Pacific Region Integrated Fisheries Management Plan, Crab by Trap, April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022
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PACIFIC REGION INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN CRAB BY TRAP APRIL 1, 2021 TO MARCH 31, 2022 Dungeness crab: Cancer magister This Integrated Fisheries Management Plan is intended for general purposes only. Where there is a discrepancy between the Plan and the Fisheries Act and Regulations, the Act and Regulations are the final authority. A description of Areas and Subareas referenced in this Plan can be found in the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations. FOREWORD The purpose of this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) is to identify the main objectives and requirements for the Crab by Trap fishery in the Pacific Region, as well as the management measures that will be used to achieve these objectives. This document also serves to communicate the basic information on the fishery and its management to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) staff, legislated co-management boards, and other stakeholders. This IFMP provides a common understanding of the basic “rules” for the sustainable management of the fisheries resource. This IFMP is not a legally binding instrument that can form the basis of a legal challenge. The IFMP can be modified at any time and does not fetter the Minister's discretionary powers set out in the Fisheries Act. The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify any provision of the IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act. Where DFO is responsible for implementing obligations under land claims agreements, the IFMP will be implemented in a manner consistent with these obligations. In the event that an IFMP is inconsistent with obligations under land claims agreements, the provisions of the land claims agreements will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. 2021/22 Crab Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 2 of 59 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 History ................................................................................................................................ 6 1.3 Type of Fishery and Participants ........................................................................................ 7 1.4 Location of Fishery ............................................................................................................. 9 1.5 Fishery Characteristics ........................................................................................................ 9 1.6 Governance ....................................................................................................................... 10 1.7 Consultation ...................................................................................................................... 12 1.8 Approval Process .............................................................................................................. 13 2 STOCK ASSESSMENT AND SCIENCE ....................................................................................... 13 2.1 Biological Synopsis for Dungeness Crab ......................................................................... 13 2.2 Ecosystem Interactions for Dungeness Crab .................................................................... 14 2.3 Stock Assessment & Research .......................................................................................... 15 2.4 Stock Scenarios ................................................................................................................. 15 2.5 Precautionary Approach.................................................................................................... 16 3 INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE ....................................................................................................... 17 4 ECONOMICS OF THE FISHERY .................................................................................................. 17 4.1 Commercial ....................................................................................................................... 17 4.2 Recreational ...................................................................................................................... 23 4.3 First Nations ...................................................................................................................... 25 4.4 Indigenous Fisheries Programs ......................................................................................... 25 5 MANAGEMENT ISSUES ............................................................................................................... 26 5.1 Conservation and Sustainability ....................................................................................... 26 5.2 Social, Cultural and Economic Issues ............................................................................... 27 5.3 Compliance ....................................................................................................................... 29 5.4 Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting ......................................................................... 29 6 OBJECTIVES................................................................................................................................... 31 2021/22 Crab Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 3 of 59 6.1 National Objectives ........................................................................................................... 31 6.2 Pacific Region Objectives ................................................................................................. 31 6.3 Crab by Trap Objectives ................................................................................................... 31 6.4 Compliance Objectives ..................................................................................................... 34 6.5 Ecosystem Objectives ....................................................................................................... 35 6.6 Other Species Concerns .................................................................................................... 35 6.7 Oceans and Habitat Considerations .................................................................................. 38 6.8 Other Marine Conservation Initiatives .............................................................................. 46 7 ACCESS AND ALLOCATION ....................................................................................................... 47 7.1 First Nations Access ......................................................................................................... 47 7.2 Recreational Access .......................................................................................................... 47 7.3 Commercial Access .......................................................................................................... 47 7.4 Experimental, Scientific, Educational or Public Display .................................................. 47 8 MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE DURATION OF THE PLAN ..................................... 48 9 SHARED STEWARDSHIP ARRANGEMENTS ........................................................................... 48 9.1 Commercial ....................................................................................................................... 48 9.2 Fisheries and Oceans Canada............................................................................................ 48 10 COMPLIANCE PLAN ..................................................................................................................... 48 10.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................... 48 10.2 Main Program Activities ................................................................................................... 49 10.3 Enforcement Issues and Strategies.................................................................................... 50 11 POST-SEASON REVIEW ............................................................................................................... 52 11.1 Conservation and Sustainability ....................................................................................... 52 12 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................. 53 13 INTERNET SITES ........................................................................................................................... 55 14 GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................................... 55 2021/22 Crab Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 4 of 59 Appendix 1 First Nations Harvest Plan Appendix 2 Recreational Harvest Plan Appendix 3 Commercial Harvest Plan Appendix 4 Safety at Sea Appendix 5 Example of Harvest Log Example Appendix 6 Diagrams: Soft-shell & Rot Cord Appendix 7 Maps: Licence Areas, Restricted Areas, Area A Soft-shell Management Areas Appendix 8 Contacts Appendix 9 Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting Requirements Appendix 10 Area A Soft Shell Sampling Program Guidelines Appendix 11 Gwaii Haanas Closure Map Appendix 12 Fishery Monitoring & Catch Reporting Recreational Risk Assessment Tool 2021/22 Crab Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page