Fishery Notice

Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Shrimp Trawl
Subject:
FN0498-COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Shrimp Trawl - Areas 3 to 10 - North Coast - Opening June 6, 2019 With and Without Prawns


The Shrimp trawl fishery continues in the North Coast 19:00 hours June 6, 2019 
for all species of shrimp including a possession limit of 100 legal size prawns 
in the following areas:

Area 3 except for the Dunira RCA Closure;
Subareas 4-1 to 4-9 and 4-13 to 4-15 except for the Stephens island, Porcher 
Peninsula, Hodgson Reef, and Gull Rocks RCA Closures;
Subarea 5-2 to 5-22 and 5-24 except for the Porcher Peninsula, Goschen, West 
Banks Island, North Danger Rocks RCA Closures and Glass Sponge Reef Closures;
Subareas 6-2, 6-3, 6-5 to 6-18 and 6-25 except for the Kitasu Bay, Otter 
Passage, West Aristazabal Island RCA Closures and Glass Sponge Reef Closures; 
Subareas 7-2 to 7-24, 7-27 to 7-30 and 7-32 except for the McMullin Group and 
Goose Island RCA Closures;
Subareas 8-2 to 8-11 and 8-14 to 8 -16;
Subareas 9-1 and 9-10 to 9-12 except for the Fish Egg Inlet RCA Closure;
Subareas 10-3 to 10-6, 10-11 and 10-12 except for the Smith Sound RCA Closure.

The following areas Continue at 19:00 hours June 6, 2019 for all species of 
shrimp excluding prawns by shrimp trawl gear:

Subarea 4-12
Subarea 5-1, 5-23;
Subareas 6-1, 6-4, 6-19 to 24;
Subareas 8-12 and 8-13;
Subareas 9-2 to 9-9;
Subareas 10-7 to 10-10

Variation orders 2019-316 and 2019-371 will be in effect. 
Variation orders 2019-306 and 2019-307 will be revoked


Notes:

The Soft Shell Crab Closure is in effect. Crab Management Area A, Areas 1, 2, 
101 to 110, 130 and 142 are closed pending softshell testing (Fishery Notice 
FN0345). 
 
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 2IN (Pacific Fishery Management Area 2 except  2-3 2-
4,2-13, 2-16,2-31 to 2-37 and 2-41 AND except for the marine strict protection 
zones identified in the Gwaii Haanas Gina 'Waadluxan Kilguhlga Land-Sea-People 
Management Plan Final Zoning (Fishery Notice FN0378) 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 North 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.

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. 

Refer to 2019/20 Shrimp Trawl Integrated Fishery Management Plan for further 
details. A copy of the 2019/20 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 - FN0498
Sent June 3, 2019 at 1530