Fishery Notice

This Fisheries Notices is to amend the Area B Seasonal Opening times posted in FN0983. The following areas are open for the Crab by Trap fishery for Dungeness and Red Rock crab in Crab Management Area "B" , effective 08:00 hours October 1, 2025 until 23:59 December 18, 2025, with the exception of Takush Harbour which opens at 12:00 hours October 1, 2025 until 23:59 December 18, 2025. These additional portions will have a half trap limit and daily haul restriction in place. Variation order 2025-414 is in effect. 

This variation order opens the seasonal areas in addition to all other areas previously opened under Variation Order 2025-210. 

1.	Stewart:  That portion of 3-15 lying southerly of the parallel passing through 55°37.617'N [Green Islets] and easterly of the international boundary between Canada and the United States. 

2.	Big Bay:  That portion of Subarea 4-8 east of a line that begins at 54°28.461'N 130°25.712'W [Shattock Point] then to 54°27.342'N 130°27.049'W [Simpson Point]. 

3.	Prince Rupert:  That portion of Subarea 4-9 inside a line that begins at 54°21.803'N 130°29.243'W [Ryan Point] then to 54°20.355'N 130°30.519'W [Chapman Point] then following the easterly shoreline of Tugwell Island to 54°19.921'N 130°29.696'W [Doolan Point] then to 54°20.141'N 130°27.678'W [Observation Point] then following the shoreline to the beginning point. 

4.	Subareas 6-3, 6-4;

5.   A portion of 6-23 [Khutze Inlet] excluding those waters lying southerly of a line that begins at 53°05.7887'N 128°27.1974'W [Pardoe Point] then to due east to 53°05.7865'N 128°25.7469'W.

6.	A portion of 7-6 excluding Bottleneck Inlet: Defined by those waters inside a line that begins at 52°42.7'N 128°25.5'W, then to 52°42.8'N 128°25.5'W, then following the shoreline back to the beginning point.

7.	Subareas  7-10, 7-13, 7-16

8.	A portion of 7-14 excluding Bullock Channel: Those waters of Bullock Channel inside a line that begins at 52°24.8'N 128°4.8'W, then to 52°24.8'N 128°4.4'W, then southerly following the shoreline to 52°21.7'N 128° 3.1'W, then to 52°21.7'N 128°3.7'W, then following the westerly shoreline to the beginning point.

9.	A portion of Subarea 7-15 excluding Troup Passage: 
Those portions of Subarea 7-15 lying inside of a line that begins at 52°18.201?N 127°57.968?W [Jagers Point], then following the westerly shoreline of Cunningham Island to 52°12.252?N 128°05.718?W [Dumas Point], then to 52°13.595?N 128°07.398?W [Chatfield Island], then following the northerly shoreline of Chatfield Island to 52°18.201?N 128°00.831?W, then due east to the beginning point. 

10.	A portion of 7-17 excluding Huayet: Those waters of Lama Passage and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 52°4.2'N 128°5.6'W (Westminster Point), then to 52°3.9'N 128°3.0'W (Harbourmaster Point), then following the southern shoreline to the beginning point.

11.	Subareas 9-2, 9-4

12.	A portion of subarea 9-3 excluding Johnston Bay: Those waters of Rivers Inlet inside a line that begins at 51°30.4'N 127°32.2'W, then to 51°30.5'N 127°31.5'W, following the southerly shoreline back to the beginning point.

This additional portion will have a maximum trap limit of 20 and once-daily haul restriction in place:

13. 	A portion of Subarea 10-12 [Takush Harbour] that lies east of a line that begins at 51°17.014'N and 127°35.527'W on Greaves Island to 51°17.000'N and 127°35.526'W and west of a line that begins at 51°16.244'N and 127°34.314'W on Greaves Island to 51°15.799'N and 127°34.094'W. 

Spatial closure information, including coordinates, is listed below. 

These actions are as per the 2025/26 Crab Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. 

NOTES:

Hanging Bait

The use of hanging bait is prohibited in Area B.  All bait must be placed within a hard plastic bait cup with a screw-top lid.  The bait cups may have holes drilled in them but holes can be no larger than 8 mm in diameter.

Trap Limits

The Area B trap limit is 361 including a maximum of 180 traps in the seasonal Central Coast, Nass Estuary and Kitkatla areas and a maximum of 20 traps in Takush Harbour.

Best Management Practices:

Release all by-catch species with the least possible harm.  Retention of flatfish, finfish, and soft, female, and undersized Dungeness crab is prohibited.

To improve FSC access and to reduce conflicts, keep gear away from areas fronting First Nation reserves. 

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

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

Minimise wash in harbours, particularly at boat launches, marinas and other wharves.

Avoid pulling crab traps through beds of eel grass.

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

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 finger pressure.  A crab with a durometer measurement of 70 units or less is defined as a soft-shell crab.

Camera Electronic Monitoring

The service provider for Area B is Pacific Coast Fishery Services Inc. (250-931-7686, willem@pcfish.ca).  This service provider provides EM coverage, plastic trap tags & RFID Chips, logbook service, and conducts biological sampling.  Prior to fishing, all vessels must have installed a camera electronic monitoring (EM) system by PCFS or arrange for observer coverage.

The following areas are closed year-round to commercial crab harvesting:

Gingolx, Subarea 3-12: 
Those portions of Subarea 3-12 and the Nass River estuary inside a line that begins at 55°00.626'N 130°00.329'W [Nass Point] then to 55º00.000'N 130º01.000'W then to 54º58.200'N 129º55.000'W then to 54°59.082'N 129°55.053'W [Fort Point navigation marker] then following the shoreline to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Stewart, Subarea 3-15: 
That portion of 3-15 lying northerly of the parallel passing through 55°37.617'N [Green Islets] and easterly of the international boundary between Canada and the United States. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Subarea 3-16: 
Those waters of Portland Canal and adjacent waters lying northerly of the parallel passing through 55°47.807'N at Engineers Point and easterly of the international boundary between Canada and the United States. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Prince Rupert, Subarea 4-9: 
That portion of Subarea 4-9 inside a line that begins at 54°20.141'N 130°27.678'W [Observation Point] then to 54°19.921'N 130°29.696'W [Doolan Point] then following the easterly shoreline of Tugwell Island to 54°19.125'N 130°30.980'W [Dawes Point] then to 54°18.447'N 130°28.457'W [Straith Point] then to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Subarea 4-10:
Those waters of Prince Rupert Harbour and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 54°20.141'N 130°27.678'W [Observation Point] then following the shoreline of Tuck Inlet to 54°20.197'N 130°16.490'W [Pethick Point] then to 54°20.052'N 130°17.009'W [Ritchie Point] then following the westerly shoreline of Kaien Island to 54°14.079'N 130°20.085'W [near Bishop Island] then to 54°14.113'N 130°22.665'W [Lima Point] then following the easterly shoreline of Digby Island to 54°18.447'N 130°28.457'W [Straith Point] then to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Subarea 4-11: 
Those waters of Porpoise Harbour, Wainwright Basin, Morse Basin, and adjacent waters lying southerly of a line that begins at 54°20.052'N 130°17.009'W [Ritchie Point] then to 54°20.197'N 130°16.490'W [Pethick Point] and northerly of a line that begins at 54°12.152'N 130°18.514'W [Ridley Island] then to 54°12.097'N 130°18.142'W [Lelu Island] then northerly following the shoreline to 54°12.634'N 130°17.485'W [Lelu Island] then true east to 54°12.634'N 130°17.199'W [Tsimpsean Peninsula]. Please refer to the First Nations Harvest plan or the BC Tidal Water Sport Fishing Guide for the Dioxin Closure information. (First Nations FSC, Recreational Access, and Dioxin Closure)

Kitkatla, Subarea 5-3: 
Those waters of Kitkatla Channel and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 53°50.268'N 130°30.206'W [Chief Point] then easterly following the shoreline to 53°49.704'N 130°20.488'W [Sparrowhawk Point] then to 53°47.766'N 130°18.771'W [McCauley Island] then to 53°47.308'N 130°23.724'W [Browning Island] then to 53°47.490'N 130°24.571'W [Dolphin Island] then following the northerly shoreline of Dolphin Island to 53°47.819'N 130°25.981'W [Kitkatla Village on Dolphin Island] then to 53°49.194'N 130°30.009'W [Goschen Island] then to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Subarea 5-10: 
Those waters of Browning Entrance and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 53°49.194'N 130°30.009'W [Goschen Island] then to 53°47.819'N 130°25.981'W [Kitkatla Village on Dolphin Island] then following the southerly shoreline of Dolphin Island to 53°47.490'N 130°24.571'W [Dolphin Island] then to 53°47.308'N 130°23.724'W [Browning Island] then to 53°47.766'N 130°18.771'W [McCauley Island] then southerly following the shoreline to 53°40.427'N 130°24.525'W [Baird Point] then to 53°38.261'N 130°27.990'W [Banks Island] then to 53°47.291'N 130°33.162'W [Viscount Point] then northeasterly following the shoreline to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Kitimat, Subarea 6-1: 
Those waters of Douglas Channel, Devastation Channel, Kitimat Arm, and adjacent waters lying northeasterly of a line that begins at 53°45.238'N 129°01.852'W [Paisley Point] then to 53°41.498'N 129°05.121'W [Grant Point] then following the shoreline to 53°41.197'N 129°04.789'W [Maitland Island] then to 53°40.494'N 129°04.797'W [Hawkesbury Island] then following the easterly shoreline of Hawkesbury Island to 53°33.600'N 128°53.406'W [Eva Point] then to 53°34.147'N 128°49.007'W [Staniforth Point] then to 53°33.903'N 128°46.107'W [mainland]. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Coghlan Anchorage, Subarea 6-2: 
That portion of Subarea 6-2 west of a line begins at 53°25.478'N 129°14.242'W [Halsey Point] then to 53°24.728'N 129°14.214'W [Dawson Point] then following the westerly shoreline of Promise Island to 53°22.022'N 129°15.699'W [Thom Point] then to 53°21.878'N 129°16.208'W [Waterman Point] then northerly following the shoreline to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Kitkiata Inlet, Subarea 6-2: 
That portion of Subarea 6-2 west of a line begins at 53°37.876'N 129°13.853'W [Gertrude Point] then to 53°36.798'N 129°14.411'W [Helen Point]. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure )

Kiskosh Inlet, Subarea 6-2: 
That portion of Subarea 6-2 west of a line begins at 53°31.180'N 129°13.955'W then to 53°30.579'N 129°14.140'W. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Higgins Passage, Subarea 6-16 and 7-3: 
Those portions of Subareas 6-16 and 7-3 lying inside of a line that begins at 52°29.074586'N 128°45.836113'W [southwest Swindle Island], then southwest to 52°28.658625'N 128°47.783029'W, then south to 52°27.752182'N 128°47.957771'W, then east to 52°27.505255'N 128°45.896523'W [west Price Island], then following the northern shoreline of Price Island to 52°27.564212'N 128°37.583357'W, then 52°27.919086'N 128°36.925324'W then following the southern shoreline of Swindle Island to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC Access Closure)

Khutze Inlet, Subarea 6-23: 
A portion of Subarea 6-23 lying southerly of a line that begins at 53°05.7887' N 128°27.1974' W [Pardoe Point] then to due east to 53°05.7865' N 128°25.7469' W. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Bottleneck, Subarea 7-6: 
Those waters of PFMA 7-6 within Bottleneck Inlet: Defined by those waters inside a line that begins at 52°42.7' N 128°25.5' W, then to 52°42.8' N 128°25.5' W, then following the shoreline back to the beginning point. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Mussel Inlet, Subarea 7-7: 
Those portions of Mussel Inlet lying easterly of a line that begins at 52°54.608550'N 128°7.088569'W [Carse Point] then south to 52°53.891016'N 128°6.686082'W [east of David Bay]. (First Nations FSC Access Closure) 

Griffin, Subarea 7-9: 
Those waters in a portion of 7-9 inside a line that begins at 52°46.0240' N 128°20.9051' W, then due east to 52°46.0175' N 128°19.9661' W then following the eastern shoreline to the south to the point 52°40.5787' N 128°16.3566' W and then due west to 52°40.5787' N 128°17.2617' W and then following the west shore north to the beginning point. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Kynoch Inlet, Subarea 7-11: 
Those waters of Kynoch Inlet lying easterly of a line that begins at 52°46.109'N 128°07.820'W [Garvey Point] then to 52°45.582'N 128°06.788'W [Kynoch Point]. This closure includes the eastern portion of Kynoch Inlet and Culpepper Lagoon. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Bullock, Subarea 7-14:
A portion of 7-14 within Bullock Channel inside a line that begins at 52°24.8034' N 128°04.7689' W, then due east to 52°24.8034' N 128°04.4230' W then following the eastern shoreline to the south to the point 52°22.3772' N 128°03.4271' W and then due west to 52°22.3729' N 128°03.9442' W and then following the west shore north 
to the beginning point. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Troup Passage, Subarea 7-15: 
Those portions of Subarea 7-15 lying inside of a line that begins at 52°18.201?N 127°57.968?W [Jagers Point], then following the westerly shoreline of Cunningham Island to 52°12.252?N 128°05.718?W [Dumas Point], then to 52°13.595?N 128°07.398?W [Chatfield Island], then following the northerly shoreline of Chatfield Island to 52°18.201?N 128°00.831?W, then due east to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC Access Closure )

Hauyet, Subarea 7-17:
A portion of 7-17 including Hauyet: Those waters of Lama Passage and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 52°4.2' N 128°5.6' W (Westminster Point), then to 52°3.9' N 128°3.0'W (Harbourmaster Point), then following the southern shoreline to the beginning point. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Fitz Hugh Sound/Koeye Inlet, Subarea 8-3:
Those waters of Fitz Hugh Sound including the Koeye River estuary inside a line that begins at 51°44.011'N 127°59.798'W [Kelpie Point Light] then to 51°48.949'N 127°53.842'W [Uganda Point] then southerly following the shoreline to 51°42.967'N 127°53.462'W [Whidbey Point] then to the beginning point. This closes Koeye River estuary. (First Nations FSC Access Closure)

Dean Channel, Subarea 8-7:
Those waters of Dean Channel and adjacent waters lying northeasterly of a line that begins at 52°16.065'N 127°47.100'W [Boscowitz Point] then to 52°14.759'N 127°45.956'W [Rattenbury Point] and southwesterly of a line that begins at 52°27.297'N 127°17.586'W [north of Eucott Bay] then to 52°26.354'N 127°16.415'W [Edward Point]. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Kimsquit, Subarea 8-8:
That portion of subarea 8-8 within the north end of Dean Channel: North of a line that begins at 52°35.3013' N 127°09.7818' W, then to 52°34.4591' N 127°08.9307' W and subarea 8-9. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

North Bentinck Arm, Subarea 8-11:
Those waters of North Bentinck Arm and adjacent waters lying easterly of a line that begins at 52°19.948?N 126°59.164?W [Loiyentsi Point] then to 52°18.084?N 127°00.457?W [near Menzies Point] then to 52°18.727?N 126°57.905?W [Tallheo Point]. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

South Bentinck, Subarea 8-12: 
That portion of subarea 8-12 within the south end of Bentinck arm: South of a line that begins at 52°03.4381' N 126°41.3674' W, then to 52°02.6243' N 126°43.1459' W. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

South Bentinck 2: 
That portion of Subarea 8-12 within Bentinck Arm inside a line that begins at 52°08.3851' N 126°49.8189' W, then due north to 52°09.9041' N 126°49.7904' W then following the eastern shoreline to the north to the point 52°14.6654' N 126°55.1455' W and then due west to 52°14.6786' N 126°56.7887' W and then following the west shore south to the beginning point. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Burke Channel/Doc Creek, Subarea 8-13: 
Those waters within Subarea 8-13 of Burke Channel inside a line that
begins at 51°57.9781' N 127°40.4324' W then southwest to
51°57.0328' N 127°41.3889' W. This closes the estuaries of Doc Creek and Nootsum River. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

Kwatna, Subarea 8-14: 
That portion of subarea 8-14 within Kwatna Bay: East of a line that begins at 52°07.0781' N 127°26.0781' W, then to 52°06.4534' N 
127°26.0781' W. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Kwatalena, Subarea 8-14: 
That portion of subarea 8-14 within Kwatna Inlet: South of a line that begins at 52°03.5732' N 127°36.0804' W, then to 52°03.3190' N
127°34.8727' W. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Rivers Inlet, Subareas 9-5 through 9-9. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Johnston Bay, Subarea 9-3: 
That portion of subarea 9-3 including Johnston Bay: Those waters of Rivers Inlet inside a line that begins at 51°30.4' N 127°32.2' W, then to 51°30.5' N 127°31.5' W, following the southerly shoreline back to the beginning point. (Central Coast Collaborative Crab Management Closure)

Takush Harbour:
Subarea 10-4, 10-5 and 10-12: 
Those portions of Subareas 10-4, 10-5 and 10-12 lying east of a line that begins at 51°16.356'W and 127°40.651'N due north to 51°16.851'W and 127°40.661'N then southeast of a line from 51°16.851'W and 127°40.661'N to 51°18.664'W and 127°35.260'N and southwest of a line from 51°18.664'W and 127°35.260'N to 51°18.395'W and 127°33.750'N on Greaves Island then following the westerly shoreline of Greaves Island to 51°17.014'W and 127°35.527'N then to 51°17.000'W and 127°35.526'N then following the shoreline to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)

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 or:

Sara Dansereau
North Coast Resource Manager
Tel: (250) 301-3591
E-mail: sara.dansereau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1010
Sent September 24, 2025 at 1639

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