1. PART I - COASTAL FISHERY *

1.1. Management Changes for 2002/2003

1.2. Quotas and Open Times

1.2.1. Open Times

1.2.2. Total Allowable Catch

1.3. Area Closures

1.3.1. Halibut Fishery Opening Closures

1.3.2. Queen Charlottes

1.3.3. Swiftsure Area

1.3.4. Rockfish Protection Areas

1.4. Licensing

1.4.1. License Category

1.4.2. Species

1.4.3. Gear

1.4.4. Size Limits

1.4.5. License Transfers

1.4.6. License Fees

1.4.7. License Issuance

1.5. Individual Vessel Quotas

1.5.1. Allocation of Individual Vessel Quota for 2002/2003

 1.5.2. Individual Vessel Quota Reallocations

1.5.3. Quota Overages/Underages

1.6. Port Monitoring and Validation

1.7. Designated Offloading Locations

1.8. Offloading at Net Pens

1.9. At Sea Monitoring

 1.9.1. Observers and/or Electronic Monitoring

1.9.2. Selection of Vessels for At-sea Sampling Program

1.9.3. Requests for Observer Coverage

1.10. Harvest Log data

1.11. Fish Slip Requirements

2. PART II – 2002 OFFSHORE SEAMOUNT FISHERY

2.1. Management Changes for 2003

2.2. Quotas and Open Times

2.2.1. Total Allowable Catch

2.2.2. Open Times

2.3. Authorized Areas

2.4. Licensing

2.4.1. Licensing Category

2.4.2. Species

2.4.3. Gear

2.4.4. License Fees

 2.4.5. License Issuance and Selection Process

 2.4.6. Biological Sampling Requirements

2.4.7. General

2.5. Rockfish By-catch

2.6. Port Monitoring Validation

2.7. Designated Offloading Locations

2.8. At Sea Monitoring

2.8.1. Observers and Electronic Monitoring Systems

2.9. Harvest Log Data

2.10. Fish Slip Requirements

 

1. Part I – Coastal Fishery
   1. Management Changes for 2002/2003

1. The allocation from the sablefish TAC available for harvest by the "K" licensed fleet during the 2002/2003 fishing season is 973 metric tonnes fresh round weight tonnes, considerably lower than the 3,567 metric tonnes available at the start of the 2001/2002.
2. As a result of an inseason reduction in the 2001/2002 TAC, "K" licensed vessels were allowed to reallocate some or all of their 2001/2002 IVQ to the 2002/2003 fishing season. The total 2001/2002 reallocation by the fleet is 910 metric tonnes and will be harvested in 2002/2003.
3. To address significant reductions in the sablefish TAC and concurrent reductions in the allocation of sablefish for the groundfish trawl ("T" license) fishery, limited temporary reallocations of sablefish from "K" licensed vessels to "T" licensed vessels will be permitted during the 2002/2003 fishery (see Section 1.5.3.).
4. No person shall set a trap and leave the trap in the water for more than four consecutive days without lifting the trap from the water and removing all of the sablefish from it. Vessels leaving unattended gear in the water for more than four consecutive days shall be required to take an at-sea observer for the remainder of the fishing year.
5. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will require at-sea observer monitoring of 15 percent of the estimated fishing days for the 2002/2003 fishing season. The at-sea monitoring program will be managed and co-ordinated by the Canadian Sablefish Association (CSA) and will use certified observers (See Section …..).
6. All vessels are required to carry an at-sea observer each trip that the vessel embarks upon, unless they have been given an exemption. To facilitate this requirement, vessels must hail-out a minimum of 24 hours prior to leaving port to commence a fishing trip. In addition, vessels can only hail out between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. seven days a week.
7. To address the special concern that DFO has identified for in-shore rockfish in the inside waters, additional Rockfish Protection Area closures will be identified and implemented in the sablefish fishery in-season (see Section 1.3.4.).
8. In order to maintain a fair and orderly opening for the 2003 pacific halibut fishery, specific area closures by licence condition to hook and line fishing for sablefish will be in effect 72 hours prior to the commencement of the halibut fishery. Hook and line vessels wishing to fish in the closed areas during that time must carry an at-sea observer and request an amendment to their licence conditions (see Section 1.3.1. for list of closed areas).
9. In 2003, all sablefish vessels using hook & line gear are required to use mandatory seabird avoidance devices and measures. The use of seabird avoidance devices includes the use of single and paired streamers and a towed buoy. Measures include the use of weighted ground lines and bait type (see Section 1.4.4. and 1.4.5.).
10. In consultation with the CSA and other interested parties, DFO is currently developing a Marine Protected Area plan for the Bowie Seamount, including a research and management program. Implementation of a Bowie Seamount MPA plan will result in the removal of access to Bowie Seamount from the Offshore Seamount Fishery in this plan.

1. Quotas and Open Times
   1. Open Times

      The 2002/2003 sablefish fishery will open August 1, 2002, and will remain open until July 31, 2003. Although the fishery is open until July 31, 2003, all fish must be landed prior to midnight July 31, 2003.

   2. Total Allowable Catch

The allocation from the sablefish TAC available for harvest by the "K" licensed fleet during the fishing season, identified in this management plan, is 973 metric tonnes fresh round weight.

3. 2001/2002 IVQ Reallocations

A total of 910 metric tonnes of 2001/2002 sablefish TAC has been reallocated by "K" licensed vessels for harvest under this management plan.

1. Area Closures

The following area closures shall be in effect for "K" licensed vessels in 2002/2003.

The Sablefish Advisory Committee recommended the following areas be closed again in 2002/2003 for conservation reasons. This recommendation was based on stock assessment and research cruises completed in the fall of 1994 that indicated a high proportion of juvenile sablefish in these areas:

1. Johnstone, Georgia and Juan De Fuca Straits and Waters Adjacent to the West Coast of Vancouver Island inside the surfline. Closed year-round in Areas 11 to 29 inclusive except for Area 22.
2. North coast and central coast. Closed year-round Areas 3 through 10.
3. Hecate Strait and Central Queen Charlotte Sound. Closed year-round in Areas 103 to 107, Subareas 102-1 and in that portion of 102-2 that lies northerly of a line from 52°10.000’ north latitude 130°57.395’ west longitude to 52°27.020’ north latitude and 130°16.621’ west longitude.

1. Halibut Fishery Opening Closures

   In order to maintain a fair and orderly opening for the 2003 pacific halibut fishery, the following areas are closed by licence condition to hook and line fishing for sablefish 72 hours prior to the opening. Hook and line sablefish vessels wishing to fish in these areas during those times must carry a DFO certified observer and request an amendment to their licence conditions.

    

   1. Langara Island

      Waters inside a line from:	54°09.25’N	132°40’W (near Klashwun Point, Graham Island)
      thence northerly to:	54°30’N	132°40’W
      thence westerly to:	54°30’N	133°17.39’W on the Canada-US boundary
      thence southerwesterly along the Canada-US boundary to:	54°18.11’N	134°00’W
      thence southerly to:	53°47’N	134°00’W
      thence easterly to:	53°47’N	133°07.20’W (near Tian Head, Graham Island)

       

   2. Cape St. James

      Waters inside a line from:	52°11’N	131°22.16’W (Moresby Island at southwest entrance to Flamingo Inlet)
      thence westerly to:	52°10’N	131°30’W
      thence southerly to:	51°30’N	131°30’W
      thence easterly to:	51°30’N	130°00’W
      thence northerly to:	52°10’N	130°00’W
      thence westerly to:	52°13’N	131°00.30’W (Moresby Island near Garcin Rocks)

       

   3. North Triangle

   Waters inside a line from:	51°15’N	130°00’W
   thence southerly to:	51°00’N	130°00’W
   thence easterly to:	51°00’N	129°30’W
   thence northerly to:	51°15’N	129°30’W

    

2. Queen Charlottes

   Closed year round in Subareas 2-1, 2-63 to 2-68 and those portions of Subarea 2-69 Hunter Point to Fame Point shoreward of the 50 fathom contour line as shown on Chart 3869 as published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service of the Department. The intent of the closure is to reduce harvesting pressure on localized stocks of fish, and to provide improved access for First Nations food, social and ceremonial purposes.

3. Swiftsure Area

   The following "swiftsure area" is closed to all hook and line fishing for any species:

   Portions of Subareas 121-1 and 121-2 inside a line connecting the following latitude and longitude co-ordinates: 48°34’N, 125°06’W thence to 48°34’N, 124°54.20’W thence to 48°29.62’N, 124°43.40’W thence following the international boundary to 48°29.30’N, 124°58’W thence in a straight line to the point of commencement.

4. Rockfish Protection Areas

   Additional area closures to address inshore rockfish conservation concerns are expected to be implemented in-season.

   The following areas will again be closed year-round for rockfish conservation, (see Appendix 3 for RPA maps).

    

   1. Frederick Island to Tian Head

      Those portions of Subareas 1-1 and 101-1 that are inside a line that:
       

   begins at	53°57.0’N	133°07.0’W
   then westerly to	53°56.0’N	133°12.0’W
   then true west to	53°56.0’N	133°26.0’W
   then southeasterly to	53°47.0’N	133°15.0’W
   then true east to	53°47.0’N	133°07.0’W

    

   1. South Moresby, McLean-Fraser Point to Grey Rock

      Subareas 2-31 to 2-37 and those portions of Subareas 102-3, 130-3 and 142-1 that are inside of a line that:

      begins at	52°12.0’N	131°25.0’W
      then southwesterly to	52°11.0’N	131°30.0’W
      then southeasterly to	51°49.0’N	130°57.0’W
      then northerly to	51°54.0’N	130°54.0’W
      then northeasterly to	51°59.0’N	131°00.0’W

       

   2. Scott Islands

      Those portions of Subarea 12-14, 27-1, Area 111 and Subareas 127-3 and 127-4 that are inside a line that:

      Begins at	50°48.0’N	128°21.0’W
      then northerly to	50°52.0’N	128°20.0’W
      then true west to	50°52.0’N	129°00.0’W
      then true south to	50°42.0’N	129°00.0’W.
      then true east to	50°42.0’N	128°20.5’W

       

   3. Topknot

      Those portions of Subareas 27-2, 127-1 and 127-3 that are inside a line that:

      Begins at	50°36.5’N	128°18.0’W
      then true west to	50°36.5’N	128°20.0’W
      then southerly to	50°28.0’N	128°18.0’W
      then true east to	50°28.0’N	128°06.0’W

       

   4. Hesquiat Pennisula

      Those portions of Subareas 124-4, 125-1, 125-2, and 125-5 inside a line:

      that begins at Split Cape
      then continues in a westerly direction to	49°26.0’N	126°48.0’W
      then southerly to	49°21.0’N	126°42.0’W
      then easterly to	49°22.5’N	126°28.5’W
      then follows the shoreline to the beginning point.

       

   5. Barkley Sound

Area 23 and those portions of Subareas 123-1 and 123-3 that are inside a line that:
 

1. Licensing
   1. Licence Category

      This plan applies to all commercial sablefish vessels licensed under a category "K" license. For information regarding the harvesting of other species (Category "C" licence or Schedule II species), which includes lingcod, dogfish, sole, flounder, skate, Pacific cod and tuna, please refer to the applicable management plan.

   2. Species

      Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)

   3. Gear

      Fishing for sablefish is permitted only by trap and/or hook and line gear.

      By regulation, no person shall fish for sablefish with a trap, unless the trap has in a side wall a section that has been laced, sewn or otherwise secured by a single length of untreated natural fibre not larger than 2 mm in diameter and that, on deterioration or parting, produces in the side wall an opening with four sides, each of which is at least 20 cm in length.

      By licence condition, no person shall fish for sablefish with a trap unless the trap has in the side walls at least two escape openings each having an inside diameter of not less than 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) which creates an unrestricted exit out of the trap.

      No person shall set a trap and leave the trap in the water for more than four consecutive days without lifting the trap from the water and removing all of the sablefish from it. Vessels leaving gear unattended must notify Archipelago Marine Research Limited (AMR) upon leaving the gear and identify gear location, time and date gear was set and estimated return time. Vessels must notify AMR upon returning to unattended gear. Vessels leaving unattended gear in the water for more than four consecutive days will be required to take an onboard observer at the vessel’s expense for the remainder of the season.

       

   4. Seabird Avoidance Measures and Devices

By licence condition all sablefish hook and line vessels must use mandatory seabird avoidance measures and devices to avoid the incidental catch of seabirds. There are three major requirements outlined in the licence conditions:

1. All hook and line vessels must use the avoidance measures listed in detail in the licence conditions, including the use of weighted ground lines, thawed bait and additional weights on the ground line. Vessels must ensure that the discharge of bait and offal is handled in a reasonable manner such that it does not attract seabirds to fishing hooks.

    

2. All hook and line vessels must release all birds caught in the least harmful manner and record birds caught in logbooks as by-catch. A record shall be kept as to the quantity caught, species, and condition (alive or dead) of birds upon release; this record shall be made daily.

    

3. Based on vessel size and location of fishing activity, hook and line vessels must use seabird avoidance devices including the use of single and paired streamers and a towed buoy.

Licence holders are required to ensure they refer to their licence conditions for specific avoidance requirements.

1. Handling Live Birds

The Canadian Wildlife Service provides the following bird handling guidelines:

Seabirds have strongly pointed or hooked bills and will inflict damage to a person’s hand or body. Before handling a bird, it may be advisable to put on a pair of gloves. NEVER HOLD A BIRD CLOSE TO YOUR EYES. Get the bird on board as quickly and gently as possible and, depending upon the size of the bird, seize the bill (large birds like an albatross) or immobilize their wings (medium to small birds like fulmars, shearwaters, auks, gulls).

1. Grab the bill.
2. Restrain the wings to prevent flapping.
3. Determine location of hook.
4. Cut barbed end off with pliers.
5. Remove hook from body or bill.
6. If hooks were swallowed, do not remove hook backward up a bird’s throat.
7. First, attempt to reach down the bird’s throat and remove the hook.
8. If unable to reach hook, make a small (1-2 cm) incision in the bird’s neck and pull out the hook.
9. If an incision is made, place bird in a dark, clean, dry box for 1-2 hours to let it recover. Return to the water only during the daylight hours.

1. Size Limits

   By regulation, no person shall catch and retain a sablefish that is less than 55 cm in length, measured from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail or where the head has been removed, 39 cm in length measured from the origin of the first dorsal fin to the fork of the tail.

    

2. Vessel Replacement

   The sablefish vessel "K" licence eligibility can be separated from any combination of married licences as long as it is placed on another commercially licensed fishing vessel, of any length, that is not a sablefish "K" licensed vessel.

   A single "K" licence eligibility may be transferred to an unlicensed vessel, but that vessel cannot exceed the overall length of the existing vessel.

   In cases where the "K" licence is transferred permanently to a vessel which only holds a "C" licence, then the "C" licence privilege must be permanently retired.

   In cases where a vessel owner applies under the Department’s existing temporary transfer policy to transfer the "K" licence temporarily to a vessel which holds only a "C" licence, then the "C" licence privilege will be held by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the time the licence is temporarily transferred to that vessel.

   Vessel owners wishing to make permanent or temporary "K" licence transfers must apply to the Commercial Licence Unit, in Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Approval of temporary or permanent transfers is the responsibility of the Commercial Licence Unit.

3. Licence Fees

   Licence fees are $241.00 multiplied by the number of tonnes of sablefish authorized to be taken under the licence, minus 40 percent of that product where the product is less than $2,500.00, or minus $1,000.00 where the product is $2,500.00 or more. In other words, fees are $241 per tonne based on the initial allocation of a licence, less 40 percent up to a maximum reduction of $1,000.

4. Licence Issuance

Fisheries and Oceans Canada requirements before issuing any "K" licence or quota reallocations are as follows:

1. The Department must have received all sablefish fishing logbook pages and fish slips containing 2001/2002 information.
2. All relinquishments of claim for sablefish IVQ overages have been paid to the Receiver General of Canada.
3. Licenced vessel owners must produce a document providing notice that they have entered into an agreement for 2002/2003 with a service provider, acknowledging they are participants in a system for verifying the poundage of sablefish caught and offloaded by "K" licensed vessels that is acceptable to the Department.
4. The sablefish licence must be issued prior to any licence amendment issuance or processing of a "Request for Reallocation of Sablefish IVQ".
5. A valid licence amendment must be issued by the Groundfish Management Unit and onboard while the vessel is engaging in any fishing activity.

1. Individual Vessel Quotas
   1. Allocation of Individual Vessel Quota for 2002/2003

      At the commencement of the 2002/2003 fishing year, the percentage of each vessel’s IVQ for sablefish as of midnight July 31, 2002 following the automatic return of all temporary IVQ reallocations, will be applied against the 2002/2003 sablefish TAC available for harvest by the "K" licensed fleet to determine the actual poundage of sablefish initially allocated to the vessel for the year.

      To allow for adequate time to process all permanent transfers prior to the start of the 2002/2003 commercial sablefish fisheries, permanent transfers will not be permitted between July 17, 2002 and July 31, 2003.

   2. Individual Vessel Quota Reallocations Between "K" Licensed Vessels

The following guidelines for the reallocation of sablefish IVQ will be implemented for the 2002/2003 sablefish fishery:

1. Upon application, vessel owners will be permitted to make unlimited permanent and temporary reallocations of sablefish IVQ.
2. Sablefish licence fees must be paid prior to any sablefish IVQ being reallocated.
3. IVQ can only be reallocated between vessels holding a commercial sablefish licence.
4. IVQ that has already been caught cannot be reallocated.
5. Permanent reallocations will be expressed as a percentage of the TAC, and will be added to the receiving vessel’s percentage of the TAC. (For example, the poundage held by any licence is dependent on the total TAC for the year, and the percent of the allocation that vessel holds at any give time).
6. Temporary reallocation of IVQ will only be valid for the current fishing year and will automatically be allocated back to the original vessel prior to midnight of July 31, 2003.
7. The minimum quantity of sablefish IVQ that may be reallocated is the percentage that corresponds to one (1) pound.
8. Reallocations of IVQ will be permitted while the vessel is hailed out.
9. Vessel owners wanting to reallocate sablefish IVQ will be required to complete a Request for a "K" Licence Amendment for the Permanent/Temporary Reallocation of Sablefish IVQ form, and have this form delivered in person, or by fax, to the Groundfish Management Unit. Upon receipt of this form and approval of the quota reallocation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will issue a licence amendment to each vessel involved reflecting adjusted IVQ amounts. Vessel Masters are reminded that the vessel’s current licence amendment must be carried on-board the vessel.

For permanent sablefish reallocations all owners of record must sign this form. If any of the vessel owners are a company, the Department must have on record a copy of the company’s last annual report and a letter advising who the signing authorities for the company are. For temporary reallocations of sablefish only one owner is required to sign this form.

1. Individual Vessel Quota Reallocations Between "K" and "T" Vessels

   To address significant reductions in the sablefish TAC and concurrent reductions in the allocation of sablefish for the groundfish trawl ("T" license) fishery, limited temporary reallocations of sablefish from "K" licensed vessels to "T" licensed vessels will be permitted during the 2002/2003 fishery. Rules for temporary reallocations to "T" licensed vessels will be consistent with the procedures outlined in Section 1.5.2

2. Quota Overages/Underages

Vessel owners and fishers are reminded that in all cases the vessel licence which fished the quota, and had an underage or overage, will have its IVQ reduced or increased in the next licence year by the full amount of the overage, or applicable underage associated with the entire quota fished by that vessel. The rules for the carryover of sablefish, individual vessel quota underages or overages are as follows:

1. Licensed sablefish vessels landing up to five percent or 1,000 pounds (whichever is greater) over the vessel’s total sablefish IVQ may keep the proceeds from the overage, but will have the equivalent poundage of the overage subtracted from the vessel’s IVQ in the following year.
2. Licensed sablefish vessels landing more than five percent or 1,000 pounds (whichever is greater) over the vessel’s total sablefish IVQ, may keep the proceeds from the landed weight of the five percent of the total sablefish IVQ or 1,000 pounds (whichever is greater) of the overage, and must relinquish the remainder to the Crown. Further the total poundage of the overage (the five percent or 1,000 pounds plus the extra) will be subtracted from the vessel’s sablefish IVQ in the following year.
3. Vessels in an overage situation can avoid a relinquishment by reallocating applicable IVQ prior to hailing out for the vessel’s next trip or within 30 days, whichever comes first.
4. Licensed sablefish vessels at the end of the season that are 10 percent or less under the vessel’s total sablefish IVQ may have the equivalent poundage of the underage added to the vessel’s sablefish IVQ in the following year.
5. Licensed sablefish vessels at the end of the season that are more than 10 percent under the vessel’s total sablefish IVQ, may have the equivalent poundage for 10 percent of the vessel’s IVQ for that year added to the vessel’s IVQ in the following year and will forego the remainder.
6. Determination of IVQ overages and relinquishments shall be based on the IVQ indicated on the vessel licence at the time of offloading. Vessels reallocating additional quota shares onto the vessel following a quota overage and relinquishment (after the vessel has hailed out for another trip or following 30 days after the offload), will have the total overage (the five percent plus any relinquished amount) subtracted from the IVQ added to the vessel and shown on the reissued "K" licence. The vessel’s Sablefish Validation Record Book shall be adjusted by the Port Validator at the next offloading. Relinquishments for prior overages of more than five percent or 1,000 pounds of the vessel’s total IVQ will not be returned.
7. The carryover of underages or overages expires at the end of the year following the underage or overage by the licensed sablefish vessel (i.e. underages or overages cannot be carried over more than one year).
8. Relinquishment of Claim cheques for sablefish overages should be addressed and mailed to:

Receiver General of Canada
Fisheries and Ocean Canada
Groundfish Management Unit
460-555 West Hastings Street
Vancouver B.C. V6B 5G3

1. Port Monitoring and Validation

   Sablefish catches shall be monitored at designated offloading locations through a comprehensive dockside validation system. AMR of Victoria, B.C. is the designated contractor for this program and will supply certified observers to provide the port monitoring services. Arrangements for observers can be made by calling 1-800-663-7152. Fishers operating under the authority of the "K" licence must follow the monitoring requirements set out in the Conditions of Sablefish Licence. These conditions include hail-out and hail-in requirements.

   Vessel masters are reminded of their responsibility to abide by all Conditions of Sablefish Licence, and to ensure that they are fully aware of the reporting and fishing requirements.

2. Designated Offloading Locations

   There will be 100 percent coverage of all sablefish offloads by certified observers. Sablefish can be offloaded only at the following designated offloading locations:

   Coal Harbour	Port Alberni	Richmond	Winter Harbour
   Delta	Port Edward	Tofino	Zeballos
   Masset	Port Hardy	Ucluelet
   North Vancouver	Prince Rupert	Vancouver

    

3. Offloading at Net Pens

   Vessels wishing to offload live sablefish at a net pen site must apply to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by contacting the Sablefish Co-ordinator a minimum of two weeks prior to any such offloading. The vessel owner will be required to cover any additional monitoring, validation and tagging costs incurred. Subject to approval by the Department, the vessel owner should also contact AMR a minimum of seven days prior to any such offload to determine approximate costs and arrange for monitoring service.

4. At Sea Monitoring

   Information on all catch in the commercial sablefish fishery is necessary to strengthen stock assessment capabilities and to effectively monitor byctach. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will require at-sea observer monitoring of 15 percent of the fishing days for the 2002/2003 fishing season. Valuable information regarding catch composition by species and area will be collected from the at-sea monitoring program. The at-sea monitoring program will be managed and co-ordinated by CSA and will use certified observers. All vessels are required to carry an at-sea observer each trip that the vessel embarks upon unless they have been given an exemption. Vessel masters will be notified at the time of hail-out of the requirement to take an at-sea observer.

   Prior to commencement of fishing the vessel owner shall have a signed agreement with the contractor providing the services of a certified observer.

    

   1. Designation of Observers

      Certified observers will be designated to monitor fishing activity, examine fishing gear, record scientific data and observations, take samples, estimate the weight and identify species of fish caught, and inspect fishing records.

   2. Selection of Vessels for At-sea Sampling Program

      Vessels will be selected for catch sampling, depending on sampling requirements by area and time period. The number of days of coverage will be determined in-season according to area fished, gear type used and fishing effort.

   3. Requests for Observer Coverage

   Under Section 46 of the Fisheries Acts and Regulations, the licence holder or master of a fishing vessel shall, at the request of the Regional Director General, permit an observer to go on board that vessel to perform the designated duties for the period of time specified and arrange for embarkation or disembarkation of the observer at the times and places specified. The vessel master shall provide all reasonable assistance to the observer.

   Section 46 of the Fishery (General) Regulations outlines the specific responsibilities of the vessel master with respect to providing all reasonable assistance to the observer.

   In addition, vessels can only hail out between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. seven days a week The vessel owner or vessel master will be notified by AMR, the CSA, or by the Groundfish Management Unit, of the requirement to take an observer during the season.

    

5. Harvest Log data

The requirements are as follows:

1. A Sablefish Fishing Information Logbook is required and available from Archipelago Marine Research (AMR) by contacting (250) 383-4535.
2. The vessel master shall keep a record of all fishing activity carried out under the authority of this licence in the Sablefish Fishing Information Logbook.
3. The information shall be recorded in the logbook by midnight on each day fished.
4. The vessel master shall ensure that the logbook is available for use prior to fishing and that sufficient pages are available to cover any fishing trip.
5. The logbook shall be kept on board the vessel at all times and shall be made available for inspection upon request of an observer.
6. At completion of each landing, the completed original logbook sheet(s) from the Sablefish Fishing Information Logbook shall be provided to the observer attending the landing of fish, or shall be forwarded by the Master, within seven days of the landing date to the following designated representative:

Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.
#200 – 525 Head Street
Victoria, B.C. V9A 5S1

1. Fish Slip Requirements

It is a condition of the Category "K" licence that an accurate written report shall be furnished on a fish slip of all fish caught under the authority of this licence. A report must be made even if the fish landed are used for bait, personal consumption, or otherwise disposed. The written report shall be posted not later than seven days after the offloading and sent to:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Catch Statistics Unit
Stn. 420, 555 West Hastings Street
Vancouver B.C. V6B 5G3
604-666-3784

Fish slip books may be purchased at the above address, or at most Fisheries and Oceans offices. Phone 604- 666-2716.

1. Part II – 2003 Offshore Seamount Fishery
   1. Background

      The Department has allowed a limited experimental fishery for sablefish on seamounts located within Canada’s 200 mile limit between 100 to 200 miles offshore. This experimental fishery was initiated to assess the potential of the seamounts to support a sustainable commercial fishery, and to obtain biological information on sablefish populations located on the seamounts. Limited information collected suggests that populations found on the seamounts are a separate management unit from the commercial populations found further inshore along the continental slope (Whitaker and McFarlane 1997). Therefore, fishing activities on the seamounts is likely not affecting the sablefish stock located in inshore slope waters. In addition, information collected on catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) suggests that the seamount fishery is a viable economic opportunity for sablefish vessels.

      As a result, the seamount fishery is no longer considered an experimental fishery and is incorporated within the regular IFMP planning process for sablefish. The seamount fishery will continue on a limited basis, with sample collection requirements in order to continue to monitor the fishery.

      In consultation with the CSA and other interested parties, DFO is currently developing a Marine Protected Area plan for the Bowie Seamount, including a research and management program, for implementation in 2003. Implementation of a Bowie Seamount MPA plan will likely result in Bowie Seamount being removed from the Offshore Seamount Fishery.

   2. Quotas and Open Times
      1. Total Allowable Catch

         Vessels are permitted to retain all sablefish caught each trip.

      2. Open Times

      The 2003 seamount fishery will open May 1, 2003 and will remain open until October 31, 2003. Licence amendments issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be valid for a calendar month.

   3. Authorized Areas

      For the purpose of the sablefish seamount fishery, Canada’s Pacific offshore waters have been divided into two areas (north and south). A description of the areas is as follows:

      Within Canadian waters not less than 100 nautical miles due west of all points of land and due west of a line drawn between Triangle Island (50° 51' 20" N 129° 05' 24" W) and Kerouard Islands (51° 54' 20" N 130° 58' 12" W) and either north or south of 50° 52'N.

   4. Licensing
      1. Licensing Category

         This plan applies to all commercial sablefish vessels licensed under a category "K" licence. Any vessel eligible for a "K" licence may apply for a licence amendment to fish for sablefish from the seamounts. Licences granted will allow a vessel to obtain sablefish from seamount areas and in quantities additional to the individual quota issued to that vessel.

         Amendment application forms for seamount fishing are available from the address below and must be submitted or faxed, no later than March 27, 2003 to the following:

         Sablefish Co-ordinator
         Groundfish Management Unit
         Department of Fisheries and Oceans
         Suite 300 - 555 West Hastings Street
         Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5G3
         Phone # 604-666-3279
         Fax # 604-666-8525

         Eligible vessels wishing to fish outside the 200 mile limit must complete a "Application For Licence to Fish or Trans-Ship Fish in Waters Other Than Canadian Fishing Waters" available from the Commercial Licence Unit and submit it along with a $500 licence fee.
          

      2. Species

         Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) and rockfish (Sebastes and Sebastolobus)
          

      3. Gear

         Fishing for sablefish on the seamounts is permitted only by trap and/or hook and line gear.

         By regulation, no person shall fish for sablefish with a trap, unless the trap has in a side wall a section that has been laced, sewn or otherwise secured by a single length of untreated natural fibre not larger than 2 mm in diameter and that, on deterioration or parting, produces in the side wall an opening with four sides, each of which is at least 20 cm in length.

         No person shall set a trap and leave the trap in the water for more than 4 consecutive days without lifting the trap from the water and removing all sablefish from it.

      4. Seabird Avoidance Measures and Devices

         By licence condition all sablefish hook and line vessels must use mandatory seabird avoidance measures and devices to avoid the incidental catch of seabirds. See Section …… .

          

      5. Licence Fees

         There is no additional fee for participating in the seamount fishery in Canadian waters. Vessels wishing to obtain a licence to fish seamounts outside of the 200 mile limit pay a $500.00 licence fee, (see Section 2.4.1 above).

      6. Licence Issuance and Selection Process

         Due to the limited number of seamounts available and the productivity of the seamounts, only one licence amendment will be issued in the Northern and Southern areas for each month.

         Fisheries and Oceans Canada will conduct a draw of sablefish amendment applications received by month and area to select participants for the fishery. The draw generates a priority list of vessels eligible for sablefish seamount licence amendments for each month and area. The first vessel drawn will have first option on participating in the fishery for that area and month. Each vessel is eligible to be drawn for each month and each area. Vessels may apply for amendments for either or both areas during any fishing period, however should a vessel be selected for two areas in the same month, the amendment issued will be on the basis of the order of preference indicated by the vessel owner in the application.

         For 2003 AMR will co-ordinate, document and notify vessels from the amendment eligibility list of their option to participate in the sablefish seamount fishery. AMR will notify successful candidates as fishing opportunities become available. The first vessels (north and south) on the list for each fishing period will be given ten working days from the time they are notified in which to decide if they wish to exercise their option to participate. In the event that the initial vessel for a fishing period declines the fishing opportunity, all subsequent vessels given the opportunity to participate shall be given 48 hours to decide if they will accept. It is the vessel owner’s responsibility to inform AMR of his decision. Vessel owners not contacting AMR in the prescribed time or deciding not to participate will be declared ineligible and the licence amendment eligibility will be offered to the next eligible vessel.

         Should all vessels eligible elect to not exercise their option when requested, Fisheries and Oceans Canada reserves the right to issue a sablefish seamount licence amendment to any other "K" licensed vessel.
          

      7. Biological Sampling Requirements

         Vessels operating under sablefish seamount licence amendment are required to collect one random sample of approximately 60 fish from each seamount fished each month. Sampling instructions will be provided by AMR prior to fishing.
          

      8. General

      Prior to fishing under authority of the sablefish seamount licence amendment, all fish, other than fish used for bait purposes, shall be offloaded from the vessel. Additionally, all fish taken from the authorized areas, shall be offloaded prior to the commencement of any other fishing activity.
       

   5. Rockfish By-catch

Rockfish by-catch is permitted subject to the following:

1. Vessels fishing with trap gear are permitted to land an amount of rockfish equivalent to 10 percent of the landed weight of sablefish each trip.
2. Vessels fishing with hook and line gear are permitted to land an amount of rockfish equivalent to 40 percent of the landed weight of sablefish each trip.
3. Vessels landing rockfish in excess of the permitted rockfish by-catch amount shall relinquish the overage to the Crown.
4. For any trip, trap vessels landing rockfish in excess of 20 percent of the landed round weight of sablefish, or hook and line vessels landing rockfish in excess of 50 percent of the landed round weight of sablefish shall not be permitted to participate in the remainder of the 2003 Sablefish Seamount Fishery or in the 2004 Sablefish Seamount Fishery.

1. Port Monitoring Validation

   Sablefish seamount catches shall be monitored at designated offloading locations through a comprehensive dockside validation system as outlined for the "K" licence in Section 1.6.

   Fishers operating under the authority of the "K" licence must follow the monitoring requirements set out in the Conditions of Sablefish Licence. These conditions include hail-out and hail-in requirements.
    

2. Designated Offloading Locations

   There will be 100 percent coverage of all sablefish seamount offloads by contracted Port Validators. The designated offloading locations for the seamount fishery are the same as outlined in Section 1.7.
    

3. At Sea Monitoring
    
   1. Observers and Electronic Monitoring Systems

   To assess compliance and for biological sampling requirements, the Department requires all permitted vessels to carry either an electronic monitoring system or a certified observer. Fisheries and Oceans Canada may request an on-board observer be taken. Vessels fishing with hook and line gear will be required to carry a certified observer. All related costs must be borne by the vessel.

   When the vessel master elects to carry an electronic monitoring device, that device must be capable of recording continuously for a minimum 960 hour period. If for any reason the installed electronic monitoring system becomes non-functional for a period exceeding 24 hours, the licence amendment becomes null and void. It is the vessel’s responsibility to ensure the recording unit is properly and securely mounted on the vessel.

   For vessels carrying a certified observer, the observer shall remain on board the vessel until offloading has commenced and a contracted Port Validator is present.

   Prior to commencement of fishing the vessel owner shall have either a signed agreement with the contractor providing the services of a certified observer or produce verification of the installation and good operating condition of the electronic monitoring system from the CSA.

   Observer and monitoring services are supplied by and can be arranged through:

   Archipelago Marine Research
   2nd Floor - 525 Head Street
   Victoria, BC V9A 5S1
   Phone # (250) 383-4535
   Fax # (250) 383-0103

4. Harvest Log Data

   The requirements for the seamount fishery are the same as outlined in Section 1.10.
    

5. Fish Slip Requirements

Fish slip requirements for the seamount fishery are the same as outlined in Section 1.11