online 
Sport Fishing Guide will be updated at 
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html).  

The geographical coordinates of these new closures totalling 3.5km² are as 
follows (please note that Lions Bay and Kelvin Grove have been combined into 
one closure):

East Defence Islands Closure
That portion of Subarea 28-4 that lies inside a line:
begins at 49° 34.731’ N, 123° 16.555’ W
then northeast to 49° 34.848’ N, 123° 16.357’ W
then northeast to 49° 34.854’ N, 123° 16.120’ W
then southeast to 49° 34.580’ N, 123° 16.084’ W
then southwest to 49° 34.535’ N, 123° 16.539’ W
then to the beginning point. 

Anvil Island Closure
That portion of Subarea 28-4 that lies inside a line: 
begins at 49° 32.874’ N, 123° 17.425’W
then southeast to 49° 32.865’ N, 123° 16.815’ W 
then southwest to 49° 32.533’ N, 123° 16.869’ W 
then southwest to 49° 32.482’ N, 123° 17.118’ W 
then northwest to 49° 32.574’ N, 123° 17.483’ W 
then to the beginning point.

Lost Reef Closure
That portion of Subarea 28-2 that lies inside a line: 
begins at 49° 29.799’ N, 123° 18.203’ W 
then northeast to 49° 29.935’ N, 123° 18.007’ W 
then southeast to 49° 29.882’ N, 123° 17.832’ W 
then southeast to 49° 29.591’ N, 123° 17.519’ W 
then southwest to 49° 29.547’ N, 123° 17.941’ W 
then to the beginning point.

Brunswick Point Closure
That portion of Subarea 28-2 that lies inside a line:
begins at 49° 28.577’ N, 123° 14.965’ W 
then southeast to 49° 28.434’ N, 123° 14.732’ W 
then southwest to 49° 28.177’ N, 123° 15.031’ W 
then northwest to 49° 28.397’ N, 123° 15.377’ W 
then to the beginning point.

Lions Bay and Kelvin Grove Closure
That portion of Subarea 28-2 that lies inside a line:
begins at 49° 27.629’ N, 123° 15.761’ W 
then southeast to 49° 27.315’ N, 123° 14.516’ W 
then southwest to 49° 26.950’ N, 123° 14.595’ W 
then northwest to 49° 26.952’ N, 123° 15.046’ W 
then northwest to 49° 27.195’ N, 123° 15.655’ W 
then to the beginning point.

Halkett Point Closure
That portion of Subarea 28-2 that lies inside a line:
begins at 49° 27.036’ N, 123° 18.686’ W 
then southeast to 49° 26.897’ N, 123° 18.444’ W 
then southwest to 49° 26.696’ N, 123° 18.578’ W 
then southwest to 49° 26.657’ N, 123° 18.776’ W 
then northwest to 49° 26.742’ N, 123°  18.984’ W 
then to the beginning point.

Bowyer Island Closure
That portion of Subarea 28-2 that lies inside a line: 
begins at 49° 24.774’ N, 123° 16.219’ W 
then northeast to 49° 24.820’ N, 123° 15.763’ W 
then southwest to 49° 24.096’ N, 123° 16.043’ W 
then northwest to 49° 24.389’ N, 123° 16.408’ W 
then to the beginning point.

Dorman Point Closure
That portion of Subarea 28-2 that lies inside a line: 
begins at 49° 22.577’ N, 123° 19.379’ W 
then southeast to 49° 22.543’ N, 123° 19.051’ W 
then southwest to 49° 22.287’ N, 123° 19.152’ W 
then northwest to 49° 22.351’ N, 123° 19.454’ W 
then to the beginning point. 

Variation Order No 2019-95, 2019-96, 2019-97


FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/ceccsr-cerceef/closures-fermetures-eng.html

Or CONTACT Deirdre Finn at Deirdre.Finn@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or 604-666-2606


Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0205
Sent March 11, 2019 at 12:13
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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If you have any questions, please contact us via e-mail to: DFO.OpsCentreFisheryPacific-CentreOpsPechePacifique.MPO@canada.ca