Fishery Notice

The commercial Manila and Littleneck Clam fishery by hand picking opens from 16:45 hours October 26, to 08:00 hours October 28, 2026 (2 tides) in the following areas:

Subareas 13-1, 13-12 to 13-17 and

A portion of Subarea 15-3 (Twin Islands)

This commercial opening excludes the following areas, which remain closed all year round, as per the 2026-2029 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (Appendix 3 Section 5):

Manson's Landing Marine Park;
Rebecca Spit Provincial Park;
Octopus Islands Marine Park; 
Mitlenatch Island Nature Park; and
Inner Squirrel Cove.

Variation Order # 2026-471 will be in effect.

Harvesters are encouraged to make safety a priority on the water while transiting to and from the harvest site, including checking weather and tides, ensuring vessels and safety equipment are in good working order, and maintaining regular communication plans. More information on fishing vessel safety can be found in Appendix 7 of the Intertidal Clam Integrated Fisheries Management Plan.

Harvesting is prohibited in all sanitary contamination closures and biotoxin closures. Licence holders are responsible for checking that an area is open before harvesting.

This fishery will only take place provided marine biotoxin (PSP/red tide, ASP, DSP) levels and water quality remain acceptable. Areas that are closed as a result of the Biotoxin notice subsequent to this notice are not open to this fishery. Harvesters are responsible for checking Fishery Notices for the Bivalve Shellfish Marine Biotoxin Updates, as recommended by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and issued by DFO. 

For descriptions of sanitary and biotoxin closures see the DFO website at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/contamination/biotox/index-eng.htm

This is a reminder that if you are harvesting clams for commercial purposes you may only harvest in areas classified as approved by the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program. 

The following areas are approved for harvest by the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program: 

Subarea 13-1: BC-013-DS-A-003; BC-013-DS-A-033
Subarea 13-12: BC-013-DS-A-031; BC-013-DS-A-036; BC-013-DS-A-037; BC-013-DS-A-038; BC-013-DS-A-040; BC-013-DS-A-041; BC-013-DS-A-042; BC-013-DS-A-043; BC-013-DS-A-045 
Subarea 13-13: BC-013-DS-A-033; BC-013-DS-A-034; BC-013-DS-A-035
Subarea 13-14: BC-013-DS-A-003; BC-013-DS-A-030; BC-013-DS-A-033
Subarea 13-15: BC-013-DS-A-003; BC-013-DS-A-004; BC-013-DS-A-026; BC-013-DS-A-027; BC-013-DS-A-028; BC-013-DS-A-029; BC-013-DS-A-030
Subarea 13-16: BC-013-DS-A-005; BC-013-DS-A-019; BC-013-DS-A-020; BC-013-DS-A-021; BC-013-DS-A-023; BC-013-DS-A-024
Subarea 13-17: BC-013-DS-A-006; BC-013-DS-A-007; BC-013-DS-A-009; BC-013-DS-A-010; BC-013-DS-A-012; BC-013-DS-A-013; BC-013-DS-A-014; BC-013-DS-A-015; BC-013-DS-A-016; BC-013-DS-A-017; BC-013-DS-A-018; BC-013-DS-A-022
Subarea 15-3: BC-013-DS-A-003; BC-015-DS-A-008; BC-015-DS-A-009; BC-015-DS-A-011

Approved areas are indicated with the above unique ID and shown in green on the bivalve harvesting map called SHELLI which can be accessed at this link: https://egisp.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/vertigisstudio/web/?app=84572c5703a24d0cbe062d2d7ba126d7&locale=en.

The unique ID is a combination of letters and numbers and all follow this same general format of PROVINCE-SUBAREA-GROWINGAREA-CLASSIFICATION-ID#. 

Prior to harvesting, look at the SHELLI map and ensure you are harvesting in the green areas with the correct unique ID and that there are no marine biotoxin (PSP/red tide, ASP, DSP) closures in place. The approved areas are the only areas which are approved for the commercial harvest of clams as per the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program. The maps will work on a computer or your smart phone. 

Shellfish harvesters are advised to monitor weather conditions and warnings and to plan their harvesting activities accordingly.

Harvesters should contact their respective buyers and processors prior to the fishery to ensure their product will be purchased.

Harvesters are advised to observe the boundaries of any intertidal tenures. Harvesting on any tenures is prohibited under this fishery opening.

Harvesters are reminded that they need a valid 2026/27 commercial clam licence to participate in openings and must carry valid photo identification and a copy of their fishing licence. All Z2 licence holders need a valid 2026 Fisher's Registration Card.

All harvesters must follow the conditions of their licence.
This includes:
Wearing a high visibility vest with licence number marked on it. 
Ensure all containers holding clams are marked or tagged, at all times, with the following information:
Licence number, Harvest date, Licence holder's name, beach or location where harvesting occurred, species, and the Pacific Fisheries Management Subarea. Tags must be waterproof and information shall be written in water resistant ink. 

Please contact the Fishery Manager to receive a copy of the 2026/29 Intertidal Clam Integrated Fisheries Management Plan.

Report suspicious activity or violations by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or 604-607-4186 in greater Vancouver.

The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474 or 604-666-2828 in greater Vancouver.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jenny Smith
236-330-2963

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1157
Sent October 26, 2026 at 0945

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 October 26, 2026 at 1341