UFAWU-Unifor Fishermen

10/14/2026

Green Crabs are invasive on both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.

10/13/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CxwuUkLTc/

10/06/2026

FN1092- Sea Cucumber - North Coast - Areas 3, 4 and 5

Opening 00:01 hours October 7, 2026 in the following Quota Management Areas:

3A Work Channel Subarea 3-6.

3B Portland Inlet Subarea 3-7

3C Steamer Pass Subareas 3-8 and 3-10.

3D Pearse Canal Subarea 3-3 and Subarea 3-11 excluding that portion South of a line starting at the entrance to Winter Inlet at 54° 50.328' N and 130° 27.857' W across to a point at 54° 50.455' N and 130° 27.461' W.

4A West Dundas Island
Subareas 3-1 and 4-1.

4B East Dundas Island
That portion of Subarea 4-5 West of a line that runs from the subarea boundary at 54° 34.788' N and 130° 45.352' W [East Dundas Island] to a point at 54° 04.447'N and 130° 19.836' W [Northeast McMicking Island].

5H Grenville North
a) Subarea 5-1.
b) Subarea 5-23 excluding Kumealon Inlet East of a line across the mouth of the inlet; Baker Inlet East of a line across the mouth of the inlet, Kxngeal Inlet East of a line across the mouth of the inlet; and Klewnuggit Inlet East of a line across the mouth of the inlet.

The north coast fishery is also open in the following Quota Management Areas:

6E Princess Royal Channel
6F West Aristazabal Island
6J Surf Inlet
6L Tolmie Channel

For further information and contacts please see the 2026/2027 Sea Cucumber Integrated Fisheries Management Plan or call Pauline Ridings at (250) 618-8699.

Haida Gwaii, Central Coast, East Coast Vancouver Island and West Coast Vancouver Island openings are identified on separate notices.

For the complete Fisheries Notice:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

10/06/2026

FN1089 - Gill Net - Chum - Area D - Area 25 - Expanded Fishing Area - October 7, 2026

This fishery is a limited entry and limited effort fishery. The following two vessels were selected by the Area D Harvest Committee through a random draw (FN0728) to participate in this opening:

1. MISS MEG - 29727
2. OLD STYLE - 26622

This opening will be closed on short notice if any vessel, other than those listed above, attempt to participate in this fishery.

Further to Fishery Notice 1083, the fishing area has expanded to include Moutcha Bay. Gill nets open for 10.5 hours from 08:00 hours to 18:30 hours October 7, 2026 in the following Subareas:

A portion of Subarea 25-4 northerly of a line from Argonaut Point (49 degrees 43.248 minutes North by 126 degrees 29.479 minutes West) to the southernmost point on the island at the mouth of Galiano Bay (49 degrees 42.714 minutes North by 126 degrees 28.427 minutes West) then directly across to the Vancouver Island shore at 49 degrees 42.648 minutes North by 126 degrees 28.520 minutes west; and southeasterly of a line in Hisnit Inlet beginning near the entrance to Valdes Bay, located at a point at 49 degrees 43.900 minutes North by 126 degrees 29.633 minutes West then drawn southwesterly to the opposite shore to a point located at 49 degrees 43.710 minutes North by 126 degrees 30.336 minutes West; and

A portion of Subarea 25-5 at the head of Tlupana Inlet southerly of a line beginning near a point located at 49 degrees 46.768 minutes North by 126 degrees 28.827 minutes West, and south of a line beginning at a point located at 49 degrees 47.425 minutes north and 126 degrees 28.092 minutes West; and westerly of a line in Nesook Bay beginning at a point located at 49 degrees 45.899 minutes North by 126 degrees 26.365 minutes West then drawn southerly to the opposite shore to a point located at 49 degrees 45.468 minutes North by 126 degrees 26.048 minutes West.

The target species is Chum. Incidentally caught Chinook may be retained. Coho, Sockeye, Pink and Steelhead may not be retained.

Maximum gill net length is 375 m. Minimum mesh-size is 149 mm (5-7/8 inches). Maximum depth is 60 meshes. Maximum hang ratio is 3:1, cork-line to web distance minimum is 0 cm, maximum is 2 m.

For the complete Fisheries Notice:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

10/06/2026

FN1088 Troll - Chum salmon - Area H - Johnstone Strait - Areas 12 and 13 - Opening October 12, 2026

Area H Troll Johnstone Strait chum harvest opportunities will be managed as an Individual Transferable Effort demonstration fishery subject to in-season assessment information.

The total number of boat days available to the fleet is 180. Each licence will be assigned an allocation of nine (9) days of transferable effort.

The Area H Troll fishery is expected to open on October 12, 2026 and remain open until October 31, 2026 or until the maximum 180 boat days has been fished, whichever comes first. The fishery will close for one day on the first day of the Area B Seine fishery scheduled for October 21, 2026 and will re-open on October 22, 2026.

Area H vessel masters must follow the requirements of the conditions of licence to provide daily catch reports prior to 08:00 following each day fished as it will determine how long the fishery will remain open. If a vessel has filed a start fishing report and has not closed a fishing trip, it will be counted towards the total boat days and the fishery may close prior to achieving 180 boat days.

Boat days may be fished at any time within the fishing period and will be transferable only among Area H licence holders. Transfers to other gear types or licence holders are not permitted.

The start of this fishery is planned to occur in a harmonized fishing area encompassing the lower portion of Area 12 and the upper portion of Area 13 as described below on dates that respect the intent of the Interior Fraser Steelhead window closure for Areas 12 and 13.

Effective 00:01 hours October 12, 2026 to 23:59 hours October 20, 2026, troll will open for chum salmon in the following sub-areas:

12-1;
12-2;
a portion of 12-3
12-4;
12-5;

Effective 00:01 hours October 12, 2026 to 23:59 hours October 13, 2026, troll will open for chum salmon in the following sub-areas:

a portion of Subarea 13-6
a portionof sub-area 13-7
13-8 to 13-10;
a portion of 13-11
13-27 to 13-29;
a portion of 13-30
13-31;
13-32;
13-35;
a portion of 13-40

On October 14, there are boundary adjustments in Area 13.

Effective 00:01 hours October 14, 2026 to 23:59 hours October 20, 2026, troll will open for chum salmon in the following sub-areas:

a portion of sub-area 13-3
13-6;
a portion of sub-area 13-7
13-8 to 13-10;
a portion of 13-11;
13-27 to 13-29;
a portion of sub-area 13-30;
13-31;
13-32;
13-35;
a portion of 13-40

NOTES AND REMINDERS:

The target species in this fishery is chum salmon; the incidental catch of pink salmon may be retained in the areas open to fishing.

There will be non-retention of sockeye, coho, Chinook, and steelhead. This fishery has been designed to address stocks of concern constraints.

Licence eligibility holders are strongly encouraged to designate a signing authority prior to the start of the fishery. The designation permits allow someone else to authorize a boat day transfer if you are out fishing and are unable to complete the required transfer application.

The designation and reallocation forms are available from the DFO Pacific Region website at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/licence-commercial-permis-eng.html

For the description of sub-area "portions" go to the complete Fisheries Notice: https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=369484&ID=all

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

10/04/2026

JS Chum Update

Subject: FN1079-Chum - Johnstone Strait - Area 12 and 13 - Information Update - October 2, 2026

Johnstone Strait Chum test fishing catches to date have been higher than average and higher than those observed for the 2022 brood year. Based on this information, the Department currently assesses it is highly likely that the 2026 Inside Southern Chum Salmon return will exceed the 1.0 million Chum critical threshold identified in the 2026-2027 Southern Salmon Integrated Fishery Management Plan and Chapter 6 of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Abundance indicators will continue to be monitored, and this assessment may be adjusted based on the ongoing results of the Johnstone Strait Chum Salmon Test Fishery.

The 24-hour toll-free phone-in line for fisheries notices is 1-866-431-3474.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Madeline Wanless by emailing [email protected]

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

09/07/2026

The UFAWU founding Convention was in 1945 when fishermen from all gear and all areas of the BC coast united with shoreworkers to create an organization to represent THEIR INTERESTS. 81years later, in spite of all the weight of corporate and government efforts to crush fish harvesters, shoreworkers and tendermen, we are still here. Unifying under one banner is still the best way to fight to make things better.

09/02/2026

A study on the well-being of fish harvesters and other maritime seafarers by Memorial University in Newfoundland.
They are looking for participants from both coasts. If you have a moment....

Research on work experiences, support systems, and quality of life in Canada's maritime industry. Choose a survey or book an interview. English / Français.

08/31/2026

Update #3 on Pink and Chum on Haida Gwaii by DFO:

Hi Folks,

Haida Gwaii Pink salmon update #3:

We have had some significant amounts of rainfall the last few days, so creek levels have improved and most of the Pinks holding in marine areas are now escaping to creeks with survivable flows. Escapements in most areas appear to be approaching target but no harvestable surpluses have occurred in the areas covered.

Area 1

Yakoun River – There are now very few Pink Salmon remaining in Yakoun Bay and the near marine has no obvious signs of more fish moving into the area. Yakoun River escapement to date is thought to be less than 500K and all signs indicate that we are looking at the end of the run. However, assessments of the marine will continue in case there is a late run (Similar to SEAK) but that seems highly unlikely at this point. Haida Fisheries will complete stream inspections of other systems in Masset Inlet including the Mamin and Datlamen in Juskatla Inlet (Pink systems) as well as the Awun and Ain (Chum systems) that drain to eastern Masset Inlet.

Area 2E

Darwin Sound

Pink Salmon assessments in the Darwin, Selwyn and Cumshewa areas to date were focused on identifying possible harvestable surpluses of Pink Salmon holding in the marine areas. Unfortunately, no harvestable surpluses were identified but Charter Patrol coverage will continue in mid-September to assess marine abundance of Chum salmon. Stream inspections will also continue to obtain preliminary Chum escapements and final Pink escapement estimates. Given that recent decade were met with very low abundance of Chum Salmon in Area 2E, harvestable surpluses are thought to be unlikely.

Area 2W

With no Charter Patrol operator in area 2W this year assessments will only be done on an opportunistic basis. Haida Fisheries Program is conducting stream inspections in Rennell Sound but the focus is on escapement estimates. The Area 2E Charter Patrol operator is also going to assess West Skidegate this weekend and may also assess Inskip if weather permits. The area 2E charter operator may also be able to assess Chum escapements in Tasu Creek by hiking through to 2W from Sewell.

Thanks,
Patrick Fairweather
Resource Manager, Haida Gwaii
Email: [email protected]