Pacific Region Integrated Fisheries Management Plan
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PACIFIC REGION INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN RED SEA URCHIN AUGUST 1, 2020 TO JULY 31, 2021 Red Sea Urchin: Mesocentrotus franciscanus 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 Red Sea Urchin 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 which 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. 2020/21 Red Sea Urchin Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 2 of 35 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 5 1.2. History ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.3. Type of Fishery and Participants ............................................................................. 5 1.4. Location of Fishery ................................................................................................. 6 1.5. Fishery Characteristics ............................................................................................ 6 1.6. Governance .............................................................................................................. 7 1.7. Approval Process ..................................................................................................... 8 2. STOCK ASSESSMENT, SCIENCE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE .................. 8 2.1. Biological Synopsis ................................................................................................. 8 2.2. Ecosystem Interactions ............................................................................................ 9 2.3. Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge/Traditional Ecological Knowledge ................. 9 2.4. Stock Assessment .................................................................................................. 10 2.5. Stock Scenarios ..................................................................................................... 10 2.6. Precautionary Approach ........................................................................................ 10 2.7. Research ................................................................................................................ 12 3. ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE FISHERY .................................................................... 12 3.1. First Nations .......................................................................................................... 13 3.2. Recreational ........................................................................................................... 13 3.3. Commercial ........................................................................................................... 13 4. MANAGEMENT ISSUES ................................................................................................ 17 4.1. Conservation and Sustainability ............................................................................ 17 4.2. Social, Cultural and Economic .............................................................................. 19 4.3. Compliance ............................................................................................................ 19 4.4. Ecosystem .............................................................................................................. 19 4.5. Oceans Management ............................................................................................. 20 4.6. Gear Impacts ......................................................................................................... 23 5. OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................... 23 5.1. National ................................................................................................................. 23 5.2. Pacific Region ....................................................................................................... 23 5.3. Invertebrate Resource Management ...................................................................... 24 5.4. Red Sea Urchin ...................................................................................................... 25 6. ACCESS AND ALLOCATION ....................................................................................... 26 6.1. First Nations .......................................................................................................... 26 6.2. Recreational ........................................................................................................... 26 6.3. Commercial ........................................................................................................... 26 6.4. Experimental, Scientific, Educational or Public Display ...................................... 27 6.5. Request for Access ................................................................................................ 27 7. MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE DURATION OF THE PLAN ...................... 27 8. SHARED STEWARDSHIP ARRANGEMENTS ............................................................ 27 8.1. Commercial Fishery .............................................................................................. 27 8.2. Fisheries and Oceans Canada ................................................................................ 28 2020/21 Red Sea Urchin Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 3 of 35 9. COMPLIANCE PLAN ..................................................................................................... 28 9.1. Enforcement Issues and Strategies ........................................................................ 28 10. PERFORMANCE REVIEW ............................................................................................. 30 10.1. Stock Assessment and Research ........................................................................... 30 10.2. First Nations Fishery ............................................................................................. 30 10.3. Recreational Fishery .............................................................................................. 30 10.4. Commercial Fishery .............................................................................................. 30 10.5. Compliance ............................................................................................................ 31 11. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 31 12. GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................... 32 ATTACHMENTS Appendix 1: Red Sea Urchin Commercial Harvest Plan Appendix 2: Red Sea Urchin First Nations Harvest Plan Appendix 3: Red Sea Urchin Recreational Harvest Plan Appendix 4: Red Sea Urchin Aquaculture Management Measures Appendix 5: Post Season Review Appendix 6: Management Measures for the Commercial Fishery Appendix 7: Information on Estimating Total Allowable Catch Appendix 8: Size Limit Appendix 9: Example of a Red Sea Urchin Harvest Log Appendix 10: Red Sea Urchin Quota Area Descriptions Appendix 11: Example of Red Sea Urchin Conditions of Licence Appendix 12: Fishing Vessel Safety Appendix 13: Consultation Appendix 14: Contacts Appendix 15: Map of Gwaii Haanas Closures 2020/21 Red Sea Urchin Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 4 of 35 1. OVERVIEW 1.1. Introduction The 2020/2021 Pacific Region Red Sea Urchin Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) encompasses the period of August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The Red Sea Urchin Commercial Harvest Plan is attached as Appendix 1 to this IFMP. Commercial harvesters are advised to review the attachments for harvest information. 1.2. History The Red Sea Urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus, formerly Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) is one of three sea urchin species harvested in British Columbia. Red and Green Sea Urchins are fished commercially under