Fishery Notice

Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Shrimp Trawl
Subject:
FN0564-COMMERCIAL - Invertebrates: Shrimp Trawl - South Coast - Fishery Opens within SMA 124OFF and 125OFF Effective July 2, 2025.


DFO Science biomass surveys were conducted within SMAs 124OFF and 125OFF in April/May of 2025. Survey results indicated a mean pink shrimp biomass estimate of 1848.2 t within SMA 124OFF, and a mean pink shrimp biomass estimate of 3334.2 t within SMA 125OFF. The DFO Science survey in 2025 was unable to complete the biomass survey work within SMAs 23IN & 21OFF+23OFF. The initial catch ceilings listed within the 2025/26 IFMP for SMA 23IN & 21OFF+23OFF will remain unchanged and will remain in effect for the 2025/26 season.

SMA 124OFF and 125OFF will open effective 00:01 hours on July 2, 2025. The 2025/26 season pink shrimp commercial catch ceiling for SMA 124OFF is set at 646.9 t (1,426,089 lb). The 2025/26 season pink shrimp commercial catch ceiling for SMA 125OFF is set at 1,167 t (2,572,702 lb).

Shrimp Trawl fishery continues in some South Coast Shrimp Management Areas (SMA) July 2, 2025 with no retention of prawns. A request to fish with observer coverage is required for Shrimp Management Area 27OFF - contact a Fishery Manager and make arrangements for observer coverage. Required observer coverage for SMA 23IN and 23OFF&21OFF is 25% of fishing effort, and 100% observer coverage requirement for SMA 124OFF and 125OFF. Observer may be required in other areas. Call early to make arrangements to pick up observers. 

Fishery continues in the following areas for all species of shrimp, excluding prawns, by shrimp beam trawl and otter trawl gear effective 00:01 hours July 2, 2025:

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 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.
Subareas 23-1 to 23-11 except for 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 permanent closures.
Subareas 25-1 to 25-15, except permanent closures.
Subareas 26-1 to 26-9, except permanent closures.
Subareas 27-1 to 27-4, 27-7 to 27-11, except permanent closures.
Offshore Areas 121, 123, 124, 125, and 127 except permanent closures.

Variation Order # 2025-255 is in effect.  

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 future openings, the licence holder must make arrangements with the service provider for fishery in-season monitoring services. Vessels must have their "S" or "FS" licence renewed for 2025/26. 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, 2025 (all landings reported) have been met.

To make arrangements for hails, fishery monitoring, at-sea observer services and to provide landings and obtain a landing hail number call the DFO approved Service Provider, Archipelago Marine Research, at 1-866-377-1200 (08:30 to 16:30 hours, Monday to Friday only).

Fishery management measures for bycatch avoidance are defined in the Integrated Fishery Management Plan (IFMP). See the 2025/26 IFMP for details on specific fishery areas. 

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

Requirements for observers will be defined by the service provider at the time of obtaining a fishing hail number. 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 1-866-377-1200 (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 1-866-377-1400, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

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. 

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 2025/26 Shrimp Trawl Integrated Fishery Management Plan for further details and management changes for this season.

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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Elysha Gordon - elysha.gordon@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0564
Sent June 24, 2025 at 1541