Fishery Notice

Recreational prawn and shrimp 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 5 until 23:59 hours September 15, 2023;
from 00:01 hours October 1 until 23:59 hours October 15, 2023;
from 00:01 hours November 1 until 23:59 hours November 15, 2023;
from 00:01 hours December 1 until 23:59 hours December 15, 2023;
from 00:01 hours January 1, 2024, until further notice.

Decisions will be made and announced in December on the possibility for further openings or the need for winter closure from January 1 through to March 31, 2024 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, 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 Areas;
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. 2023-RCT-299.


Daily, possession and trap limits are in effect coast-wide. 

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. 

Refer to the B.C. Sport Fishing Guide for further information http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html 
 
To plan ahead, refer to the following website: Seasonal Prawn Closures 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/shellfish-coquillages-eng.html#prawn


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dillon Buerk 250-756-7233  dillon.buerk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Mike Kattilakoski 250-756-7315  mike.kattilakoski@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Brittany Myhal 250-739-9217  brittany.myhal@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Variation Order No. 2023-RCT-299.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0865
Sent August 18, 2023 at 1422

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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 July 27, 2024 at 0116