02 January, 2002 DFO update Fishery Notice Fisheries & Oceans Canada Recreational Prawn Fishery Closures Announced The exact locations of the closures can be found at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/shellfish/Prawn/default.htm Prawn spawner index information collected in scientific surveys from November and early December has been reviewed and closures of some recreational prawn and shrimp trap fishery areas hav been decided. A total of 8 areas have been tested for spawner index this fall. Six areas have reduced numbers of adult female spawners that warrant protective measures for conservation purposes, for the remainder of the egg bearing period. Closures until the end of March are recommended for Saanich Inlet, Stuart Channel, Howe Sound, areas near Pender Harbour, areas east of Quadra Island near Campbell River, and Alberni Canal. In addition, weekend only fishing has been recommended for Hoskyn Channel on the east shore of Quadra Island. The proposed closures are in agreement with Section 11.1 of the IFMP which states that "(recreational) closures will be announced if testing indicates that spawner index levels are at or below the baseline spawner index...". The spawner index is a standardized measure of the average number of female prawns carrying eggs, caught by a standard trap in a 24 hour soak. The target index for November when the sampling took place, is 3.5 female prawns per trap. Average numbers of berried female prawns greater than this mean that there is a harvestable surplus. Averages equal to or less than this indicate that closures are warranted. In the Fraser Area, the closure of Howe Sound, Areas 28-1 to 28-5 has been recommended. The Stock Assessment Division of the Pacific Biological Station sampled a total of 39 strings of gear. The average spawner index abundance was slightly less than the target index for this time of year. Although several subareas slightly exceeded the target index, the recommendation is that all of Howe Sound should be closed to provide larval recruitment to adjacent areas which presently have low abundance. In Saanich Inlet, 28 strings of gear were sampled. Results were mixed with both high and low values. The overall the pattern was one of localized stock depletions. Protection of the remaining adult female spawning stock is recommended in Subareas 19-7 to 19-12. In Stuart Channel, 20 strings of gear were sampled. All areas tested had low spawner index values. Subareas 17-5, 17-6, 17-7 and 17-9 are recommended for closure. On the Sunshine Coast near Pender Harbour, from Nelson Island to Halfmoon Bay, 29 strings of gear were sampled in scientific licence surveys. Low spawner index values were found in 16-1 and 16-17, near Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove, and in the waters from the mouth of Pender Harbour to Nelson Island. Spawner index values were considered to be sufficient in Subarea 16-2, the waters between Halfmoon Bay and the entrance to Pender Harbour. In Alberni Canal, 30 strings of prawn gear were sampled. Low spawner index values were noted in Subareas 23-1. Index values in 23-2 showed a mixed pattern of good and poor values, suggesting localized depletions. Closure of 23-1 and 23-2 in the upper Alberni Canal was recommended. In Area 13, Subareas 1 and 12 to 17, east of Quadra Island, 36 strings of gear were sampled. Average spawner index values in Subareas 13-1 and 13-14 to 13-17 were less than the target index and closures were recommended. Subareas 13-12 and 13-13 which include Hoskyn Channel, had spawner index values sufficient for continued recreational fishing opportunity. However, reduced fishing effort is recommended, both to protect these stocks from gear displaced by closures in adjacent areas, and to provide for larval dispersal to adjacent areas of low stock abundance. Some areas that were tested in the assessment program had stocks of sufficient spawner strength that closures are not warranted at this time. This includes coastal waters near Nanaimo, and in Salmon and Sechelt Inlets on the Sunshine Coast. What areas are being closed? Saanich Inlet, near Victoria, Pacific Fishery Management Area 19-7 to 19-12; Stuart Channel from Ladysmith to Crofton, Areas 17-5, 17-6, 17-7 and 17-9; Howe Sound, Areas 28-1 to 28-5; Secret Cove and Halfmoon Bay, Area 16-1; and Pender Hbr. to Nelson Island, Area 16-17; Alberni Canal, Areas 23-1 and 23-2; Waters near Quadra Island, Campbell River, Areas 13-1, and 13-14 to 13-17. Some areas adjacent to Quadra Island, may only be fished Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Areas 13-12 and 13-13. Where can I get a map of the Areas being closed? Fishery Notices with maps will be distributed. Maps of management areas are available at DFO offices. Maps of the management areas are also available on the internet, at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/Areas/areamap.htm When will the areas close? Closures will take effect midnight Sunday January 6, 2002. What if there's a storm and I can't get my gear out of the water? Call your local Fishery Office and make arrangements to remove your gear as soon as possible. If you are removing gear after the close date, you will be required to release the catch. How long will the areas be closed? Until April 1, 2002. Why are the areas being closed? Scientific licence sampling in these areas has established that there are low numbers of female prawns carrying eggs. The closure will allow the remaining adult females to complete their spawning cycle. Is this a conservation concern? Yes, for a few areas. Other coastal areas which have been checked this fall and winter have enough egg carrying female prawns. How can the fishery recommence in April if this is a conservation concern? There is no concern once the adult females have finished the incubation period and the larvae have hatched out of the eggs. Sampling has shown that there are large numbers of maturing prawns that will be available for fishing in April. When is the commercial fishery? The commercial prawn fishery commences May 1. Will the commercial fishery affect conservation? Upcoming stocks are abundant. The commercial fishery also pays for 11 patrol vessels that undertake sampling throughout the fishery to ensure that the stocks are not overfished. What is the spawner index? The spawner index is a measure of the average number of female prawns caught in a standard size trap in a 24 hour period. How valuable is the prawn fishery? The most recent year of records for comparison purposes is 1999. That year, prawns were the 7th most valuable commercial fishery on the B.C. coast, and the 3rd most valuable invertebrate fishery after geoducks and crabs. It had a landed value in excess of $20 M. This does not include First Nation or recreational fishing values which are significant, but not assessed in monetary terms. How big is the recreational fishery? The recreational fishery effort has increased in recent years due to reduced recreational fishing opportunities for salmon and groundfish, and the removal of regulations limiting the use of electric and hydraulic trap haulers. Recreational fishing is growing quickly near coastal communities. There is no estimate of the numbers of fishers involved in recreational fishing. However in some areas, 100's of traps may be set. Where can I get additional information about prawns? Additional general prawn information is available on the Fisheries and Oceans web site at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/shellfish/prawn/default.htm Why were these areas closed? Other nearby areas are also fished extensively for prawns. This winter the Department had prawn surveys in 8 coastal areas. The Department has only acted where it was considered to be necessary based on results of the studies. What happens to gear pulled out of the water by Fishery Officers? The prawns in the traps are released. The gear is taken back to the local fishery office where it may be picked up. If the identification on the buoy includes a telephone number, then the owner is contacted.