Herring Links
button
|
|
Pelagics & Minor Finfish -
Pacific Region
Smelt Fishery
The surf smelt (Osmeridai other than Thaleichthys
pacificus) of the Burrard Inlet support a modest, traditionally
shore-based commercial and recreational fishery. Management
of surf smelt in Burrard Inlet involves both protection and
conservation of the spawning stock, as well as regulating the
sport and commercial fishery. A closure from June 15 to August
15 is set to protect the peak spawning period. In addition,
the commercial fishery occurs from Monday to Thursday and the
recreational fishery occurs from Friday to Sunday to minimize
conflict between commercial and sport fishers.
Surf smelt spawn in the summer in the upper intertidal zone.
Multiple spawnings within a tidal cycle and on subsequent days
are customary. It is during this spawning migration when smelt
are available to the fishery. The main fishery occurs in Burrard
Inlet. However, smelt are known to occur in other protected
areas of the North Coast and Georgia Strait.
A category "Z-8" licence is required to harvest smelt
without a vessel. For information concerning fishing smelt from
a registered fishing vessel, contact the Regional
Herring Coordinator. Gear used to harvest smelt are
seine net (maximum length of 90 m and minimum mesh size of 19
mm), and gill net (maximum length of 275 m and mesh size no
less than 25 mm and no greater than 50 mm. Gill nets are permitted
in Areas 28 and 29 only). |
