Fishery Notice

Area A:

Portions of Crab Area "A" will open to the harvesting of Dungeness and Red Rock crab as of 08:00 hours June 26, 2025.  

Variation Order 2025-248 is in effect.

Areas open include soft-shell management areas 1 to 9, 11, 13 to 16. Crab Area A soft-shell management areas are unique to Area A crab fishing, specified in the 2024/25 Crab Integrated Fisheries Management Plan, and should not be confused with Pacific Fishery Management Areas (PFMAs) and Sub-areas. PFMAs open to Area A Crab fishing include all or portions of Areas 1, 2, 101 to 110 inclusive, 130 and 142 except the following areas: 

Soft-shell Management Area 10: McIntyre Bay (Seasonal Closure)

Those portions of Subareas 1-5 and 101-4 to 101-10 that lie east of the meridian passing through 132°04' west longitude, and west of the meridian passing through 131°30' west longitude, except for that portion of Subarea 101-10 that lies southeasterly of a line that begins at 54°09' N 131°40' W[Rose Spit] then to 54°12' N 131°38' W then to 54°14.9' N 131°30.7' W. 

Soft-shell Management Area 12: Naden Harbour (PFMA 1-4) (Seasonal Closure)

Those waters of Naden Harbour and adjacent waters lying southerly of a line that begins at 54°02.830'N 132°34.166'W [Mary Point] then to 54°03.010'N 132°32.731'W [Deepwater Point] 

Area 1: 

Gaw Káahlii (Masset Inlet) Marine Refuge
Mammin River:
That portion of subarea 1-6 that lies inside a line commencing at a point in water at 53° 37.804' N, 132° 18.775' W then easterly to a point in water at 53° 37.873' N, 132° 18.071' W then southerly to a point on land at 53° 37.848' N, 132° 18.067' W then southerly following the shoreline to 53° 36.881' N, 132° 19.331' W then northerly to a point in water at 53° 37.323' N, 132° 19.221' W,then north easterly to the beginning point.

Dawson Island:
That portion of subarea 1-6 that lies inside a line commencing at 53° 43.462' N, 132° 21.075' W then south easterly to a point in water at 53°42.965' N, 132° 20.001' W then south westerly to a point in water at 53° 42.844' N, 132° 20.274' W then westerly to a point in water at 53° 42.819' N, 132° 21.257' W then north westerly to a point in water at 53° 43.086' N, 132° 21.732' W then north easterly to the beginning point.

Ain 6:
That portion of subarea 1-6 that lies inside a line commencing at 53° 44.573' N, 132° 24.659' W then south easterly to a point in water at 53°44.328' N, 132° 23.916' W then southerly to a Kwaikans Island at 53° 43.294' N, 132° 24.927' W then south westerly to McCreight Island at 53° 42.260' N, 132° 27.365' W then westerly to a point on land at 53° 42.414' N, 132° 28.393' W then following the shoreline to the beginning point.

Juus Káahlii South:
That portion of subarea 1-6 that lies inside a line commencing at 53° 36.742' N, 132° 27.661' W then north easterly to a point on land at  53°37.393' N, 132° 23.520' W then southerly following the shoreline to 53° 34.255' N, 132° 28.526' W then easterly to a point on land at 53° 34.253' N, 132° 28.993' W,then northerly following the shoreline to the beginning point. That portion of subarea 1-6 that lies inside a line commencing at 53° 34.253' N, 132° 28.993' W then easterly to a point on land at  53° 34.255' N, 132° 28.526' W the following the shoreline southerly to the beginning point.

Awun Bay:
That portion of subarea 1-6 that lies inside a line commencing at 53° 40.417' N, 132° 34.226' W then easterly to a point in water at  53° 40.557' N, 132° 31.780' W then southerly to a point in water at 53° 39.431' N, 132° 30.352' W then following the shoreline to a point on land at 53° 40.014' N, 132° 34.154' W, then northerly following to the beginning point.

Area 2:

That portion of Subarea 2-1 covering those waters of Skidegate Inlet and adjacent waters lying westerly of a line that begins at 53°25.854'N 131°54.640'W [Lawn Point] then southerly following the surfline to 53°15.632'N 131°46.232'W [surfline] then true west to 53°15.632'N 131°49.290'W [Spit Point] and easterly of the meridian passing through 132°16.966'W at McLellan Point (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure, Year Round).

Xaana Kaahlii / Skidegate Inlet Marine Refuge
Tllgaduu Gandlaay SGaagiidaay (Slatechuk Creek):
That portion of subarea 2-1 that lies inside a line commencing at 53° 13.649' N, 132° 13.500' W then southerly to a point on land at 53° 13.303' N, 132° 13.595' W then southerly to a point on land 53° 13.056' N, 132° 14.151' W then easterly to a point on land at 53° 13.129' N, 132° 14.603' W then northerly to the beginning point.

Diina (Deena Creek):
That portion of subarea 2-1 that lies inside a line commencing at 53° 09.415' N, 132° 06.870' W then south easterly to a point on land at 53° 09.105' N, 132° 05.650' W then westerly following the shoreline to 53° 09.246' N, 132° 07.064' W then northerly to a point in water at 53° 09.306' N, 132° 07.036' W then northerly to a point in water at 53° 09.381' N, 132° 06.947' W then northerly to the beginning point.

HlGaagilda Llnagaay SGaagiidaay (Skidegate):
That portion of subarea 2-1 that lies inside a line commencing at 53° 17.933' N, 131° 57.984' W then easterly to a point in water at 53° 17.887' N, 131° 57.517' W then southerly to a point in water at 53° 15.335' N, 131° 58.180' W then southerly to a point in water at 53° 14.616' N, 131° 58.830' W then north westerly to a point on land at 53° 14.856' N, 131° 59.749' W then northerly to the beginning point.

That portion of Subarea 2-2 covering those waters inside a line that begins at 53°15.632'N 131°49.290'W [Spit Point] then true east to 53°15.632'N 131°46.232'W [surfline] then southerly following the surfline to 53°06.533'N 131°38.748'W [Gray Point] then northerly following the shoreline to the beginning point (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure, Year Round).

That portion of Subarea 2-3 covering those waters of Cumshewa Inlet and adjacent waters lying westerly of a line that begins at 53°06.533'N 131°38.748'W [Gray Point] then southerly following the surfline to 52°57.832'N 131°32.897'W [surfline] then true west to 52°57.832'N 131°36.199'W [Skedans Point] and easterly of the meridian passing through 131°50.320'W at Conglomerate Point (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure, Year Round).

That portion of Subarea 2-4 covering those waters of Cumshewa Inlet and adjacent waters lying westerly of the meridian passing through 131°50.320'W at Conglomerate Point and easterly of a line that begins at 53°01.476'N 131°57.690'W [near Barge Point] then to 53°00.859'N 131°55.969'W [Louise Island] (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure, Year Round).

That portion of Subarea 2-63 covering those waters of Buck Channel and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 53°09.121'N 132°37.757'W [surfline] then true east to 53°09.121'N 132°35.137'W [Tcenakun Point] then following the southerly shoreline of Chaatl Island to 53°07.576'N 132°24.043'W [Chaatl Island] then true east to 53°07.576'N 132°23.622'W [Demariscove Point] then westerly following the shoreline to 53°05.732'N 132°34.496'W [Buck Point] then northerly following the surfline to the beginning point (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure).

That portion of Subarea 2-64 covering those waters of Skidegate Channel inside a line that begins at 53°10.603'N 132°33.832'W [Ells Point] then southeasterly following the shoreline to 53°09.163'N 132°30.818'W [Mercer Point] then to 53°08.687'N 132°29.959'W [Newton Point] then true south to 53°07.704'N 132°29.959'W [Chaatl Island] then following the northerly shoreline to 53°09.121'N 132°35.137'W [Tcenakun Point] then to the beginning point (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure, Year Round).

That portion of Subarea 2-65 covering those waters of Dawson Inlet and Dawson Harbour lying northerly of a line that begins at 53°09.163'N 132°30.818'W [Mercer Point] then to 53°08.687'N 132°29.959'W [Newton Point] (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure, Year Round).

That portion of Subarea 2-66 covering those waters of Skidegate Channel lying easterly of the meridian passing through 132°29.959'W at Newton Point and westerly of a line that begins at 53°07.576'N 132°24.043'W [Chaatl Island] then true east to 53°07.576'N 132°23.622'W [Demariscove Point] then true north to 53°08.316'N 132°23.622'W [Graham Island] (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure, Year Round).

That portion of Subarea 2-67 covering those waters of Skidegate Channel and adjacent waters lying easterly of the meridian passing through 132°16.966'W at McLellan Point and westerly of the meridian passing through 132°23.622'W at Demariscove Point (First Nations FSC and Recreation Closure, Year Round).

That portion of Subarea 2-77 covering those waters of Shields Bay inside a line that begins at 53°20.424'N 132°26.568'W [Dawson Head] then true north to 53°21.050'N 132°26.569'W [Graham Island] then following the shoreline of Shields Bay to 53°19.419'N 132°27.322'W [Graham Island] then true north to 53°19.476'N 132°27.322'W [Shields Island] then following the westerly shoreline of Shields Island to the beginning point (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure, Year Round). 

Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (Amended from FN0378, April 23, 2019):

Kun Skuujii sda GawGaay.ya (Kwoon Cove to Gowgaia Bay)
Those waters of Subareas 2-38 to 2-41 and 142-1 inside a line commencing at a point on land on T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°23.311'N and 131°35.794'W northwesterly to a point on land on GuuGaalas Gwaay (south Gowdas Islands) at 52°23.340'N and 131°35.859'W, thence northerly following the shoreline of GuuGaalas Gwaay (south Gowdas Islands) to 52°23.489'N and 131°36.092'W, thence southwesterly to a point in water at 52°18.982'N and 131°43.957'W, thence northwesterly to a point in water at 52°38.114'N and 132°10.004'W, thence southeasterly to a point on land on T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°38.177'N and 131°56.374'W, and thence southerly following the western shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) to the beginning point.

SGang Gwaay (Wailing Island)
Those waters of Subareas 2-31 and 142-1 inside a line commencing at a point on the western shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°07.210'N and 131°15.838'W easterly following the shoreline to 52°07.440'N and 131°14.307'W, thence southeasterly to a point on the northern shoreline of K'il (Flatrock Island) at 52°06.468'N and 131°10.300'W, thence easterly following the shoreline to 52°06.388'N and 131°10.079'W, thence southeasterly to the westernmost point of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) at 52°06.018'N and 131°09.391'W, thence southerly following the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) to 52°05.884'N and 131°09.283'W, thence southeasterly to 52°05.806'N and 131°09.208'W, thence easterly following the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) to 52°05.787'N and 131°09.097'W, thence northeasterly to the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) at 52°05.788'N and 131°08.938'W, thence easterly following the shoreline and thence crossing the channel to 52°05.778'N and 131°08.861'W, thence southeasterly following the shoreline to 52°05.741'N and 131°08.788'W, thence following the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) to 52°05.708'N and 131°08.697'W, thence easterly across the channel to 52°05.709'N and 131°08.673'W, thence southerly following the shoreline of Sii.niihl Gwaay.yaay (Gordon Islands) to 52°05.468'N and 131°08.425'W, thence southeasterly to a point on the western shoreline of Gangxid Gwaay.yaay (Kunghit Island) at 52°04.414'N and 131°07.720'W, thence northerly and southerly following the shoreline of Gangxid Gwaay.yaay (Kunghit Island) to 52°04.366'N and 131°07.720'W, thence southwesterly to a point in water at 52°03.175'N and 131°14.399'W, thence northwesterly to a point in water at 52°05.826'N and 131°17.913'W, and thence northeasterly back to the beginning point.

Gangxid Tllgaay (South Kunghit Island)
Those waters of Subareas 2-19, 102-3, 130-3 and 142-1 inside a line commencing at a point on the western shoreline of Gangxid Tllgaay (South Kunghit Island) at 51°57.689'N and 131°03.375'W easterly following the southern shoreline of Gangxid Tllgaay (South Kunghit Island) to 52°00.343'N and 130°59.788'W, thence southeasterly to a point in water at 51°50.159'N and 130°53.207'W, thence southwesterly to a point in water at 51°47.954'N and 130°53.613'W, thence northwesterly to a point in water at 51°54.927'N and 131°07.801'W, and thence northeasterly to the beginning point.

Gangxid Xyuu Kun sda Kan 'Láas Kun (Lyman Point to Receiver Point)
Those waters of Subareas 102-2 and 102-3 inside a line commencing at a point on land of Kildaga T'awts'iiGaay (islet) at 52°04.541'N and 130°56.293'W following the shoreline of the islet to 52°04.598'N and 130°56.368'W, thence northwesterly to the eastern shoreline of Gangxid Gwaay.yaay (Kunghit Island) at 52°04.652'N and 130°56.414'W, thence northerly following the eastern shoreline of Gangxid Gwaay.yaay (Kunghit Island) to 52°05.734'N and 130°56.365'W, thence northeasterly to a point in water at 52°10.225'N and 130°49.512'W, thence southwesterly to a point in water at 52°02.632'N and 130°50.910'W, thence northwesterly back to the beginning point. 

Kayjuu Kun (Benjamin Point)
Those waters of Subareas 2-17, 2-18 and 102-2 inside a line commencing at a point on the eastern shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°10.262'N and 131°01.993'W northerly following the eastern shoreline to 52°13.232'N and 131°00.777'W, thence northeasterly to a point in water at 52°17.724'N and 130°55.078'W, thence southeasterly to a point in water at 52°12.476'N and 130°49.103'W, and thence southwesterly back to the beginning point. 

St'aa K'ii GawGa (Flamingo Inlet) - Head 
Those waters of Subarea 2-37 north of a line drawn from a point on T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°14.455'N and 131°22.232'W southeasterly across St'aa K'ii GawGa (Flamingo Inlet) to a point on land on the opposite shore at 52°14.228'N and 131°21.503'W.

GawGajaang (Louscoone Inlet) - Head
Those waters of Subarea 2-34 north of a line drawn from a point on land on T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°11.841'N and 131°15.670'W northeasterly across the inlet to a point on the opposite shoreline of GawGajaang (Louscoone Inlet) at 52°12.245'N and 131°14.568'W. 

K'insiGid (Rose Inlet) - Head
Those waters of Subarea 2-18 north of a line drawn from the western shoreline of K'insiGid (Rose Inlet) on T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°11.327'N and 131°08.370'W northeasterly across the inlet to a point on the opposite shore at 52°11.328'N and 131°07.115'W.

GawGan (Huston Inlet) - Head
Those waters of Subarea 2-15 south of a line drawn from a point on the western shoreline of GawGan (Huston Inlet) at 52°15.732'N and 131°15.643'W northeasterly across the inlet to a point on the opposite shore at 52°16.111'N and 131°14.231'W. 

Suu Kaahlii sda SGwaay Kun Gwaay.yaay (Skincuttle Inlet to Burnaby Island)
Those waters of Subareas 2-13 to 2-16 and 102-2 inside a line commencing at a point on the eastern shoreline of SGwaay Kun Gwaay.yaay (Burnaby Island) at 52°26.521'N and 131°14.153'W southeasterly to a point in water at 52°25.980'N and 131°04.477'W, thence southeasterly to a point in water at 52°22.825'N and 131°00.885'W, thence southwesterly to a point on the eastern shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°18.124'N and 131°18.347'W, thence northerly following the eastern shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) to 52°23.055'N and 131°23.441'W, thence northeasterly to the western shoreline of Gwaay GudgiiGaagid (Kat Island) at 52°23.082'N and 131°22.916'W, thence easterly following the southern shoreline of Gwaay GudgiiGaagid (Kat Island) to 52°23.147'N and 131°22.260'W, thence northeasterly to the western shoreline of SGwaay Kun Gwaay.yaay (Burnaby Island) at 52°23.276'N and 131°21.333'W, thence southerly following the western shoreline of SGwaay Kun Gwaay.yaay (Burnaby Island) to 52°20.949'N and 131°15.569'W, thence northeasterly to the easternmost point of SGwaay Kun Gwaay.yaay (Burnaby Island) at 52°22.315'N and 131°14.689'W, thence following the western shoreline of SGwaay Kun Gwaay.yaay (Burnaby Island) to 52°22.377'N and 131°14.683'W, thence northwesterly to a point on the eastern shoreline of SGwaay Kun Gwaay.yaay (Burnaby Island) at 52°24.494'N and 131°15.832'W, and thence following the eastern shoreline to the beginning point.

Gid Gwaa GyaaGa GawGa (Poole Inlet)
Those waters of Subarea 2-14 south of a line drawn from a point on the shoreline of SGwaay Kun Gwaay.yaay (Burnaby Island) in Gid Gwaa GyaaGa GawGa (Poole Inlet) at 52°22.764'N and 131°18.249'W southeasterly across the inlet to a point on the opposite shore at 52°22.505'N and 131°17.665'W.

Kuuniisii Xaw GawGa sda Gaaduu Gwaay (Matheson Inlet to Huxley Island)
Those waters of Subareas 2-12 and 2-13 inside a line commencing on the eastern shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°30.038'N and 131°28.071'W southeasterly to a point on land on Gwaay Guusdagang (All Alone Stone Island) at 52°29.081'N and 131°24.042'W, thence southeasterly to a point on the northern shoreline of Gaaduu Gwaay (Huxley Island) at 52°28.066'N and 131°21.772'W, thence southerly following the western shoreline of Gaaduu Gwaay (Huxley Island) to 52°25.934'N and 131°21.927'W, thence southwesterly to the northern shoreline of GaysiiGas K'iidsii Gwaay (Section Island) at 52°25.435'N and 131°22.425'W, thence westerly following the northern shoreline of GaysiiGas K'iidsii Gwaay (Section Island) to 52°25.460'N and 131°22.513'W, thence northwesterly to a point on the eastern shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°26.039'N and 131°25.343'W, thence northerly following the eastern shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) to 52°28.460'N and 131°27.972'W, and thence northerly to the beginning point.

Gandaawuu.ngaay Xyangs sda Tllga Kun Gwaay.yaay (Juan Perez Sound to Lyell Island)
Those waters of Subareas 2-11 and 102-2 inside a line commencing on the eastern shoreline of Tllga Kun Gwaay.yaay (Lyell Island) at 52°42.074'N and 131°26.535'W southeasterly to a point in water at 52°41.073'N and 131°14.523'W, thence southeasterly to a point in water at 52°38.666'N and 131°12.987'W, thence southwesterly to 52°35.106'N and 131°22.254'W, thence following the northern shoreline of Xiina Gwaay.yaay (Ramsay Island) to 52°34.964'N and 131°22.963'W, thence southwesterly across to 52°34.116'N and 131°25.603'W, thence southwesterly across to 52°33.844'N and 131°26.324'W, thence southwesterly to a point on Gandaawuu.ngaay Gwaay.yaay (Marco Island) at 52°31.498'N and 131°30.354'W, thence northwesterly to a point on Gandaawuu.ngaay Gwaayts'idaay (Hoskins Islets) at 52°32.405'N and 131°32.946'W, thence following the northern shoreline of Gandaawuu.ngaay Gwaayts'idaay (Hoskins Islets) to 52°32.435'N and 131°33.055'W, thence southwesterly to a point on the eastern shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°32.211'N and 131°34.475'W, thence easterly following the eastern shoreline to 52°32.956'N and 131°37.729'W, thence northeasterly to a point on the shoreline of Kingts'ii Gwaay.yaay (Bischof Islands) at 52°34.143'N and 131°33.379'W, thence easterly following the southeastern shoreline of Kingts'ii Gwaay.yaay (Bischof Islands) to 52°34.340'N and 131°33.098'W, thence northeasterly to a point on an islet at 52°34.530'N and 131°32.890'W, thence northeasterly to a point on the southern shoreline of Tllga Kun Gwaay.yaay (Lyell Island) at 52°35.767'N and 131°32.891'W, and thence easterly and northerly following the shoreline of Tllga Kun Gwaay.yaay (Lyell Island) to the beginning point.

Didxwahxyangs (Darwin Sound)
Those waters of Subarea 2-10 inside a line commencing at a point on land on Shuttle Island at 52°40.053'N and 131°42.328'W northeasterly to a point on the western shoreline of Tllga Kun Gwaay.yaay (Lyell Island) at 52°40.466'N and 131°41.105'W, thence southerly following the western shoreline of Tllga Kun Gwaay.yaay (Lyell Island) to 52°37.301'N and 131°38.800'W, thence northwesterly to a point on land of Gwaay DaaGaaw (Shuttle Island) at 52°38.522'N and 131°41.409'W, and thence following the eastern shoreline of Shuttle Island to the beginning point.

T'aanuu K'aadxwah Xyangs sda Gwaay Xaa'ans (Klue Passage to Lost Islands)
Those waters of Subareas of 2-7 and 2-8 inside a line commencing on a point of the eastern shoreline of T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°48.570'N and 131°39.433'W northeasterly to a point in water at 52°49.383'N and 131°29.039'W, thence southeasterly to a point in water at 52°48.148'N and 131°28.849'W, thence southwesterly to a point in water at 52°44.898'N and 131°34.035'W, thence northwesterly to 52°45.113'N and 131°34.125'W, thence following the northern shoreline of K'ang.Guu Gwaay.yaay (Kunga Island) to 52°45.220'N and 131°35.574'W, thence southwesterly to a point on T'aanuu Gwaay (Tanu Island) at 52°45.002'N and 131°36.770'W, thence northerly following the eastern shoreline of T'aanuu Gwaay (Tanu Island) to 52°46.725'N and 131°38.878'W, thence northwesterly across to a point on T'aaxwii XaaydaGa Gwaay.yaay iinaGwaay (Moresby Island) at 52°47.837'N and 131°39.371'W, and thence northerly following the eastern shoreline to the beginning point.

Area 105
West Banks Island:
Those waters of Area 105 and Subareas 5-20 and 5-22 that lie inside a line that begins at 53°27.900'N, 130°39.800'W then easterly to a point on Bonilla Island at 53°27.985'N, 130°35.246'W then southerly to a point in water at 53°23.700'N, 130°22.700'W then southerly to a point in water at 53°18.700'N, 130°21.500'W then northerly to a point in water at 53°24.300'N, 130°38.000'W then to the beginning point. (Banks Marine Refuge) 

Subarea 105-2
North Danger Rocks:
Those waters of Subarea 105-2 that lie inside a line that begins at a point in water at 53°15.900'N, 130°22.200'W then easterly to a point in water at 53°16.100'N, 130°16.700'W then southerly to a point in water at 53°10.000'N , 130°06.200'W then west to a point in water at 53°10.000'N, 130°19.110'W then northerly to a point in water at 53°11.881'N, 130°19.785'W then westerly to a point in water at 53°12.373'N , 130°21.662'W then to the beginning point. (Banks Marine Refuge)  

Subarea 106-1
Otter Passage:
Those waters of Subareas 6-9 and 106-1 that lie inside a line that begins at 53°09.835'N, 129°47.579'W then southerly to a point in water at 53°05.100'N, 129°46.600'W then westerly to a point in water at 53°05.000'N, 129°50.100'W then northerly to a point in water at 53°08.600'N, 130°08.900'W then northerly to a point in water at 53°10.000'N, 130°08.900'W then east to Terror point at 53°10.000'N, 129°57.127'W then following the southerly shoreline of Banks Island to the beginning point. (Banks Marine Refuge)

Bowie Seamount: 
Portions of Subarea 101-1 and 142-2 
Area bounded by a series of rhumb lines drawn from a point 53°03?07.6? N, 135°50?25.9? W, to a point 53°16?20.9? N, 134°59?55.4? W, then to a point 53°39?49.2? N, 135°17?04.9? W, then to a point 53°39?18.0? N, 135°53?46.5? W, then to a point 53°52?16.7? N, 136°30?23.1? W, then to a point 53°49?19.6? N, 136°47?33.1? W, then to a point 53°40?02.5? N, 136°57?03.5? W, then to a point 53°13?59.2? N, 136°10?00.0? W, then back to the point of commencement as laid out in the Bowie Seamount Marine Protected Area Regulations. (Marine Protected Area)

Hecate Strait Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reef Areas:
Portions of Subarea 105-2, 106-1, 106-2, 107-1, 107-2, 110-0 and 111-0

The MPA's regulations establish the outer boundaries of the three MPA areas, consisting of the seabed, the subsoil to a depth of 20 meters and the water column above the seabed, that are bounded by a series of rhumb lines as follows:

The Northern Reef Area is described as bounded by a series of rhumb lines drawn from a point 53º11'52.9" North latitude and 130º19'47.2" West longitude, to a point having coordinate values of 53º09'22.0" North latitude and 130º18'53.0" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º02'54.5" North latitude and 130º25'16.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º03'06.9" North latitude and 130º30'35.6" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º07'17.8" North latitude and 130º42'03.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º07'44.5" North latitude and 130º46'26.5" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º13'28.7" North latitude and 130º47'28.7" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º19'20.0" North latitude and 130º54'24.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º24'05.4" North latitude and 130º48'37.8" West longitude then to a point having coordinate values of 53º23'40.7" North latitude and 130º42'52.2" West longitude then to a point having coordinate values of 53º18'42.5" North latitude and 130º38'09.3" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º15'20.6" North latitude and 130º33'01.3" West longitude, then back to the point of Commencement.

The Northern Reef Area Core Protection Zone (CPZ) is described as bounded by a series of rhumb lines drawn from a point having coordinate values of 53º18'40.4" North latitude and 130º52'46.5" West longitude, to a point having coordinate values of 53º22'12.1" North latitude and 130º47'01.7" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º22'20.2" North latitude and 130º43'12.5" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º17'22.8" North latitude and 130º38'18.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º15'01.7" North latitude and 130º36'35.5" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º10'55.2" North latitude and 130º20'19.3" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º04'30.2" North latitude and 130º25'53.6" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º04'58.0" North latitude and 130º32'16.9" West longitude then to a point having coordinate values of 53º07'22.2" North latitude and 130º37'37.6" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º08'36.6" North latitude and 130º39'29.5" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º08'41.8" North latitude and 130º45'40.0" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 53º13'51.2" North latitude and 130º46'41.2" West longitude, then back to the point of Commencement.

The Central Reefs Area is described as bounded by a series of rhumb lines drawn from a point 52º00'24.4" North latitude and 129º14'12.6" West longitude, to a point having coordinate values of 51º55'50.5" North latitude and 129º18'13.8" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º51'32.5" North latitude and 129º36'37.4" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º53'00.7" North latitude and 129º44'03.4" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º05'14.1" North latitude and 129º36'14.1" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º08'46.0" North latitude and 129º33'33.5" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º15'42.6" North latitude and 129º44'12.3" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º29'35.4" North latitude and 129º52'32.7" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º32'05.4" North latitude and 129º53'06.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º34'05.6" North latitude and 129º47'51.4" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º25'42.7" North latitude and 129º35'12.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º20'02.8" North latitude and 129º29'51.7" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º09'52.3" North latitude and 129º25'29.5" West longitude, then back to the point of Commencement.

The Central Reefs Area Core Protection Zone (CPZ) Zone 'A' is described as bounded by a series of rhumb lines drawn from a point having coordinate values of 52º14'03.4" North latitude and 129º38'33.2" West longitude, to a point having coordinate values of 52º16'54.8" North latitude and 129º43'13.4" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º21'57.1" North latitude and 129º43'56.5" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º24'24.5" North latitude and 129º47'22.8" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º29'05.9" North latitude and 129º50'59.4" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º31'05.2" North latitude and 129º50'13.9" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º31'06.7" North latitude and 129º47'40.9" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º27'42.0" North latitude and 129º40'25.1" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º25'22.9" North latitude and 129º37'24.0" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º19'47.0" North latitude and 129º32'43.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º16'18.2" North latitude and 129º33'22.8" West longitude, then back to the point of Commencement.

The Central Reefs Area Core Protection Zone (CPZ) Zone 'B' is described as bounded by a series of rhumb lines drawn from a point having coordinate values of 51º54'43.1" North latitude and 129º41'22.2" West longitude, to a point having coordinate values of 52º01'22.5" North latitude and 129º35'48.4" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º05'13.5" North latitude and 129º34'32.5" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º08'48.5" North latitude and 129º31'44.1" West longitude then to a point having coordinate values of 52º08'51.3" North latitude and 129º29'18.0" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 52º04'27.1" North latitude and 129º21'17.3" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º59'40.8" North latitude and 129º15'23.9" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º56'04.5" North latitude and 129º18'46.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º52'55.7" North latitude and 129º36'49.8" West longitude, then back to the point of Commencement.

The Southern Reef Area is described as bounded by a series of rhumb lines drawn from a point 51º24'44.2" North latitude and 128º47'58.3" West longitude, to a point having coordinate values of 51º18'32.5" North latitude and 128º40'35.6" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º14'57.6" North latitude and 128º47'01.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º14'33.9" North latitude and 128º55'45.5" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º17'42.3" North latitude and 129º00'29.0" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º19'24.5" North latitude and 129º00'53.6" West longitude, then back to the point of Commencement.

The Southern Reef Area Core Protection Zone is described as bounded by a series of rhumb lines drawn from a point having coordinate values of 51º17'59.2" North latitude and 128º57'31.9" West longitude, to a point having coordinate values of 51º19'30.8" North latitude and 128º58'22.7" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º23'41.9" North latitude and 128º48'50.9" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º19'17.5" North latitude and 128º42'33.6" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º18'24.5" North latitude and 128º42'37.7" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º15'56.0" North latitude and 128º47'04.2" West longitude, then to a point having coordinate values of 51º15'52.2" North latitude and 128º54'20.4" West longitude, then back to the point of Commencement.

5.  BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

• For several years now, a voluntary ferry lane closure between Prince Rupert and Skidegate has been in effect year-round, (see map in appendix 7.2 of the Crab IFMP). This closure was developed in cooperation with the Area "A" Crab Association, the B.C. Ferries Corporation and the Department. To ensure continued participation success, Ecotrust Canada (the Area A electronic monitoring service provider) also provides immediate software feedback to harvesters deploying traps within this closure and further notifies them with monthly vessel compliance summary updates.

• To avoid gear conflicts with Mid-water Trawl vessels, harvesters fishing in the vicinity of Goose Bank are being requested to limit the depth to which they fish. The current depth limit is approximately 40 fathoms. For a more current update on this agreement please contact the Area A Association representative (see Appendix 8).

• Buoy lines should be appropriate for water depth and tide cycles

• Keep crab buoys brightly painted and in accordance with licence conditions.

• Minimise wake in harbours, particularly at boat launches, marinas and other wharves

• If commercial harvesters are replacing active crab traps with ones that have been inactive for more than 18 days they must transfer the RFID chip from the active trap to the replacement trap. This RFID replacement activity will help minimise violation errors associated with over-soak and trap allocation calculations.

6.  Management Measures - Reminders

It is unlawful to commercially set and or commercially haul crab traps prior to the Area A Crab opening.  Fishing in a closed time or area may result in charges.  

It is unlawful to retain any species that are not permitted on licence conditions.  By-catch must be immediately returned to the water using the least amount of harm.  

Escape Holes 
Vessel masters are reminded that all traps fished must now have two 105 mm escape holes located not more than 100 mm below the top of the frame. 

Soft-Shell Crab
Soft-shell crab may not be retained or possessed in the commercial crab fishery.  This prohibition also applies to crab buyers and processors. "Soft-shell crab" means a crab whose shell is not fully hardened, and yields to heavy finger pressure.  A crab with a durometer measurement of 70 units or less is defined as a soft-shell crab.

Electronic Monitoring
All vessels must have installed an electronic monitoring (EM) system or provide 100% observer coverage.

The service provider for Area A is Ecotrust Canada (250-624-4191) 
This service provider can provide EM coverage, trap tags, enter logbook and hail data, and conduct biological sampling with designated observers.

Service providers may require additional information as part of their agreement with licence eligibility holders to ensure that observers can locate the active vessels for the on-board biological data collection requirement and to ensure proper delivery of the electronic monitoring program.

Trip Hails
The vessel master shall provide oral reports to the service provider as per the 2025 Conditions of Commercial Crab Licence. 

Harvest Logs
The vessel master must maintain a crab harvest log of all harvest operations and provide this information in both hard (paper) copy and electronic copy to the Department. 

Catch information must be recorded in the harvest log by midnight of the day of fishing. The logbook must be kept aboard the licensed vessel.  Logbooks must be produced for examination on demand of a fishery officer, or guardian.

Licence holders are reminded that the completed harvest log pages (original copy) and electronic copies of the harvest log, must be forwarded within 28 days following the end of each month in which fishing occurred to:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Shellfish Data Unit
Pacific Biological Station
3190 Hammond Bay Road
Nanaimo BC  V9T 6N7
Tel: (250) 756-7022 or (250) 756-7306

Fish slips 

Vessel masters are reminded to submit fish slips not later than seven days after landing.  Slips must be mailed to:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Regional Data Unit
Suite 200 - 401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3S4 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Further fishing information and requirements are documented in the 2025/26 Crab Integrated Fisheries Management Plan available upon request to DFO.PACFMCrab-CrabeGPPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Sara Dansereau
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
250-301-3591
sara.dansereau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Chelsey Ellis
Area A Crab Association
250-816-8454
executivedirector@areaacrab.ca

Kathryn Bond
Ecotrust Canada
250-624-4191
kbond@ecotrust.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0561
Sent June 23, 2025 at 1532

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on June 8, 2026 at 1751