Fishery Notice

Recreational Prawn and Shrimp by Trap Fishers are advised that the harvest of 
prawns and shrimp by trap, ring net, or spear while diving, will close in the 
following Subareas as described in the Pacific Fishery Management Area 
Regulations:

1. Subareas 17-5, 17-6, and 17-9 (Stuart Channel);
2. Subareas 19-7 to 19-12 inclusive (Saanich Inlet);
3. Subareas 23-1 to 23-3 inclusive (Alberni Inlet).

These areas will be closed for the following periods:

from 00:01 hours September 4 until 23:59 hours September 15, 2018;
from 00:01 hours October 1 until 23:59 hours October 15, 2018;
from 00:01 hours November 1 until 23:59 hours November 15, 2018;
from 00:01 December 1 until 23:59 hours December 15, 2018;
from 00:01 hours January 1, 2019, until further notice based on spawner index 
testing to be conducted in October - November.

Following October - November spawner index testing, decisions will be made and 
announced by early December on the possibility for further openings or the need 
for winter closure from January 1 through to March 31, 2019 to allow the prawn 
spawning cycle to complete. The 3 month winter closure protects large, mature 
egg-bearing female prawns as their eggs prepare to hatch.


All other coastal areas remain open to the harvest of prawns and shrimp by 
trap, ring net, or spear while diving until further notice, with the exception 
of the following which are closed year round: Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound 
sponge reef areas, Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area, Hecate 
Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area, Race 
Rocks Ecological Reserve, Whytecliffe Park, Porteau Cove, Point Atkinson, and 
Vancouver Harbour between Lions Gate Bridge and Ironworkers Memorial Bridge 
(also known as Second Narrows Bridge).
 
All prawns carrying eggs shall be returned to the water immediately and in the 
manner that causes the least harm. 

Refer to the following website to Plan Ahead: seasonal prawn closures 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/shellfish-coquillages-eng.html  

Refer to the following website for maps and information about the Strait of 
Georgia and Howe Sound sponge reef closures http://www.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/oceans/ceccsr-cerceef/closures-fermetures-eng.html 

Refer to Fishery Notice 0133 (2017) for coordinates and information about the 
Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected 
Area which is located offshore in Pacific Fishery Management Areas 105, 106, 
and 107 http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?
pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=194216&ID=all  

The daily bag, possession and trap limits continue to be in effect coastwide. 
Refer to the B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide for further information 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html
 
These actions are in accordance with the Recreational Harvest Plan, Appendix 2 
of the 2018/19 Prawn and Shrimp by Trap Integrated Fisheries Management Plan.

Variation Order Number 2018-RCT-0480. 


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Laurie Convey 250-756-7233 laurie.convey@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Mike Kattilakoski 250-756-7315 mike.kattilakoski@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
David Fogtmann 250-339-3799 david.fogtmann@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Brad Beaith 250-756-7190 brad.beaith@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0967
Sent September 7, 2018 at 1217

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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 April 18, 2024 at 1853