Fishery Notice

Shrimp trawl fishery opens in North Coast and South Coast Areas 11, 12, 14, 17, 
20 and inshore portions of Areas 24, 25 and 26 at 00:01 hours June 1, 2018. 
Some Subareas are closed to the retention of prawns and will be announced by 
Fishery Notice on May 29, 2018.

The following South Coast Shrimp Management Areas (SMA) had low shrimp biomass 
last year and are closed for rebuilding and will not open until a stock 
assessment is done and it is determined that there is a healthy biomass of 
shrimp:  SMAs 124OFF, 125OFF, 23IN, 23OFF and 21OFF, GSTE, 16, 18, 19 and FR.

Notes:
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 
2018/19. 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, 2018 have been met.

To confirm logbook approval status please 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 27IN and 27OFF (Pacific Fishery Management Areas 27 and 
127) 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 South 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.

When West Coast Vancouver Island areas 124OFF and 125OFF are open, an at-sea 
observer must be monitoring all fishing activity. Requirements for observers 
for other areas will be defined by the service provider at the time of 
obtaining a fishing hail number.

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. 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. 

Sponge Reef closures in Areas 14, 17, 18, 28 and 29 are now in effect. 
Coordinates and maps for these closures are available at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/protection/sponge_reef-recif_eponge-
eng.html.

Refer to 2018/19 Shrimp Trawl Integrated Fishery Management Plan for further 
details and management changes for this season or for further information 
contact:
Shrimp Trawl Manager: Dan Clark 250-756-7327
North/Central Coast: Coral Keehn 250-627-3021
Fraser River: Anna Magera 604-916-6743
Conservation and Protection: Joe Knight 250-286-5816

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0391
Sent May 17, 2018 at 1333

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on January 13, 2026 at 2041