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, 2020 to 23:59 hours March 31, 2020, in the following 
Subareas as described in the Pacific Fishery Management Area 
Regulations:

Subareas 16-1, 16-2, 16-5, 16-8 to 16-11, 16-16 to 16-18 (Malaspina Strait / 
lower Jervis Inlet and Sechelt / Narrow Inlets); 
Subareas 17-5, 17-15, 17-16 (Stuart Channel and inside Nanaimo); 
Subareas 19-7 to 19-12 (Saanich Inlet);
Subareas 23-1 to 23-4 (Alberni Inlet / Barkley Sound); 
Subareas 25-1 (Muchalat Inlet); and 
Subarea 28-3 (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, 2020. 

Subareas 16-6, 16-7 (portion Sechelt Inlet), 17-6, 17-9 (portion Stuart 
Channel), 17-10 to 17-13 and 17-18 (outside Nanaimo) will be open to "pulse 
fishing" (closed in the first half of the month and open in the second half of 
the month) through to March 31, 2020. Accordingly, Subareas 16-6, 16-7, 17-6, 
17-9 to 17-13, and 17-18 are closed from:

00:01 hours January 1, 2020 to 23:59 hours January 15, 2020; 
00:01 hours February 1, 2020 to 23:59 hours February 15, 2020; and 
00:01 hours March 1, 2020 to 23:59 hours March 15, 2020.   

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 Marine Refuges; 
Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site 
Strict Protection Zones;
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).
 
Daily, possession and trap limits are in effect coast-wide.  

Variation Order Number 2019-662. 


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
 
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


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

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1280
Sent December 20, 2019 at 1440

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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 March 8, 2026 at 1008