Fishery Notice

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:

Subareas 17-5, 17-6, and 17-9 (Stuart Channel);
Subareas 19-7 to 19-12 inclusive (Saanich Inlet);
Subareas 23-1 to 23-3 inclusive (Alberni Canal).

These areas will be closed for the following periods:

From 00:01 hours September 8, until 23:59 hours September 15, 2015;
From 00:01 hours October 1, until 23:59 hours October 15, 2015;
From 00:01 hours November 1, until 23:59 hours November 15, 2015;
From 00:01 hours December 1, until 23:59 hours December 15, 2015;
From 00:01 hours January 1, 2016, until further notice based on spawner index 
testing.

The strategy of alternating closures and openings referred to as "pulse 
fishing" has been reviewed and supported by the Sport Fishing Advisory Board 
(SFAB) Groundfish/Shellfish Subcommittee and the SFAB main board, by the 
elected industry representatives of the Prawn Industry Caucus, and by First 
Nations in the subject areas. As part of the overall management of these high 
use areas, spawner index surveys are undertaken. Following October surveys, 
decisions will be made and announced by early December on the possibility of 
further openings or the need for winter closure from January 1 through to March 
31, 2016 to allow the spawning cycle to complete.

Recreational prawn fishing in all other coastal areas remains open until 
further notice subject to the results of spawner index testing which will be 
conducted in October-November. Results will be announced by early December. 
 
These actions are in accordance with the Recreational Harvest Plan, Appendix 2 
of the 2015-16 Prawn and Shrimp by Trap Integrated Fishery Management Plan. 

Refer to the 2013 to 2015 B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide for further 
information on daily bag, possession and trap limits.

Variation Order Number 2015-360. Variation Order Number 2015-344 is revoked.

  
FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Laurie Convey 250-756-7233
Mike Kattilakoski 250-756-7315
David Fogtmann 250-339-3799
Brad Beaith 250-756-7190

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0749
Sent July 27, 2015 at 1046

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 17, 2024 at 2306