Fishery Notice

Shrimp trawl fishery continues in South Coast areas and in Shrimp Management 
Areas 27IN and 27OFF on request as of 00:01 hours September 20, 2017 for all 
species of shrimp with no retention of prawns by shrimp beam trawl and otter 
trawl gear.

Shrimp harvesters requesting the opportunity to fish in SMA 27IN or 27OFF must 
contact Dan Clark 250-756-7327 dan.clark@dfo-mpo.gc.ca to make arrangements for 
observer coverage.

The following areas are open:

Subareas 11-3 to 11-10;
Subareas 12-1 to 12-21, 12-23 to 12-35, 12-37 to 12-47, except permanent 
closures;
Subareas 14-1 to 14-7, 14-9, 14-10, 14-12, and 14-13, except permanent closures;
Subareas 17-1 to 17-6, 17-8 to 17-13, 17-15, 17-16 and 17-18 to 17-21 except 
permanent closures;
Subareas 20-1 and 20-3 to 20-5, except permanent closures;
Area 21 except permanent closures;
Area 23 except the Pacific Rim National Park (Broken Group Islands) Closure 
Area and except permanent closures;
Area 24 except for the Pacific Rim National Park (Grice Bay, McBey Inlets) 
closures and except for permanent closures;
Subareas 25-1 to 25-15;
Subareas 26-1 to 26-9, except permanent closures;
Area 27, except permanent closures; and
Offshore areas 121 and 123 except permanent closures.

Variation order 2017-360 is in effect.
 

Low shrimp biomass was found in SMAs 124OFF, 125OFF, 16, GSTE, and FR and these 
areas will not open to fishing for 2017/18.

Notes:
This notice applies to the Shrimp Trawl fishery in Areas 11 to 29 and offshore 
Areas 121, and 123 to 127 inclusive.

Refer to the North Coast fishery notices for Areas 1 to 10, Subareas 11-1, 11-2 
and Offshore Areas 101 to 111, 130, and 142.

In order to participate in these openings, a letter from the service provider 
is required indicating that arrangements for fishery in-season monitoring 
services has been made.  Vessels must have their "S" licence renewed for 
2017/18. Fish harvesters/Licence Holders/vessel owners will use the online 
system (https://fishing-peche.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/) to view, pay for and print their 
commercial fishing licences, licence conditions and/or receipts. 

Prior to annual application for either a category S or FS Shrimp by Trawl 
licence, please ensure:
a) Any Ministerial conditions placed on the licence eligibility are met.
b) Any conditions of the previous year's licence such as submission and 
approval of Shrimp Trawl Harvest Logbooks to April 30 and Hail Reports to May 
31 (all landings reported) have been met.

To confirm logbook approval status please contact the Shellfish Data Unit at 
250-756-7022 or 250-756-7306.

To make arrangements for hails, fishery monitoring and at-sea observer services 
call the DFO approved Shrimp Trawl fishery service provider at 1-866-377-1400 
(08:00 to 17:00 hours, Monday to Friday only).

The use of a by-catch reduction rigid grate with maximum spacing 31.75 mm (1.25 
inches) between bars is required by all vessels. When fishing in offshore 
areas, the Shrimp Industry Caucus recommends a maximum spacing of 1 inch.

The mandatory by-catch reduction large mesh will be continued for all Otter 
trawl nets to reduce eulachon and other by-catch: the top (hood or upper belly) 
of an otter trawl net shall be comprised of a minimum 4.4 square meter (48 
square foot) panel of plastic lattice with minimum 4 cm square openings, such 
as is found in snow fencing, or large mesh netting hung on the square.

Shrimp Management Areas 27IN and 27OFF (Pacific Fishery Management Areas 27 and 
127) open upon request from a vessel master subject to the vessel master 
securing arrangements for a certified shrimp fishery observer for the first 
fishing trip to these areas. Contact the South Coast Fisheries Manager to 
request an opening.

Fish slips (sale slips) are required for all fish and shellfish caught and must 
be submitted within seven days of offloading.

Prior to commencing fishing and at least 24 hours prior to leaving port, the 
vessel master shall obtain a Fishing Hail Number by contacting the service 
provider at 1-866-377-1400 (08:00 to 17:00 hours, Monday to Friday only). 
Earlier arrangements to pick up at-sea observers before leaving port may be 
necessary.

Hails can be made into one Shrimp Management Area only. Other required reports 
(such as to obtain a landing hail number prior to landing) can be made to 1-866-
377-1200, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

All prawns shall be released immediately and unharmed to the waters from which 
they were caught in a manner that best affords their survival.

Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) Closures to fishing with shrimp trawl nets are 
in place coast-wide. Fish harvesters are advised to familiarize themselves with 
these closures, contact the local DFO office or the DFO web site for more 
information. 

Sponge Reef closures in Areas 14, 17, 18, 28 and 29 are now in effect. 
Coordinates and maps for these closures are available at: 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/protection/sponge_reef-recif_eponge-
eng.html .

Refer to 2017/18 Shrimp Trawl Integrated Fishery Management Plan for further 
details and management changes for this season or for further information 
contact:
Shrimp Trawl Manager: Dan Clark 250-756-7327
North/Central Coast: Coral Keehn 250-627-3021
Conservation and Protection: Dale Hunt 250-339-5073
Fraser River: Anna Magera 604-916-6743

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0971
Sent September 19, 2017 at 1021

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 2, 2024 at 0610