24 April 01 DFO issued two notices to industry today, one for the South Coast and Offshore and one for the North Coast. This confirms the 2001 prawn season will open on 1 May. Go here to read both. At this point I would like to thank all prawn fishermen, industry and DFO for all the time and hard work involved in bringing us to the start of a new season. Its time to go fishing... Thanks to all for using this site. Hopefully you found something worth reading. Your comments or suggestions for the future, of this site and the fishery, are most welcome. Thanks again and wishing you all a good season...Rick.

13 April 01 JO Thomas now has trap tags available. You can pay fees for the season, pick up tags, receive the confirmation letter for DFO and get logbooks and service. DFO should be ready to collect vessel license fees after 20 April. Note: This date for DFO licensing has changed. It is best to to phone before making the trip into town. Update from DFO 13 APR **The licence application documents were mailed out Thursday (11 APR). They include advice on steps and documents needed to go to Licencing. Licencing will commence several days after the fishing plan has been signed off by the Regional Director General. I understand that the plan is now in her office for review and signature. Once signed, it is printed and distributed to the 3 Licencing offices, and then licensing can commence. There will be a Notice to Industry announcing that, and I will post a notice to the listserv. We are still targetting a May 1 opening.**

4 April 01 A total of 14 directors were elected at the PPFA Annual General Meeting. Good use was made of proxy votes. Directors for the 2001-2002 term are: Brent Adams Bob Alford - Treasurer/Chairperson Phil Burgess Laurie Chambers - Vice President Mike Cullen Kevin Erikson Rochelle Fairfield   Randy Happach Rick Jerema Lou Kiselich Nathan Pearl Bill Stefiuk Dan Stephens Brian Van Dorp - President Coreen Van Dorp kindly consented to stay on as secretary for another term. Thankyou Coreen from the PPFA.

2 April 01 PPFA and JO Thomas and Associates have signed the service provider contract. The Collaborative Agreement with DFO is nearing completion and the opening is still as scheduled on 1 May. Prawnvoice will post the procedure here for payment of fees and vessel license just as soon as the details are worked out. This should only take a few days. Reminder for the PPFA Annual General Meeting on 4 April. If you are not planning on attending and voting please do use your proxy. You can give it to a director in the running or fax in to the PPFA office. The second MED A-1 course is coming up in Madeira Park starting 19 April. Check the details and course outline. Only one space available as of 3 April.

27 March 01 Re: 2001 Pacific Prawn Fishery Update This letter is from the Prawn Caucus and is meant to provide information to prawn licence holders regarding the various initiatives being undertaken in support of the 2001 Pacific prawn fishery. Most industry participants are aware that in 2001 and beyond, DFO will not be collecting management fees through license fees (as was done from 1995 through 2000) to support DFO enforcement, research and/or management activities related to this fishery...   read the rest here

17 March 01 Apologies for the lack of news in the last while. That must be good. The sectoral caucus appears to agree on most issues including contingency funding.   DFO, JOT and the PPFA are in the final stages of signing the agreement and contract. No indication of a delayed season and still looking at a 1 May 2001 opening. A note on the PPFA annual general meeting and election of directors can be found here. Use your vote.

8 March 01 DFO made their position clear at an informal meeting of caucus in Nanaimo on 6 March. Outline and details, which should clarify, and bring the situation into perspective, can be seen if you click here. First and foremost all parties strived for clarity and transparency. Do you think this has been achieved?

5 March 01 There appears to be some confusion within the prawn industry and a clarification is in order.  Industry reps are in process of negotiating the collaborative agreement with DFO as well as the contract with the selected service provider. This should soon be in place. Once everything is signed you will be officially notified by DFO.   Final costs, and to whom they should be remitted, have not yet been determined.   If you have not been contacted please contact your sectoral rep for more info.

Letter to the Sectoral Caucus outlining the drafted changes for the 2001 Management Plan can be seen by clicking  here.

20 Feb 01 The PPFA Annual General Meeting is coming up this spring.  All members, if you are interested in seeking election as a director you should contact the PPFA as soon as possible. Current directors must advise if they wish to seek relection. For more info contact prawn@mybc.com

Marine Emergency Duties The MED A-1 course is mandatory for all crew members. This ticket is required immediately following 6 months sea-time and must be in place prior to that. Note: Required by Transport Canada The Pender Harbour Community School has set up two courses: March 8th, 9th and 10th April 19th, 20th and 21st **Only 3 spaces left for March course--as of Feb 27, 2001 ** Check the details and course outline.   and reserve your place now.

Sectoral Caucus has selected a Service Provider A proposal submitted by J.O.Thomas & Associates was selected over two others for the 2001 prawn season. PPFA has begun the process of negotiating the implementation of the contract. View the selection details.

The Prawn Sectoral Committee Meeting on 30 Jan 01 went over well. My version of the events is here. In summary, the sectoral caucus has endorsed: -single haul coastwide -stack 300/500 -PPFA as our recognised representative association This is by no means the final fishing plan. DFO input is yet to come. DFO has also recognised PPFA as the representative industry association for the prawn fishermen.

Prawn Sectoral Committee Agenda January 30th, 2001 10:00 - 16:00 Coast Bastion Hotel, Nanaimo, BC 1. Introductions 2. Commercial Harvest Plan 2001   * industry ballot outcome, tags, P licence inquiry - packing on the grounds, holding cages, service companies, next steps & timelines, current funds   * collaborative agreement 3. Prawn Research Committee 4. Recreational Fishery Topics 5. Sectoral Committee - Industry Representatives / Elections 6. LMAC Concerns, Buoys In Navigational Channels 7. Conflict/Negotiation Skills Workshop 8. Prawn Sectoral Committee - Industry Representation Sept. 2001 9. Other Business

Excerpt from DFO letter to listserve December 02, 1999 "The Department has chosen to respect the agreement achieved at the November 17 sectoral meeting by the industry representatives, for the one year period of the pilot management program. Pilot programs are intended to test alternatives. The Department hereby commits that stacking provisions will revert to 300/450 following the year 2000 fishery, unless otherwise requested by a majority of the licence holders." The full letter is here.

12 Jan 2001 Preliminary results of the Fishing Option and Stacking Provision Ballot for the 2001 fishing season: 1. Fishing Options   106   No Area Licencing, Single Haul coast wide, open access    88    Area Licencing (2000's plan)     3     Disputed votes still to be decided 2. Stacking Provision   98    450 traps maximum for stacked licence   95    500 traps maximum for stacked licence    3     Disputed votes still to be decided    1     Non vote