Letter From DFO to all Prawn license holders Sent 16 July 2003 Rockfish/Lingcod Sustainability Team Suite 200-401 Burrard St. Vancouver, BC V6C 3S4 July 16, 2003 Dear Prawn Harvester: Several weeks ago the Department mailed an information letter to all license holders describing the closed area strategy arid the process by which stakeholders could have input into the existing interim closed areas and new additional candidate areas. Development of the Rockfish Conservation Areas is being conducted in an open consultative manner. A link to the "Rockfish Conservation Area Consultation 2003" can be found at the following address: http:www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca These areas are closed for fin fishing and any other harvest activity that causes significant mortality to rockfish residing within the area. Prawn fishing by trap was one of the permitted activities allowed in the closed areas in 2003. However, during a recent review of bycatch associated with the permitted fisheries, the prawn trap fishery came under scrutiny. Based on information collected in 2002/2003, prawn fishing by trap will not be permitted In the Rockfish Conservation Areas. I encourage you and all prawn harvesters to comment on the location and size of the closed areas contained on the web-site. If a proposed closed area is also a high value prawn area, an alternative closed area could be suggested for further consultation and possible Implementation. The Department will also consider a further bycatch review in the prawn trap fishery if the modifications to the current traps eliminate rockfish bycatch and could be adopted fleet wide. The Department is committed to the Rockfish Sustainability Strategy but recognizes the potential impacts on other fisheries. Sustainability of your fishery is important to us. Thank you very much for your assistance. If you wish to discuss this process further, please do not hesitate to contact me at 604-666-6810. Yours truly, Gary Logan Rockfish/Lingcod Team Leader