Summary of Prawn Sectoral Committee Meeting in Nanaimo - 15 Sept 2005 Prepared by Chris Sporer of the PPFA The following is a summary of the September 15th Prawn Sectoral Committee meeting held at the Coast Bastion Inn in Nanaimo. The meeting convened at 10:30 am and introductions were made. Several First Nations representatives were in attendance either as a Sectoral representative or as observers. There was increased representation from Nuu-chah-nuth Tribal Council (NTC) bands. In the past the Ahousat were the only NTC band in attendance; however, at the September 15th meeting the Huu-ay-aht (represented by Larry Johnson) and Tsechaht (represented by Les Sam) were also present. As the first order of business, it was noted that we did not yet have draft minutes from the last sectoral meeting and offered to take minutes for this meeting. Jim Morrison (DFO) advised he is putting together the minutes from the last meeting and would send them out shortly and said he would be responsible for the minutes for this meeting. While this may seem like an insignificant issue, there is an saying; "if you don't write it down, it never happened". If there are no minutes, it's all hearsay. The minutes are a record of the advice provided to DFO by the different representatives at the table. The next item at the meeting was a review of the 2005 commercial fishing season. Doug Tallman (JO Thomas & Associates Ltd.) provided a summary of their activates to date. The industry-funded program is in its fifth season. As you are aware, the program consists of five main components: a) distribution of trap tags; b) receipt of hails; c) ongrounds inspection of gear, vessels and records; d) collection of spawner index samples; e) collection of rockfish bycatch data. There were a total of 89,500 tags ordered. There were 218 active vessels in 2005; 35 stacked vessels and 183 single-licenced vessels so 183 single tag sets for 300 traps and 35 sets for 500 traps were initially issued. In season, seven vessels received replacement tags (the most ever in a single season). As of September 15th, four sets of replacement tags have been issued for the humpback fishery and 5 sets of replacement tags have been issued for the exploratory offshore fishery. With respect to hails, JO Thomas staff took hails during regular office hours and a call centre (Tiger UTR) took hails for all other hours. There were 846 hails taken for the 2005 season (starting in late April to the end of the fishery), which is about 25 more than for 2004. As of September 15th there have been 12 hails for the humpback fishery and the exploratory offshore fishery. For vessel inspections, in 2005 JO Thomas performed 211 inspections, which is 97% of the active fleet. For the 7 vessels that were not inspected, 3 finished fishing before they could be inspected, 3 vessels were in locations not accessible for inspections and one vessel avoided the monitor and was reported to DFO. For spawner index sampling a record 1,604 samples were collected by JO Thomas in 2005. This is slightly more than 2004. A total of 208 vessels were sampled, which represents about 95% of the active fleet. One average vessels were boarded 2 times and on average 7.7 lines of gear were sampled with each boarding. DFO augmented the sampling program to get more data for certain areas of interest (e.g., Stuart Channel). DFO completed an additional 87 samples in the south coast areas. Eleven monitors were involved in the coast wide program, 4 north of Cape Caution and 7 south of Cape Caution. A total of 500 at sea days were budgeted (180 in the north and 320 days in the south). At 59 days, the 2005 season was the shortest on record. The sea days actually expended were 479 (172 in the north and 307 days in the south). JO Thomas estimates they will be below budget in 2005 and expect the program to come in around costs similar to 2004. This means JO Thomas could be below budget by about $25,000, however, this is a very preliminary estimate. The elected industry representatives (Industry Caucus) provided their observations, and those of their members, on the 2005 season. There were a number of positive comments; overall the fishing was good and there seemed to be more prawns than last year. Prices also appeared to be higher than last year. Some concerns were expressed about double hauling and that there is suspicion about it occurring/increasing although there is no concrete proof one way or the other. It was described by one rep as "accusation vs. proof". Some reps felt electronic monitoring would address double hauling and any suspicion or accusations. Other concerns included the bait efficiency factor introduced this season, the need to better disperse the fleet and make better use of the offshore and north coast areas (shut down too early because not enough testing). It was also noted that the season is getting shorter and there is no longer a commercial presence on the grounds for most of the year. However, for the most part reps acknowledged that their members were generally happy with the 2005 season. DFO Fisheries Management staff then provided their comments on the season. For the north coast area DFO received some complaints from fishermen about vessels double hauling. DFO felt that over all northern fishermen seemed happy with the season but there were requests from some for a lower spawner index in the north. For the central/north island areas, there were some complaints about double hauling but no proof provided to DFO. Interestingly, some of these reports about double hauling were calls to DFO staff from non-commercial fishermen (e.g., eco-tourism, fish farm operators). The message here is that the public is watching the fishery closely. For the south coast the DFO staff felt stocks were good in most areas and that when areas were closed it was done in an conservative manner, partially a result of the new bait efficiency addition to the spawner index. It was noted that a higher than normal encounter of prawns was being observed in the shrimp trawl fishery and DFO staff took this as an indication that sufficient product was left on the grounds for other users (e.g., sports fishery) following the commercial prawn fishery. For Howe Sound/Indian Arm it looks as though prawn stocks were strong on the closures. There was one enforcement issue in Howe Sound with a vessel using too much gear. For the west Coast of Vancouver Island, the feeling was that overall prawn stocks may be above average; however, it was noted they may be weaker in the Barkley Sound area. DFO staff on the west coast of Vancouver Island did receive some calls about double hauling. DFO Enforcement Staff provided a summary of the season. They thanked industry for the funding and noted that such funding allows them to do their job and means that enforcement officers give attention to the prawn fishery. The majority of the enforcement funding provided by industry was spent on overtime, doing patrols outside of regular hours (e.g., because of the 7:00 am to 7:00 pm rule, fishery officers doing an investigation of double hauling have to be in place by 6:00 am and stay until after 8:00 pm; outside the normal working hours). The funding was also spent on travel and fuel & oil (about $5,700). Coastwide, 77 patrols were conducted. Forty-eight (48) occurrences were reported (meaning complaints logged with DFO), of which 17 were of double hauling. DFO investigated 9 of the 17 complaints about double hauling. From these 48 occurrences, 28 violations were recorded and charges were laid (going to court). While 28 violations may seem like a lot, DFO Enforcement staff noted that 5 people account for 16 of these violations. DFO Enforcement noted that of the 28 violations, one was for double hauling and another was for the illegal sale of prawns. For the violation involving the illegal sale of prawns, the case has already gone to court and the individual has been convicted and fined $9,000, had his truck seized and if facing a prohibition from fishing prawns for five years. DFO Enforcement was asked about compliance in the recreational fishery. They did not have any numbers for 2005, but noted there were 392 recreational "trap" charges in 2004 but could not say how may of those involved prawns as they are only recorded in the database as a trap violation. The recreational sector was then asked to provide some comment about the 2005 season. The SFAB reps started out by noting that they are not feeling as positive about the prawn fishery as the commercial sector. They expressed concern that for the last four years they have had winter closures in some important recreational areas (remember the recreational sector wants to have year round access with no closures). The SFAB reps noted they have been bringing this issue forward for a number of years and don't seem to be making any progress and perhaps they need to look at other solutions like recreational only prawn fishing areas that would be closed to commercial vessels. They also gave an example of the "derby style" recreational fishery they had this year in Stuart Channel (and to a lesser degree in Saanich Inlet) from April 1st to May 1st as recreational fishers tried to get their prawns before the commercial season started and fishing dropped off. They noted similar occurrences in the Alberni Inlet and Nootka Sound areas. The SFAB reps felt that prawn abundance was low in a number of areas in the coast (Saanich/Stuart/Barkley) and that measures need to be taken to allow them to rebuild. Many Industry Caucus members responded by saying that the recreational sector could not lay this at the feet of the commercial fishery and that the commercial sector should not be expected to bear all the costs of conservation. Some DFO managers also noted the commercial season was closed on a very conservative basis in most areas and that sufficient product was left on the grounds for other users. These DFO staff members felt the recreational sector should not just expect that it will fish year round and needs to be prepared to bear some of the conservation burden. The SFAB representatives acknowledged they are part of the problem and were willing to try to work towards a solution. The commercial fleet to suggested re-starting the discussions between the commercial and recreational fisheries to try to resolve these issues of mutual interest. First Nations were then given the opportunity to provide comments. For the most part there was a general theme about the need for all parties to work together and have constructive discussions. Some other comments from First Nations included expressing their opposition to IQs, at least until treaties were settled, as they increase the costs of buying into a fishery. One First Nations rep also commented that she thought IQs have hurt native fishermen in her community. Other comments included the need to improve DFO science, management and enforcement, and that there needs to be regional management whereby local people would be used, not one service provider (in other words, create employment for First Nations communities). Jim Morrison then provided a summary of the Industry Caucus elections. The following groups/people were elected to Caucus: BC Prawn Fishermen's Group (Mike Cullen) BC Prawn Fishermen's Group (Dan Stephens) Mid Island Prawn Group (Bob Alford) North Island Prawn Group (Tom Orr) North Island Prawn Group (Kelly Loxton) Powell River Prawn Group (Chris Marshman) Steveston Prawn Group (Paul Bevandick) Pacific Prawn Group (Rick Jerema) Pacific Prawn Group (Nathan Pearl) Prawn Fishermen Advocating Representation for Equal Opportunity (Doug Bequin) Jim advised that two groups received 15 ballots but were being excluded on a technicality as some of the ballots received for these groups were not signed. The notice to the fleet had advised that all ballots must be completely and properly filled out or they would not be counted. Jim asked for Caucus advice on this issue; should these two groups be excluded or allowed a seat on the Sectoral. The two groups were the Pro Quota Group and the Prawn Fishermen's Committee (essentially the former Bill Stefiuk Group on Caucus). Caucus members were asked to provide their advice by September 22nd. Jim also advised that no late ballots would be accepted. An update of the treaty process was provided by DFO no federal treaty negotiators were present). It was pretty thin. It sounds as though the negotiations with the Maa-nulth (5 of the 12 Nuu-chah-nulth bands on the west coast of Vancouver Island) have stalled and are on hold. There have been some discussions at the Sliammon (Powell River) table over the last month but nothing to report. Tsawwassen has been stalled for some time, apparently talks are to resume next month; however, it was noted that prawns are not part of the current Tsawwassen negotiations. The Sectoral was informed that negotiations with the Tsmishian are just starting and crab and prawns have been identified as species of interest. Jim suggested that federal treaty negotiators should come to a future Prawn Sectoral Committee meeting to provide an update on the status of treaty negotiations. DFO then provided an update of the offshore exploratory fishery. A final report of the fishery will be provided to the Prawn Sectoral Committee once the exploratory fishery is completed. Two vessels have hailed out and are currently fishing. Not surprisingly, there have been some good catches in some areas and poor catches in others. In Area 127 (off Quatsino Sound) a number of prawns infected with the silon parasite (hope that is spelled correctly) have been caught. DFO had thought this parasite was limited to the north coast only, so the question is whether it has always been in 127 or if it is migrating. DNA samples were taken for testing. The Prawn Sectoral Committee was provided with an update of the commercial industry's intent to look at trap modifications to try to reduce rockfish bycatch. The commercial sector provided a summary of the activities undertaken this summer with respect to rockfish bycatch (similar to the information in the email previously sent to PPFA Directors prior to the Sectoral meeting). The Prawn Sectoral Committee was advised that yelloweye and quillback rockfish were being considered for listing under the species at risk act (assessments are currently being done for COSEWIC). The Prawn Sectoral Committee was advised that DFO will be undertaking another round of consultations on new rockfish conservation areas in the waters inside Vancouver Island. DFO has currently protected 9% of the inshore rockfish habitat in the inside waters and will be increasing this to 30% after the next round of closures. So we are talking about some very large areas being closed to fishing. The prawn fleet currently has access to these closed areas, but needs to address its bycatch. Future management options were then discussed. Jim wanted some direction from Caucus on the single haul requirement; he put three questions to Caucus: Question 1 is, "If the fishery continues in its present format, are fishers prepared to live with the aggravation of the unfair fishing practice of double hauling, or do they want to level the playing field?" If the preference is to level the playing field, there are two means of accomplishing this. Question 2 is, "Do we remove the single haul condition of licence allowing all fishers to compete on an equal basis?" If fishers want to continue the present fishery but are aggravated by the unfair fishing practices, and don't want to remove the single haul condition of licence, Question 3 is, "Does industry want to use electronic camera monitoring to make the single haul condition more enforceable?" Caucus members are to provide their comments to DFO. The next Prawn Sectoral Committee meeting is scheduled for November 8th and there needs to be some direction on future management options by that time. With respect to the two pilot program proposals for future management options that were worked on last year Caucus members agreed to discuss this at the next Caucus meeting (September 22nd). DFO also noted that they have been getting correspondence from "citizens" of Ocean Falls (Shearwater area) requesting the harbour limits be closed to commercial prawning to leave product for local sports fishing. There were some letters to this effect last year and DFO recently received a petition signed by 40 people requesting the closure. Last year DFO tested in the area and showed that prawns were available to harvest, but letters keep coming to the Minister requesting the closure. Caucus members advised they were against such a closure because of the precedent it would set and that it sounds as though there are enough prawns available following the commercial closure. As stated the next Prawn Sectoral Committee meeting has been scheduled for November 8th and the next Caucus meeting was scheduled for September 22.