Came out today:
Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Shellfish
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN1280-RECREATIONAL - Shellfish - Prawn and Shrimp - Areas 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 23, 25, 28 Closures
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 and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN1280
Sent December 20, 2019 at 14:39
Visit us on the Web at
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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If you have any questions, please contact us via e-mail to:
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