Fishery Notice

Shrimp Trawl fishery opens in South Coast areas 00:01 hours June 1, 2019. Some 
Subareas are closed to the retention of prawns. A request to fish with observer 
coverage has been received for Areas 27 and 127; any other fish harvesters 
wanting to fish in those two areas must make a request to the South Coast 
Fishery Manager and make arrangements for observer coverage.

The following areas open at 00:01 hours June 1, 2019 for all species of shrimp 
including possession limit of 100 prawns by shrimp beam trawl and otter trawl 
gear:

Subareas 11-3 to 11-10.
Subareas 12-1 to 12-21, 12-23 to 12-35, 12-38, 12-39, 12-41, 12-42, except 
permanent closures.
Subareas 20-1 and 20-3 to 20-5, 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 25-5, 25-7 to 25-15, except permanent closures.
Subareas 26-1 to 26-9, except permanent closures.
Subareas 27-1 to 27-4, 27-8 to 27-11, except permanent closures.
Offshore Area 127 except permanent closures.

The following areas open as of 00:01 hours June 1, 2019 for all species of 
shrimp excluding prawns by shrimp trawl gear:

Subareas 12-37, 12-40, 12-43 to 12-47, 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.
Subarea 25-6.

Variation orders 2019 - 311 and 2019 - 312 will be in effect.


Notes:

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 
2019/20. 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 March 31, 2019 have been met.

To confirm logbook approval status 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 
(08:30 to 16:30 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 (08:30 to 16:30 hours, Monday to Friday only). 
Earlier arrangements to pick up at-sea observers before leaving port may be 
necessary.

When West Coast Vancouver Island areas 124OFF and 125OFF are open, an at-sea 
observer must be monitoring all fishing activity. All shrimp caught and 
retained in Areas 124 and 125 shall be landed and validated before hailing out 
and fishing in other areas. 

Requirements for observers for other areas will be defined by the service 
provider at the time of obtaining a fishing hail number.

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.

When fishing an area open to prawns by trawl gear, the possession limit is 100 
prawns of legal size (33 mm carapace length). All other prawns shall be 
released immediately and unharmed to the waters from which they were caught in 
a manner that best affords their survival. Female prawns with eggs must be 
released.

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. 

New 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.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/ceccsr-cerceef/closures-fermetures-eng.html.

**New** Any interaction with marine mammals such as entanglement or collision 
between a vessel an a marine mammal shall be reported immediately to DFO by 
telephone at 1-800-465-4336 and the vessel master shall complete the DFO Marine 
Mammal Interaction Form and submit it as per instructions provided on the form.

Refer to 2019/20 Shrimp Trawl Integrated Fishery Management Plan for further 
details. A copy of the IFMP may be obtained by emailing Dan Clark at 
dan.clark@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

For further information contact:
Shrimp Trawl Manager: Dan Clark 250-756-7327
North/Central Coast: Coral Keehn 250-627-3021
Fraser River: Marisa Keefe 604-666-6390

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0491
Sent May 31, 2019 at 1527

Return to Main Menu

Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on July 25, 2026 at 2229