The following report was offered by Tom Orr and summarizes the Sectoral Caucus Meeting of 14 March 03. Originally posted to the Prawn Listserve on 27 March 03. Thanks Tom.

Subject: March 14, 2003 prawn sectoral caucus meeting DRAFT REPORT**(disclaimer at bottom) Location; Dorchester Hotel, Oxford Rm. Time 10.00 am. Advisory notes from DFO:* * Vessel Safety; DFO was approached by the Marine Transportation Board, (Capt Raymond Mattews) after roll overs occurred concerning prawn vessels. It was noted that traps now in use are heavier, that DFO has permitted "stacking", encouraging vessels to carry more traps, and that the fishery has strict limits on the length of vessels. -NO report has been issued. A report from the Transportation Board maybe coming. *Sponge Reefs; No closures, but an advisory note to avoid these areas. 12k west of sturgeon bank in area 29-4 and off the western tip of Senanus Island in Saanich Inlet. More on this at the March 31st Sectoral Committee Meeting. Fisheries will refer these issues to "Oceans" for clarification. *Pt. Atkinson............something going on there, however I missed it. * Apex International will be represented at the 31st Meeting , as will FN negotiators, and a seat representing "Communities" * There are 251 licences. Of these 4 belong to FN communities. * Recreational fishers in Howe Sound have requested commercial closures, they are not doing as well as they would like. -"needs to be more info on recreational effort" -NO Changes Sectoral Elections are up for this fall. -Some discussion on the PPFA handling the mechanics of this election....not all in favor. -An invitation to individuals will be sent out in early July/ August, Ballots back by Oct 1st 2003? DFO is flexible. *The Humpback fishery in Rupert Harbor requires more data for management and the PSARC paper by Jim B discusses avenues for a trap fishery on Humpback. * 2002 Post Mortem Analysis....Patterns emerging. * Earlier testing after 2003 season A caucus member asked to test American Web traps given to DFO for testing. Before the traps go back to Ladner trap, industry supported the testing of such traps.(DFO did not have time to test them) The individual will apply for a scientific licence with caucus approval. A caucus member asked for the JPA to permit opening changes to the Sooke Harbor humpback fishery. The JPA will be worded to permit this type of change. DFO was asked what their position was concerning user groups. Russell M. responded that DFO manages for conservation. That user groups can or are hoped to co-exist. "fisheries can continue co-operatively" Sports fishery regulations in effect. 200 piece count per day, per person. One float for two traps, two floats on a 4 trap string. Maximum number of traps per string, 4. Caucus members underscored the lack of information concerning catch monitoring and unrelenting effort under the program of "sports fishing" Its unknown effect on berried populations throughout the winter months and the untold accumulated poundage caught during the year under an all too generous fishing plan and allowable daily catch limit. Members pointed out that the daily limit for crab is 4 for a value of approx 35 dollars, as opposed to 200 prawns valued at over 100 dollars in the marketplace. Members suggest DFO is providing a financial incentive for unlicenced commercial harvesting by permitting a 365 day per year fishery with such a daily limit. Analysis of test fishing this winter. DFO is concerned with the lack of data after the fishery and before Dec. the spawner index decline during the season is marked out at a steep slope. Many test areas are well below the SI baseline expected from the model after the fishery, toward Dec. higher mortality after the season than expected test fisheries show could have always been this way, (lack of data) revisit the spanner index ability( to provide a fishery) sport fishing effort may be greater than anticipated Areas that closed; Saanich Inlet, lower Jervis Inlet, Alberni Canal, Howe Sound and all of area 17 -DFO suggests earlier testing after the season. Joint Project Agreement................annual work plan Items to discuss...................scientific permits, project schedule and remote data transmission. DFO has found the satellite phone reporting from remote areas to be redundant. The program will not continue. Service personnel and equipment are doing the job. PPFA and DFO will discuss the wording concerning scientific permits in the JPA. Wording surrounding the SI testing will be brought back to caucus. Project schedule is on track and expected opening for the fishery is MAY 1st 2003. DFO has funds of 10,600 dollars not spent on last years fishery. These are funds contributed by fishermen for the JPA which was limited to a voluntary payment of 435 dollars from each licence held by commercial fishermen. A request for additional funding from North and Central Coast enforcement was turned down by caucus. Additional funds of some 50,000 dollars was requested. Jim Boutilier announced that due to the uncertainty surrounding the shrimp by trawl fishery (the fisheries inability to raise funds for DFO programs) two statisticians that share their time between prawns and shrimp may be axed from his department. Jim has stated that he is working very hard to save these jobs as the prawn and shrimp fishery depend on these positions to assess in season management of both fisheries. Funding traditionally available for this management was 100,000 dollars, to which the prawn fishery contributed 25,000 dollars. The issue remains in the air. PPFA reports a shortfall of 800 dollars from projected contributions. Not including 1 NSF cheque to J.O.Thomas. J.O. Thomas has refunded approx 70.00 for each licence holder from their program. Caucus voted to reduce this years JOT bill by that amount for each fisherman rather than mail back refunds. Estimated JOT bill this year, some 1500 dollars less the 70 dollars mentioned. Some caucus members voiced disapproval and deception on the part of DFO to continue with a volunteered program to finance the fishery. They stated DFO proclaimed this system would only be for one year. DFO replied that this system thus far is "as good as it gets". Some members commented that the system was very successful in that out of 251 licences there was only a shortfall of 800 dollars. This was apparently made up from a surcharge by the PPFA of 250 dollars from each candidate projected to a test fishery with the exception of Saanich Inlet were the permit was issued to the Saanich Tribal Fisheries. Some members declared that issuing scientific permits wantonly by DFO was creating a liability and an undue hardship on the caucus to deal with these issues. ( specifically the STF permit) The short answer from DFO from Russell M was [We have] "more than the commercial fishery to manage" DFO announced that there would be a treaty negotiator to explain Harvest agreements at the March 31st PSCM. The negotiator would also be available for comment. Some members questioned the time and place, and suggested private consultation. At this time DFO was asked what objectives they held for the prawn fishery. motherhood issues ie., partnership and co-management conservation and sustainability a) higher index levels b) working with First Nations c) future management considerations discussions surrounding scientific licence issue. Summary, conservation, section 35, and a viable commercial fishery, beyond conservation. (this is beyond earlier comments from DFO that conservation did not necessarily include a viable fishery) Jim B was asked by a member what number would be used for a quota managed fishery. Jim explained stock assessment as stated earlier in the PSARC paper on quota management and explained that he could not give a number. He continued to explain different management scenarios which would or could give the desired result of industries objectives ( outlined earlier and published on the list, dicussed at length during the meeting) All objectives were not adopted but most were with the exception of number 11. These will be viewed again and gone over by caucus. So, no number from DFO at this time for a quota managed fishery. DFO was asked what was caught last year. Some 30 logbooks remain uncomplete or unavailable at this time. Reminders have been sent to the parties involved. Approx 3.4 million pounds last year. One member began a discussion on quota management for the commercial fishery. A lack of detail (equal or unequal) caught the attention of some members and the discussion melded into general discussion points made during the day. Two buyers were invited to the meeting. One buyer representing the live market and the other FAS. Both stated a longer season would benefit industry (price) and buyers alike. That smaller mediums are detrimental to pricing, both in the live and frozen markets. The live buyer suggested that the market could absorb 10,000 pounds per day, that in roads to New York , Toronto, and the U.S. West Coast could be enhanced with a longer season. Glutting remains a problem in our current fishery. Frozen market pricing looks optimistic for this year with an educated guess that prices would start at least on the high paid last year. Live markets stated they are closely tied to compete with frozen pricing. Berried prawns are considered number #2 in the frozen market (poor quality) and the live buyers prefer not to have them as they are weak and die off during shipping, increasing dead loss. Live buyers commented that we are missing the tourist season with availability as the season closed early July. Frozen buyer stated other markets would be easier to access with a longer season. (other than Japan) DFO and the buyers were thanked by caucus/PPFA for their insight and attendance. Caucus continued with some unfinished business. A number of members selected by in- caucus vote will meet with the Regional Director to discuss a number of issues surrounding co-operation between industry and DFO. Some of these issues may concern DFO policy and others remain unknown. * * this informal report of the meeting is not official and may contain some unintentional errors and or omissions. It is a draft from notes taken by an individual participating in the meeting for the benefit of informing North Island Prawn Association members and other members of industry whom may be interested in the meeting substance that occurred March 14th 2003.