Fishery Notice

Commercial prawn and shrimp trap licence eligibility holders and vessel owners are reminded of the following: 

DFO is requesting details about the use of a commercial fishing vessel and commercial fishing gear prior to authorizing its use to harvest prawns for food, social, and ceremonial (FSC) purposes. First Nations who may be interested in using your commercial fishing vessel or commercial fishing gear to harvest prawns for FSC purposes may be directed to the local DFO Resource Manager to discuss the details and to obtain a supplemental communal FSC licence that authorizes the use of a Commercial Fishing Vessel or Commercial Fishing Gear to harvest prawns for FSC purposes. A licence must be obtained prior to fishing. Contacts are provided in Section 15 of the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Prawn and Shrimp by Trap. 

For the purposes of this management initiative, commercial gear is defined as power assisted gear commonly used in the commercial fishery including, but not limited to, hydraulic gurdies and trap haulers, powered drums, blocks or live rollers. FSC prawn harvest opportunities using non-commercial vessels and gear will continue to be provided under the regular communal (FSC) licence. 

As well, every person fishing under authority of a communal licence must be designated by the First Nation that holds the licence. The designation must be made in writing and include the person's name and reference the communal licence. The designation must be carried on-board and be produced on request of any Fishery Officer. 

Refer to 2025/26 Prawn and Shrimp by Trap Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (available by request from DFO.PACInvertebrates-InvertebresPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca) respectively for the detailed commercial harvest plan, First Nations harvest plan, and contact numbers for further information or clarification. 


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dillon Buerk dillon.buerk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Coral Cargill coral.cargill@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Mike Kattilakoski mike.kattilakoski@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  
Abigail Mitchell abigail.mitchell@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0406
Sent May 1, 2025 at 1013

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on September 6, 2026 at 0417