Area 17, 19, and 23 is below. It's open until end of year. Pulse fishing in effect in some areas just like previous years. All the other areas are open without pulse fishing. No decision on closure after Jan.1st as far as I know yet.
Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Shellfish
Subject:
FN0859-RECREATIONAL - Shellfish - Prawn and Shrimp - Areas 17, 19, 23 - Closures
Recreational Prawn and Shrimp by Trap 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 8 until 23:59 hours September 15, 2020;
from 00:01 hours October 1 until 23:59 hours October 15, 2020;
from 00:01 hours November 1 until 23:59 hours November 15, 2020;
from 00:01 December 1 until 23:59 hours December 15, 2020;
from 00:01 hours January 1, 2021, 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, 2021 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. 2020-RCT-273.
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
Information for BC Recreational Fishers on the Coronavirus (COVID-19):
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=231503&ID=all
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 - FN0859
Sent August 21, 2020 at 1200