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PACIFIC REGION

1992 MANAGEMENT PLAN

CRAB

Fisheries Peches and Oceans et Oceans Canada 2 1992 CRAB MANAGEMENT PLAN

A. Dungeness, Red Rock, & Graceful Crab

1. Licensing 2. Gear 3. Area Closures 4. Minimum Size Limit 5. Non-retention of Female Crab 6. Catch & Fishing Data 7. Softshell Information

B. Red King, Brown King Crab

See Section A.

For further information contact: a) Shellfish Information Recording - Coastwide 666-1509 (Vancouver) (Updated Openings/Closures) - South Coast 756-7021 (Nanaimo) b) Local District or Sub-District Office c) Management Biology Offices

North Coast - Areas 1 to 10 Fraser River - Areas 28 & 29 Dept. Fisheries & Oceans Dept. Fisheries & Oceans North Coast Division Fraser River Division 202 - 417 2nd Avenue, 610 Derwent Way, Annacis Isl. Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 1G8 New Westminster, B.C. V3L 5B3

Phone: 624-0464 Phone: 666-6390 Contact: Greg Thomas Contact: Marilyn Joyce

South Coast Dept. Fisheries & Oceans South Coast Division 3225 Stephenson Point Rd. Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 1K3

Phone: 756-7271 Contact: Steve Heizer

CRAB. PLN December 9. 1991 3

SHELLFISH - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To ensure conservation and protection of shellfish stocks coastwide through the application of sound management principles.

2. To ensure the optimal use of shellfish stocks in order to meet social and economic objectives of the people of Canada.

3. To develop fishing plans consistent with principles of conservation through a consultative process with users of the resource.

4. To preserve, enhance, and protect critical aquatic habitat for shellfish production.

5. To optimize the quality of shellfish harvested.

HISTORY OF THE FISHERY

Dungeness crab is the species most frequently exploited in B.C., though there are minor commercial fisheries for King Crab and an exploratory fishery for Tanner Crab. The first record of commercial fishing in was in 1885. According to early reports, fishing began near the population centres of Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo. Later, fishing operations spread to the west coast of Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands. In the late 1930's in the Queen Charlottes, and in the early 1950's in the south, fishermen began using stainless steel circular traps (1 m diameter, 0.3 m deep), a style that is still in use today. Landings increased and during the last three decades, annual landings for the whole coast have ranged from 1200 to 2400 t.

Management of the Dungeness crab fishery utilizes a minimum carapace width size limit, along with some supportive restrictions involving area licensing, gear usage, trap modifications, and local fishery closures. The biological rationale for the size limit is protection of male crabs for one year after they reach sexual maturity. Little further expansion of the fishery is foreseen, since stocks are now fully exploited.

CRAB.PLN December 9, 1991

4 1992 CRAB MANAGEMENT PLAN

DUNGENESS CRAB, RED ROCK CRAB, GRACEFUL CRAB, KING CRAB (RED AND BROWN)

1. LICENSING:

A category "R" licence is required. Vessel owners must select one of the following fishing locations:

A. Queen Charlotte Islands: Areas 1, 2, 101-7, 101-10, 102-1, 104-1 to 104-5, and 105-1.

B. North Coast Mainland: Areas 3 to 10.

C. South Coast Mainland and East Coast Vancouver Island: Areas 11 to 19 and 29- 5.

D. Fraser River: Areas 28 and 29, excluding sub-area 29-5.

E. West Coast Vancouver Island: Areas 20 to 27, 121-1, 121-2, 124-1, 124-3.

All licenced fishing locations include the following offshore areas and sub-areas: 101-1 to 101-6; 101-8; 101-9; 102-2; 102-3; 105-2; 106 to 111; 121-3; 124-2; 124-4; 125 to 127; 130 and 142.

2. GEAR:

MOD. 1992 a. All crab traps must be fitted with the following escapement mechanisms:

i. Rigid frame traps with hinged lids: No person shall fish with rigid framed traps with hinged lids, unless the trap lid is secured by a loop of no greater than #120 untreated cotton twine (3 bundles each of which is constructed of 14 strands) such that the trap lid will open freely when the rot cord is broken. The rot cord must be attached to the rubber strap by a cow hitch and attached to the hook by a cow hitch as per the attached illustration. If the hook is attached permanently to the trap, the trap lid shall close using a single loop of the rot cord from the rubber strap.

ii. All other traps without hinged lids: No person shall use a non-hinged lid trap, unless it has a section in a side wall or panel that has been laced, sewn or

CRAB.PLN December 9, 1991 5 otherwise secured by a single strand of no greater than #120 untreated cotton twine (3 bundles each of which is constructed of 14 strands) that on deterioration or parting produces in the wall or panel an opening that is sufficiently large to permit a cube, each side of which is 20 cm in length, to be inserted freely in that opening.

NOTE) Please note that the rot cord size has been changed for 1992 to reduce the inconvenience of premature rotting. Studies will continue during 1992 and as a result, the size of the rot cord required may change for 1993. These biodegradable trap modifications should minimize the effects of ghost fishing by traps.

(NEW 1992) ii. Legislation, is expected in the spring of 1992, providing that all traps must be fitted with two circular escape ports of 110 mm in diameter located no more than 10 cm below the top frame of the trap. This new regulation will be actively enforced.

b. Buoy & Trap Lines:

i) Licence Areas A.C.D.E: All buoy lines must be non-floating so that the lines remain below the surface of the water in order to minimize navigational hazards.

ii) Licence Area B: All lines (buoy and trap) must be non-floating so that the lines remain below the surface of the water in order to minimize navigational Wards.

c. Standard Buoy Marking: The vessel licence number must be painted or otherwise affixed to each buoy, such that it is visible at all times without raising the gear from the water. The vessel registration number (CFV) shall be in solid block Arabic numerals, without ornamentation, not less than 75 mm in height and in a colour that contrasts with their background.

(NEW 1992) d. Buoys: All buoys used for the marking of crab fishing gear must remain floating on the surface of the water and be adequately visible to pose no navigational hazard. The use of utility cans, bleach bottles, or other domestic containers is unacceptable.

e. Tofino Trap Limits: (Subareas 24-4, -6, -8, -9, -11) There shall be no more than 125 traps in total fished in sub-areas 24-4, -6, -8, -9, -11 by each vessel licensed for this area. Each vessel operator must register at the Tofino fisheries office, prior to commencing any fishing, one unique buoy colour combination

CRAB.PLN PC10- DISK 12 December 10, 1991 6 (photo required) and may only fish the above sub-areas with the registered buoy colour combination.

A buoy must be attached to each and every trap fished in this area.

3. AREA CLOSURES

Queen Charlotte Islands:

Naden Hbr. (Sub-area 1-4) closed May 1 to September 30 due to softshell; ring fishery only.

McIntyre Bay (portion of sub-area 1-5 west of Skonum Pt., 101-7, and 101-10) closed July 1 to Sept. 21 due to softshell.

Portion of Area 2 including sub-areas 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, and 2-63 to 2-67 and 2-77 closed all year as an allocation to sport and native harvest.

North Coast Mainland:

Nass Estuary (portion of sub-area 3-12 north of a line commencing at Ramsden Pt. to a boundary sign 3 nautical miles SW of Arrandale on Mylor Peninsula and south of a line from Nass Pt. due west to a boundary sign on the opposite mainland shore, and west of a line from a boundary sign - on Double Islet to a boundary sign on the government dock at Kincolith; and the portion of sub-area 3-12 outside of a 0.5 mile ribbon boundary from Nass Pt. to Fort Pt.) closed Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 and closed all year that portion of sub-area 3-12 inside a .5 mile ribbon boundary from Nass Pt. to Fort Point as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery.

Iceberg Bay (sub-area 3-18) closed Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery.

That portion 4-8 shoreward of a straight line between Shattock Point, Big Bay and Simpson Point.

That portion of 4-9 encompassing the waters bounded on the north by a straight line between Ryan Point and Chapman Point and on the south by a straight line between Observation Point and Doolan Point closed Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery.

CRAB.PLN PC10- DISK 12 December 10, 1991 7 That portion of 4-9 encompassing the waters bounded on the north by a straight line between Observation Point and Doolan Point and on the south by a straight line between Straith Point and Dawes Point closed Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery.

Prince Rupert Hbr. (sub-area 4-10) closed all year as an allocation to Indian Food Fishery and Sport Harvest.

Morse Basin, Wainwright Basin, Porpoise Hbr. (sub-area 4-11) closed all year. Wainwright Basin and Porpoise Hbr. remain closed because of dioxin contamination: Morse Basin is closed as an allocation to Indian Food Fishery and Sport Harvest.

West of Ridley Isl. (portion of sub-area 4-12 encompassed by a line from the coal terminal dock on the west side of Ridley Isl. SW to the Green Bell Can Buoy #D43 at Georgia Rock, then SE to Green Can Buoy #D35 at the entrance of Porpoise Ch., then north to the southern tip of Ridley Isl.) closed all year because of dioxin contamination.

Kitkatla Village - Billy Bay (sub-area 5-3 and 5-10) closed all year as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery. (Revised 1992)

Kitimat Arm (sub-area 6-1) closed all year as an allocation to Indian Food Fishery and Sport Harvest. That portion of Sub-area 6-1 north of a straight line across the Kitimat Arm from the Kuaste Indian Reserve through the northerly tip of Coste Island to the opposite shore because of dioxin contamination.

Douglas Channel (sub-area 6-2), closed Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery. (Revised 1992)

Portions of Area 6 including subareas 6-3 and 6-4 closed Jan. 1 to Sept. 8 as an allocation to Sport Harvest; subarea 6-23 closed Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 as an allocation to the Indian food fishery. (Revised 1992)

Kynoch Inlet (sub-area 7-11) closed year round as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery.

CRAB.PLN December 9, 1991 8 Portions of Area 7 including sub-areas 7-6, 7-10, 7-13, 7-14, 7-15, 7-16, and 7-17 closed Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery and Sport Harvest.

Portions of Area 8 including sub-areas 8-3, 8-7, and 8-13 closed all year as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery and Sport Harvest.

Portions of Area 9 including sub-areas 9-2, 9-3, 9-4, and 9-10 closed Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 as an allocation to the Indian Food Fishery and Sport Harvest.

South Coast Mainland and East Coast Vancouver Island:

Nimpkish R. Estuary (sub-area 12-19) closed all year as an allocation to Indian Food Fishery and Sport Harvest.

Discovery Passage (sub-area 13-4, 13-5 and all of 13-3 except those water of Menzies Bay lying westerly of a line from Huntingford Point north to Wilfred Point closed because of dioxin contamination).

Powell River (sub-area 15-2 and that portion of sub-area 15-1 east of a line from the navigation light on the breakwater at the Westview Dock to the most easterly point of Harwood Island) closed because of dioxin contamination.

Stuart Channel (sub-area 17-9) and those portions of 17-6 and 17-7 bounded by a line from Sharpe Point on Vancouver Island, thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point of Vancouver Island 230° true from Sharpe Point, thence southerly along the shore of Vancouver Island to Bare Point, thence following the sub-area 17-9 northern boundary to Parminter Point on Saltspring island, thence to Josling Point on Kuper Island, thence to northerly along the western shore of Kuper Island to Dockele Point, thence to the point at the southeastern entrance to Preedy Harbour on , thence to the most southern point of Dayman Island, thence to the most southern point of Scott Island thence westerly to the point of commencement. Closed all year because of dioxin contamination.

Northumberaland Channel (sub-areas 17-15 and 17-16 and that portion of sub-area 17-13 south of a line between McKay Point on Newcastle Island and the northwest point at the entrance to Clark Bay on , and those portions of 17-4 and 17-17 north of a line from Reynolds Point on Vancouver Island to the most southern point of Link Island thence in a straight line 50° true from the most southern point of Link Island to a point on Gabriola Island. Closed all year because of dioxin contamination.

CRAB.PLN December 9, 1991 9 Burgoyne Bay (portion of sub-area 18-7 east of a line true north from Bold Bluff Point to the opposite shore) because of dioxin contamination.

Cowichan Bay (sub-area 18-8) west of a line from Separation Point to Querry Point, closed all year because of dioxin contamination.

Fulford Hbr. (sub-area 18-10) closed all year as an allocation to Sport Harvest.

Sidney Spit (sub-area 19-6) closed all year as an allocation to Sport Harvest.

Saanichton Bay (a portion of sub-area 19-5 inside a line drawn between Saanichton Spit and Turgoose Point) closed all year as an allocation to Native food fish requirements.

Fraser River:

Areas 28 and 29, excluding sub-area 29-5, closed Jan. 1 to July 16 (0800 hrs) due to softshell and conservation of the stock.

Howe Sound (sub-areas 28-1 to 28-5) closed all year because of dioxin contamination.

Burrard Inlet (sub-areas 28-8 and 28-10) closed all year because of a navigational hazard.

West Coast Vancouver Island:

Alberni Inlet (sub-area 23-1) closed all year because of navigational hazard and an allocation to Sport Harvest.

Clayoquot Snd. (Area 24) - In-season softshell closures may be implemented at the advice of local advisors. Contact the subdistrict office in Tofino for close times.

Muchalat Inlet (sub-area 25-1) closed all year because of dioxin contamination.

4. MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT

By regulation, the minimum size limit for Dungeness Crab is 165 mm and for Red Rock Crab is 115 mm, measured through the greatest breadth of the carapace.

CRAB.PLN December 9, 1991 10 Undersized crab must be returned to the water immediately upon capture in the area of capture. This is to minimize mortalities on the undersize stock.

(NOTE) The department is concerned about reports of large illegal harvests of undersized crab in certain areas. As this would pose a serious conservation concern, the Department may implement early closures in specific areas if this problem should occur in 1992.

5. NON-RETENTION OF FEMALES:

a. Every person engaged in fishing for crabs shall immediately return all female crabs to the water from the location which they were caught.

b. By regulation female King Crab cannot be retained unless the crab is infected by the parasite Briarosaccus callosus.

6. CATCH AND FISHING DATA

a. Harvest Logs: The master of the vessel is responsible for the provision and maintenance of an accurate and true log of daily harvest operations in the logbook authorized for 1992 by the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans. This log must be completed on a daily basis when fishing and be accompanied by a chart record of locations fished.

The harvest log must be kept aboard the licensed vessel when crabs are being harvested or when crabs are on board. Logbooks must be produced for examination by a fishery officer or guardian.

One copy of the harvest log and chart record must be forwarded each month to: Shellfish Stock Assessment Pacific Biological Station Hammond Bay Road Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5K6

b. Sales Slips: It is a condition of this licence that a true return shall be furnished in writing, of all fish caught under the authority of this licence. The true return shall be posted no later than seven (7) days after the off loading and sent to:

CRAB.PLN December 9, 1991 11 Department of Fisheries and Oceans Statistics Division Stn. 400, 555 W. Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5G3

c. Export Requirements: It is a condition of this licence that any crab exported directly to the U.S. must be hailed to 666-6407, indicating amount of catch, location caught, U.S. destination and expected time of export. In addition, all catch exported directly to the U.S. must meet the above harvest log and sales slips requirements.

7. SOFTSHELL CRABS:

It is recommended that all vessel operators carefully release soft shell crab and avoid fishing during soft shell periods in order to minimize damage to crab populations and to maximize the landed value of harvested product. Inseason closures may be implemented in locations in which a high incidence of soft shell is observed in the harvest.

CRAB.PLN December 9, 1991 12 CRAB SECTORAL COMMITTEE

Prince Rupert Fishermens Co-ou Fraser R. Crab Advisory Committee Bob Jongewaard (Chairman) Gary Bishop P.O. Box 520 204 - 12071 1st Avenue Prince Rupert, B.C. Richmond, B.C. V8J 3B5 Tel: 624-2146 V7E 3M1 Tel: 275-9385

U.F.A.W.0 Tofino Crab Association Mike McGee (Past Chairman) Ken Barr 313-141 E. 6th Street Box 105 North Vancouver, B.C. Tofino, B.C. V7L 1P1 Tel: 986-8185 VOR 2Z0 Tel: 725-3457

Heath Graham (Alternate) Queen Charlotte Crab Fishery Assoc. Box 42 Robert Wyle (Alternate Chairman) , B.C. P.O. Box 98 VON 2J0 Masset, B.C. VOT IMO Dunc Shields 3746 St. Andrews Street Crab Processors (Interim) North Vancouver, B.C. Greg Nelsen V7N 2A6 Tel: 985-6371 Token Seafoods Ltd 12411 Vulcan Way E. Scotty Neish (Alternate) Richmond, B.C. 2409 Currie Road V6V 1J7 Victoria, B.C. V8J 3B5 Min. of Agriculture & Fisheries Larry Neilson Pacific Trollers Assoc. 808 Douglas Street Henry Heggelund Victoria, B.C. Box 476 V8W 2Z7 Tel: 387-9565 Sooke, B.C. VOS 1NO Tel: 642-3316 Department of Fisheries & Oceans

Mike Bazilli (Alternate) Marilyn Joyce Contact Person Box 272 610 Derwent Way Masset, B.C. Annacis Island VOT IMO New Westminster, B.C. V3M 5P8 Tel: 666-6390 North Coast Crab Advisory Comm. Trevor Griffiths Frances Dickson P.O. Box 810 Shellfish Coordinator 555 W. Hastings Street Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 3Y1 Tel: 624-5284 Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5G3 Tel: 666-0519

CRAB.PLN December 9. 1991 Fisheries Peches and Oceans et Oceans

Pacific Region Region du Pacifigue Suite 400 - 555 West Hastings St. Piece 400 - 555 rue Hastings ouest Vancouver. B C. Vancouver (C.-B.)

V6B 5G3 V6B 5G3 Your 'lie Votre reference

Our file Notre reference

December 12, 1991

NOTICE TO INDUSTRY

CRAB 'R' LICENCE HOLDERS

Crab fishermen and trap manufacturers are reminded that a new regulation concerning the size and number of escape holes in crab traps is expected to be passed by the spring of 1992. All crab traps must be fitted with two escape holes of at least 110 mm in diameter that are not more than 100 mm below the top frame of the trap. Fishermen will be advised at the time it is passed and enforcement action will follow.

Canada