Fishery Notice

Recreational prawn and shrimp by trap harvesters are advised that the harvest 
of prawns and shrimp by trap, ring net, or spear while diving, will close from 
00:01 hours January 1, to 23:59 hours March 31, 2019, in the following Subareas 
as described in the Pacific Fishery Management Area 
Regulations:

Subareas 13-12, 13-16 (Quadra Island); 
Subarea 15-1 (Powell River);
Subareas 16-5 to 16-8 (Sechelt / Narrow Inlets); 
Subareas 16-16, 16-17 (Malaspina Strait / lower Jervis Inlet); 
Subareas 17-5, 17-6, 17-9 (Stuart Channel);
Subareas 17-13, 17-16 (Nanaimo); 
Subareas 23-1 to 23-4 (Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound); 
Subareas 25-1 to 25-5, 25-8, 25-16 (Tahsis-Gold River); and 
Subareas 28-1, 28-5 (portion Howe Sound).

These 3-month winter closures are in place to allow the prawn spawning period 
to complete. These areas re-open 00:01 hours April 1, 2019. 

Subareas 19-7 to 19-12 (Saanich Inlet) will continue "pulse fishing" (closed in 
the first half of the month and open in the second half of the month) through 
to March 31, 2019. This means that Subareas 19-7 to 19-12 are closed from:

00:01 hours December 1 to 23:59 hours December 15, 2018; 
00:01 hours January 1 to 23:59 hours January 15, 2019; 
00:01 hours February 1 to 23:59 hours February 15, 2019; and 
00:01 hours March 1 to 23:59 hours March 15, 2019.   

All prawns carrying eggs externally on the underside of the tail must be 
returned to the water immediately and in the manner that causes the least harm. 

All other coastal areas remain open to the harvest of prawns and shrimp by 
trap, ring net, or spear while diving until further notice, except the 
following protected areas which are closed year round: 

Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound glass 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 and Area of Interest (AOI); 
Whytecliffe Park; 
Porteau Cove; 
Point Atkinson; and 
Vancouver Harbour between Lions Gate Bridge and Ironworkers Memorial Bridge 
(also known as Second Narrows Bridge).
  
Variation Order No. 2018-625. Variation Order No. 2018-480 is revoked.

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  

The daily, 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.

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
Anna Magera 604-916-6743   anna.magera@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Brad Beaith 250-756-7190   brad.beaith@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1310
Sent December 3, 2018 at 1531

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 19, 2024 at 1805