Fishery Notice

Shrimp Trawl fishery opens in South Coast areas 00:01 hours June 1, 2018. Some 
Subareas are closed to the retention of prawns.

The following areas open at 00:01 hours June 1, 2018 for all species of shrimp 
including possession limit of 100 prawns by shrimp beam trawl and otter trawl 
gear.

Subareas 11-3 to 11-10
Subareas 12-1 to 12-21, 12-23 to 12-29, 12-31 to 12-35, 12-37 to 12-42, except 
permanent closures
Subareas 14-1 to 14-7, 14-9, 14-10, 14-12, and 14-13, except permanent closures
Subareas 20-1 and 20-3 to 20-5, except permanent closures
Area 24 except for the Pacific Rim National Park (Grice Bay, McBey Inlets) 
closures and except for permanent closures
Subareas 25-1 to 25-15
Subareas 26-1 to 26-9

Variation order 2018-315 will be in effect.

The following areas open as of 00:01 hours June 1, 2018 for all species of 
shrimp excluding prawns by shrimp trawl gear.

Subareas 12-30, 12-43 to 12-47
Subareas 17-1 to 17-6, 17-8 to 17-13, 17-15, 17-16 and 17-18 to 17-21 except 
permanent closures

Variation order 2018-316 will be 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 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 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.

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. There is the opportunity to evaluate LED 
lights under Scientific Licence for SMAs 23IN, 23OFF&21OFF, 124OFF and 125OFF, 
should these areas be open to fishing - apply to the South Coast Fishery 
Manager.

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.

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.

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

Vessels fishing in an area open to prawn retention by trawl are restricted to 
an incidental, legal size, possession limit of 100 individual prawns (Pandalus 
platyceros) whole in the shell. When areas open to prawn retention, all prawns 
with eggs shall be released immediately and unharmed to the waters from which 
they were caught. No prawns or shrimp that are not permitted to be retained 
under the authority of this licence shall be on board the licensed vessel.

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 - FN0416
Sent May 29, 2018 at 0956

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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 1927