PACIFIC REGION 2000/2001 MANAGEMENT PLAN FOOD AND BAIT HERRING

Transcription

1 PACIFIC REGION 2000/2001 MANAGEMENT PLAN FOOD AND BAIT HERRING

2 This Management Plan is intended for general purposes only. Where there is a discrepancy between the Plan and the regulations, the regulations are the final authority. A description of Areas and Subareas referenced in this Plan can be found in the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations. Page 2 of /2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan

3 RECORD OF MANAGEMENT PLAN REVISIONS Plan: 2000/2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan Date last revised: 30/10/00 Version Number: 1 # Date Page Subject Revision Details Contact ADDITIONAL NOTES:

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5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES HISTORY OF THE FISHERY ENFORCEMENT PLAN ABORIGINAL FISHERIES PLAN SPORT FISHING PLAN COMMERCIAL FISHING PLAN Management Changes Management Objectives Open Times and Areas Johnstone Strait Strait of Georgia Permanent Area Closures Area Area Area Area Area Area Licensing Licence Category Species Gear Licence Category Licensing Requirements Notification of Fishing Allocation and Catch Targets Offloading Onboard Observers Overages Catch Reporting Fish Slip Requirements ADVISORY CONTACTS ATTACHMENTS /2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan Page 1 of 11

6 1. FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION COMMERCIAL INFORMATION (604) OBSERVE, RECORD AND REPORT (800) Fisheries Management Branch Regional Herring Coordinator Greg Thomas (250) South Coast Herring Biologist Dennis Chalmers (250) North Coast Herring Biologist Ivan Winther (250) South Coast A/Area Chief - Fisheries Management Greg Savard (250) North Coast Area Chief - Fisheries Management David Einarson (250) Fisheries Management Coordinator - Port Alberni Laurie Gordon (250) Fisheries Management Coordinator - Nanaimo Randy Brahniuk (250) Fisheries Management Coordinator - Campbell River Doug Swift (250) Fisheries Management Coordinator - Comox Gordon McEachen (250) Fisheries Management Coordinator - Prince Rupert Jim Steward (250) Fisheries Management Coordinator - Prince Rupert Dan Wagner (250) Fisheries Management Coordinator - Bella Coola Lyle Enderud (250) Fisheries Management Coordinator - Queen Charlotte City Victor Fradette (250) Conservation and Protection Area Chief - South Coast Robb Wilson (250) Area Chief - North Coast Siegi Kriegl (250) Science Branch Pacific Biological Station Jake Schweigert (250) Hammond Bay Road Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5K6 Commercial Licensing Pacific Fishery Licence Unit (604) West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5G3 Pacific Fishery Licence Unit (250) nd Avenue West Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1G8 Pacific Fishery Licence Unit (250) Page 2 of /2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan

7 60 Front Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H7 Recreational Fisheries Coastal B.C. South Coordinator Terry Gjernes (250) Coastal B.C. North Coordinator Elmer Fast (250) Fraser River Coordinator Devona Adams (604) GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 2.1. To ensure conservation and protection of vertebrate stocks and their habitat through the application of scientific management principles applied in a risk averse and precautionary manner based on the best scientific advice available To meet the federal Crown s obligations regarding aboriginal fisheries for food, social and ceremonial purposes To develop sustainable fisheries through partnership and co-management arrangements with client groups and stakeholders to share in decision making, responsibilities, costs and benefits To develop fishing plans and co-operative research programs which will contribute to improving the knowledge base and understanding of the resource To consider the goals of stakeholders with respect to social, cultural and economic value of the fishery To consider health and safety in the development and implementation of management plans, fishery openings and closures. 3. HISTORY OF THE FISHERY The herring fishery began in 1877 with the first commercial catch being done by beach seine. A total of 75 tons was caught and sold for food. Between 1877 and 1906, catches increased to 500 tons with the main centres of fishing near Vancouver and the East Coast of Vancouver Island. In 1906 the dry salt market developed in China and the demand for herring increased dramatically. By 1909 the annual catch was up to 30,000 tons, and between 1909 and 1919, it ranged from 15,000 to 35,000 tons. During World War I the dry salt market decreased but the demand for canned herring increased, and between 1919 and 1927 the catches rose to 85,000 tons. The dry salt market was finished by the middle of the 1930 s and catches dropped to 30,000 tons. By this time the reduction fishery was developing and the major portion of the catch went into this product. Between 1968 and 1971, when the reduction fishery was shut down due to the collapse of the B.C. herring stocks, the food and the fishery continued with catches in the range of 5,000 tons. The major portion of this catch went into the bait fishery where it was used mainly for halibut bait. In the mid 1970 s, the European stocks collapsed and buyers from Europe came to B.C. looking for herring. As a result catches increased to a peak of 20,000 tons in The stocks in Europe quickly 2000/2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan Page 3 of 11

8 rebuilt and as the market dried, the demand for food and bait herring declined. The largest market at this time was for bait to supply the Alaska king crab fishery. By 1982 the roe herring fishers were concerned that the large amount of herring being exported to Alaska was taking away from the high value roe fishery. As a result of this concern, a 50 individual vessel quota system was put in place in 1988, and total coast wide quota was limited to 1,500 tons. Since that time the markets for domestic food and bait herring has been limited, and catches have varied from 600 to 1200 tons annually. 4. ENFORCEMENT PLAN Fisheries and Oceans Canada has the responsibility to enforce the Fisheries Act and associated regulations, to address conservation, health and safety issues and to maintain proper management and control of the various fisheries. Users of the resource have a responsibility to report violations. Any suspected or actual fisheries, wildlife or pollution violations can be quickly and discretely reported to the appropriate enforcement officer by using the toll free Observe, Record and Report hotline. This toll free number is available 24 hours a day. Confidentiality is assured. OBSERVE, RECORD AND REPORT DFO ( ) Enforcement enquiries can also be directed to the local field offices during regular office hours. 5. ABORIGINAL FISHERIES PLAN Fisheries and Oceans Canada recognizes the importance of fish, including invertebrates, to the aboriginal peoples of British Columbia. Through the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy, the department seeks to negotiate, with aboriginal organizations, access for food, social and ceremonial purposes. Subject to conservation, this access will have priority over access for commercial and recreational user groups. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will consult with aboriginal organizations to determine what these accesses should be. In some cases, instead of negotiating access, an area may be closed to certain fishing except fishing by an aboriginal organization. These closures may be for the season or for specified times. Whenever possible, the appropriate annual fishing plan will identify such closures. It is possible, however, that situations may arise in the implementation of this plan where access to the fishery by aboriginal organizations for food, social and ceremonial purposes is jeopardized. In-season closure adjustments may be required. Communal licences will be issued to the aboriginal organization for the purpose of fishing. 6. SPORT FISHING PLAN The recreational harvest of various fish and invertebrate species in B.C. is regulated via the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 made under the Fisheries Act. A DFO Tidal Waters Page 4 of /2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan

9 Sport Fishing Licence is required for the recreational harvest of all species of fish. The regulations are summarized annually in the British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide which lists closed times, bag limits, size limits (where applicable) and closed areas. If necessary, public notices are posted to document closures or changes from the Guide. Closures may be implemented in order to conserve vulnerable stocks, or to protect the public from consumption of contaminated shellfish or to meet aboriginal food, social and ceremonial needs. For some species, areas have been closed to commercial harvest or commercial harvest openings have been delayed to provide an opportunity for the recreational community. The primary consultative body for the recreational fishing community is the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB). The SFAB has representatives from all parts of this community including the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Sport Fishing Institute of B.C. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact a Recreational Fisheries Coordinator listed in Section 1 of this fishing plan or a local Fisheries Office. The daily maximum sport limit for food and bait herring is 20kg, with a 2 day possession limit of 40kg. 7. COMMERCIAL FISHING PLAN 7.1. Management Changes For the 2000 season, only those vessels that have an H seine licence will be eligible for entry into the lottery draw. Vessels that have an A seine or a T trawl category licence will no longer be eligible. This change was brought about to prevent vessels that are not suitable, or not equipped to catch and handle herring properly, from entering into this fishery Management Objectives Herring caught in this fishery is intended to provide a small quantity of herring to firms wanting to engage in secondary processing of food herring products, and to satisfy frozen bait requirements of commercial fishers. All herring caught under this vessel quota system must, as a condition of the licence, be delivered to a British Columbia port for catch weigh-in. Any excess to the allotted 50 ton boat quota will be relinquished directly to the Crown. After the weigh-in, any portion of the vessel quota may be exported fresh, frozen or in a fully processed form Open Times and Areas Fishing will be permitted from 0001 hours November 5, 2000 to 2359 hours January 19, 2001 in the following Areas and Subareas. Areas may be closed in the event that small, damaged or unsuitable fish are being spilled, or if substantial incidental catches of salmon occur. 2000/2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan Page 5 of 11

10 If stock concerns are identified, some Areas or Subareas may close on short notice Johnstone Strait Area 13: Subareas 13-7 to excluding Deepwater Bay inside a line from Seperation Head to the opposite shore Strait of Georgia Area 13: Subareas 13-7 to excluding Deepwater Bay inside a line from Seperation Head to the opposite shore. If stocks are unavailable in Areas 14, 17, 18 or 19, vessels will be permitted to fish in Area Area 14: Subareas 14-1 to 14-5 and 14-7 to Area 17: Subareas 17-1 to 17-3 excluding that portion northeasterly of a line from Cayetano Point on Valdes Island to Alcala Point on Galiano Island, 17-4 to 17-6, 17-8 to and to Area 18: Subareas 18-1, 18-2 excluding that portion northeasterly of a line from Collinson Point on Galiano Island to Enterprise Reef Buoy to Crane Point on Mayne Island, 18-3 to 18-5, 18-9 to Area 19: Subarea 19-3 only Area 29: Subarea 29-5 only Permanent Area Closures Area closures are detailed below. There may be additional closures in-season by Fisheries Variation Order and Public Notice. Consult with the local fisheries office before fishing in an area Area Deepwater Bay: That portion of Subarea 13-7 easterly of a line from a boundary sign at Separation Head across to a fishing boundary sign Discovery Passage: Subareas 13-3, 13-4, and Area Baynes Sound: Subareas 14-11, 14-14, and Area Porlier Pass: A portion of Subarea 17-3 northeasterly of a line from Cayetano Point on Valdes Island to Alcala Point on Galiano Island Nanaimo Harbour: Subarea Page 6 of /2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan

11 Ladysmith Harbour: Subarea Area Active Pass: A portion of Subarea 18-2 northeasterly of a line from Collinson Point to Enterprise Reef to Crane Point on Mayne Island Cowichan Bay: Subarea Maple Bay/Sansum Narrows: A portion of Subarea 18-7 northerly of Burial Islet Area Saanich Inlet: Subareas 19-7 to Victoria Harbour: Subarea Esquimalt Harbour: Subarea 19-2 and portion of 19-3 northerly of a line from Saxc Point to Fisguard Light then to the southern tip of Esquimalt Lagoon Area Licensing Fraser River: Subareas 29-7 to Licence Category Species Gear A category ZM licence is required to harvest food and bait herring. Herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) Seine A herring purse seine must not exceed 410 m (225 fathoms) in length, and the mesh size shall not be less than 25 mm (1 ) extension measure Licence Category A category ZM licence will be issued from licensing offices in Prince Rupert, Nanaimo or Vancouver Licence conditions will include: a) 50 ton quota per licence. 2000/2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan Page 7 of 11

12 b) Seine vessels must have the herring seine on the drum prior to the fishery opening. This may help reduce the incidence of large sets (exceeding the 50 ton quota). c) Time frame and location of the fishery. d) Vessels must have a full sized herring seine, along with all the associated gear (i.e. pumps, winches, power skiffs), to fish and haul the gear, as well as adequate electronic equipment for locating and estimating herring schools. e) Licences are non-transferable. In addition to the Food and Bait Herring Lottery fishery, there are also fishing opportunities available for limited tonnage of other food and bait herring uses such as: personal bait, bait impoundment s, commercial bait, charity fisheries, food for zoo and aquariums. These fisheries are managed under the Special Use Herring Management Plan and are licensed under category ZX and ZY licences Licensing Requirements Successful lottery vessels will be issued a 2000 ZM category licence with a $30.00 licence fee. Prior to licence issuance, successful vessels will be required to produce documentation showing that the vessel has an approved stability certificate for catching or packing herring, in addition to providing a completed application form Each interested vessel owner may submit an application to fish in only one area. Lottery applications will be accepted at the Prince Rupert (Fax: [250] ), Nanaimo (Fax: [250] ) and Vancouver (Fax: [604] ) licensing offices, commencing on October 16, 2000 and terminating at 16:00 hrs on October 24th, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Licensing and Industry representatives will conduct the draw in Vancouver, at 1000 hrs Friday, October 27, There will be a notice to industry identifying successful vessels following the draw on October Each HS licence may be entered on one application only. Vessels may be submitted on more that one application with different HS licences but only eligible for one 50 ton quota The vessel must be licensed in 2000 in the H seine licence category The vessel must have a valid herring stability certificate for catching or packing herring as required under the Canada Shipping Act. This lottery entry system will prevent vessels that are not suitable, or not equipped to catch and handle herring properly, from entering into this fishery The vessel must have a full crew compliment and be fully equipped to catch, handle and carry their quota of herring Vessels catching or transporting herring during the fishery may require inspection of the fish hold and refrigeration systems prior to issuance of the licence. A Page 8 of /2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan

13 properly functioning chilled seawater (C.S.W.), or refrigerated seawater (R.S.W.); system is required for all vessels participating in the fishery Notification of Fishing In order to manage and control this fishery to quotas, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will require a minimum of two licensed/catcher vessels on the grounds when conducting fishing operations. As a result of this requirement, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Food and Bait Herring Fishery Manager, Rick Senger in Campbell River at (250) , must be notified a minimum of two days prior to the intended fishing date. This is to confirm open times, areas, vessels participating and the name of observer on board. This must be done during the normal office hours, which are 08:00 to 16:00 hrs, Monday to Friday Allocation and Catch Targets A total of 900 tons will be allocated to fishers by means of a lottery draw, (see Appendix 2). The 900 ton allocation will be split between Johnstone Strait and the Strait of Georgia as follows: Johnstone Strait (Area 13): 300 tons Strait of Georgia (Areas 13,14, 17, 18 and 19): 600 tons; if stocks are not available in Areas 14, 17, 18 or 19, vessels will be permitted to fish in Area The 900 tons allocated to the Food and Bait Herring Fishery south of Cape Caution will be issued in 50 ton lots. Six vessels will be selected to fish the 300 ton allocation in Johnstone Strait, and twelve vessels will be selected to fish the 600 tons in the Strait of Georgia Offloading All deliveries must be offloaded within 18 hours of capture. The onus is on the vessel master to make offloading arrangements. Loads will be subject to consistent monitoring for quality. Failure to comply with any of the conditions of the licence may result in cancellation of the licence and possible cancellation of other future fishing privileges. Schedule B (Part 4 Section 12) of the B.C. Fish Inspection Regulations states: Where fresh herring are destined for human consumption, processing, other than by icing or chilling, shall commence within 24 hours of delivery (offloading) at the processing establishment, and shall not be discontinued until the fish has been preserved to a degree which ensures maximum quality of the end product Onboard Observers 2000/2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan Page 9 of 11

14 Vessels must have a Fisheries and Oceans Canada approved observer on board at all times while carrying out fishing operations. This means that the observer must be on board prior to the vessel making a seine set and remain on board until the herring is off loaded and weighed. Arrangements for hiring qualified observers can be made through the following companies: Company Name Address Phone Fax Archipelago Marine Research Howard McElderry or Donna Grant # Head St Victoria, B.C. V9A 5S1 (250) (250) Rick Hobbs Site 40, RR 2, C-8 Gabriola Island, B.C. V0R 1X0 (250) (250) J.O. Thomas & Associates 7.9. Overages D. Tallman 1370 Kootenay St Vancouver, B.C. V5K 4R1 (604) (604) In the event more than 50 tons are delivered, a relinquishment, (see Appendix 1) of the excess herring will be made by the fisher/licence holder directly to the Crown. No person who is fishing under the authority of a licence issued for the purpose of commercial fishing shall dump from a vessel any fish that has been caught in accordance with the Fisheries Act and the Regulations made thereunder Catch Reporting Fish Slip Requirements It is a condition of this licence that an accurate written report shall be furnished on a fish slip of all herring caught under the authority of this licence. The report shall be mailed within seven days of off-loading to: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Catch Statistics Unit # West Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5G3 Fish slip books may be purchased at the above address, or at most Fisheries and Oceans offices. Phone (604) ADVISORY CONTACTS Page 10 of /2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan

15 The Food and Bait Herring Fishing plan is developed on a yearly basis through the Herring Technical Working Group, and the Herring Industry Advisory Board. There is currently no formal in-season advisory process for this fishery. 9. ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: Relinquishment of Claim Attachment 2: Boat Quota Lottery System Application Form 2000/2001 Food and Bait Herring Management Plan Page 11 of 11

16 Appendix 1: Relinquishment of Claim DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS FILE RELINQUISHMENT OF CLAIM NAME: ADDRESS: PROVINCE: TELEPHONE: BY THESE PRESENTS, ON BEHALF OR ON THE BEHALF OF MY HEIRS, EXECUTORS OR ADMINISTRATOR RELEASE FOREVER THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS FROM ALL MANNER OF ACTIONS, SUITS OR DEMANDS IN ANY WAY AND DECLARE BEING FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE ACTION TAKEN AND THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING: DESCRIPTION Witness Signature Date Date Appendix 1: Relinquishment of Claim Page 1 of 1

17 Appendix 2: Boat Quota Lottery System Application Form 2000 Application for Commercial Fishing Licence for Category ZM Licence FISHING WITH A VESSEL 1. Application must be submitted in person, by fax or by mail to: Commercial Licence Unit Commercial Licence Unit Commercial Licence Unit Hastings St W 60 Front St nd Ave W Vancouver BC Nanaimo BC Prince Rupert BC V6B 5G3 V9R 5H7 V8J 1G8 (604) (250) (250) (604) (fax) (250) (fax) (250) (fax) Office Hours 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Monday - Friday Except Wednesdays which are 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Please note the offices are closed between 12:00P.M. 1:00 P.M.

18 APPLICATION OCTOBER HERRING FOOD AND BAIT FISHERY BOAT QUOTA LOTTERY SYSTEM I,, the owner/operator of the herring fishing vessel, type of Licence (ie. A, H or T ) and CFV#, submit application to enter the 1999 Herring Food Bait quota lottery system. My vessel has a functional R.S.W. C.S.W. Refrigeration system. ENTRY DETAILS 1. The 1999 Food and Bait Management Plan is expected to be finalised in late October. It is anticipated that Food & Bait herring fishing licences will be issued for 17 vessels in the 2000 Fishery: Anticipate 11 vessels will be allotted 50 ton quotas to be taken in the Straight of Georgia (Areas *13, 14,17 and 18) Anticipate 6 vessels will be allocated 50 tons to be taken in Johnstone Straight (Area 13). *If stocks are unavailable in Areas 14, 17, 18 or 19, Straight of Georgia vessels will be permitted to fish in Area All entries must be received at the Vancouver, Nanaimo or Prince Rupert licensing office no later than 16:00 hours on October 26, Entries must be signed by the vessel owner and may be faxed. All faxed entries must be received by 16:00 hours on October 26, Licences for this Fishery are non-transferable between vessels. 4. Each vessel must meet the following entry criteria: a) Vessel must have a valid 2000 T Trawl, H seine or A Seine licence. b) Vessel must have a valid herring stability certificate for catching or packing herring as required under the Canada Shipping Act. Successful vessels will be required to produce documentation showing that the vessel has an approved stability certificate for catching or packing herring before a licence will be issued. c) Vessel must have and use functioning R.S.W. or C.S.W. systems. d) Vessel must have and use full sized herring fishing gear (i.e. sonar, sounder, pump,net, skiff) and full crew compliment. e) Vessel must have a DFO approved observer on board during all fishing operations. f) Each vessel may only be entered once, therefore: Check one box only: A. Johnstone Straight (anticipate 6 boats to be chosen) B. Straight of Georgia (anticipate 11 boats to be chosen) g) All seine nets must be on the drum prior to fishing. It is hoped that this will reduce the incidence of large sets. SIGNED: DATED: PHONE NUMBER: FAX NUMBER: Departmental Use Only $ Date Received Amount Received Paid by Vessel Owner List # Cash/Cheque # Paid by other: CB # MO #