PACIFIC REGION INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN INTERTIDAL CLAMS JANUARY 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2003 Manila Clam (Venerupis philippinarum) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. GLOSSARY..................................................................................................................................... 3 2. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................ 4 2.1. Shellfish Guiding Principles:........................................................................................ 5 3. BIOLOGICAL SYNOPSIS.............................................................................................................. 5 4. OVERVIEW OF THE FISHERY.................................................................................................... 6 4.1. Participants................................................................................................................... 7 4.2. Location of the Fishery................................................................................................. 7 4.3. Time Frame of Fisheries............................................................................................... 9 4.4. Landings, Values and Markets..................................................................................... 9 4.5. Consultative Process................................................................................................... 10 4.6. Management Style ...................................................................................................... 12 4.6.1. Recreational Fishery................................................................................ 12 4.6.2. Aboriginal Fishery................................................................................... 12 4.6.3. Commercial Fishery................................................................................ 13 4.7. Conservation or Planning Initiatives.......................................................................... 15 4.7.1. Oceans Strategy....................................................................................... 15 4.7.2. The Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations..... 16 4.7.3. Selective Fishing...................................................................................... 17 4.7.4 Pacific Rim National Park....................................................................... 17 4.7.5. Treaty Negotiations................................................................................. 17 4.8. Aquaculture ................................................................................................................ 18 4.9. Policy.......................................................................................................................... 18 4.9.1. Clam Management Reform..................................................................... 18 4.9.2. Guidelines for Harvest of Intertidal Clams from Contaminated Areas.. 18 4.9.3. Proposed Pacific Region Interim Operating Guidelines Regarding Access to Shellfish for Aboriginal Harvesting................................................. 19 4.9.4. Proposed Pacific Region Interim Operating Guidelines Regarding Access to Shellfish for Recreational Harvesting........................................................... 19 4.9.5. Draft Pacific Region Policy on the Culture of Marine Invertebrates...... 19 4.9.6. Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program................................................... 19 5. STOCK STATUS........................................................................................................................... 19 5.1. Biology, Environment and Habitat............................................................................. 19 5.2. Assessment................................................................................................................. 20 5.3. Research..................................................................................................................... 21 6. CURRENT MANAGEMENT ISSUES ......................................................................................... 21 6.1. Uncertain Stock Levels............................................................................................... 21 6.2. Community Management Boards............................................................................... 21 6.3. Enforcement Capacity................................................................................................ 21 6.4. Lost Harvest Opportunities........................................................................................ 22 6.5. Viability of Commercial Fishery................................................................................ 22 6.6. Catch Reporting.......................................................................................................... 22 6.7. Shellfish Biotoxin and Sanitation Monitoring Programs ........................................... 22 6.8. Aquaculture Development.......................................................................................... 23 6.9. Varnish Clam.............................................................................................................. 23 2001/2003 Intertidal Clam Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 1 of 33 TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED 7. LONG TERM OBJECTIVES FOR THE FISHERY..................................................................... 23 8. SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES................................................................................. 24 8.1. Conservation and Sustainability................................................................................. 24 8.2. Domestic Considerations............................................................................................ 24 8.2.1. Aboriginal Fishery................................................................................... 24 8.2.2. Commercial Fishery................................................................................ 24 8.2.3. Recreational Fishery................................................................................ 24 9. MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE DURATION OF THE PLAN................................... 24 9.1. Fishing Season............................................................................................................ 24 9.2. Control and Monitoring of Fishing Activities............................................................ 25 9.2.1. Conditional Management Area................................................................ 25 9.3. Depuration Fishery..................................................................................................... 26 9.4. Licensing.................................................................................................................... 26 9.4.1. Commercial............................................................................................. 26 9.4.2. Aboriginal................................................................................................ 26 9.4.3. Recreational............................................................................................. 26 9.5. Key Legislation.......................................................................................................... 26 10. ENFORCEMENT ISSUES AND STRATEGIES.......................................................................... 27 10.1. Overview .................................................................................................................. 27 10.2. Main Program Activities .......................................................................................... 28 10.2.1. Participation in Working Groups, Management Meetings and Consultation With First Nations Groups........................................................... 28 10.2.2. Posting and Patrol of Contaminated Beaches........................................ 28 10.2.3. Posting, Notification and Patrol of Paralytic Shellfish Closures........... 28 10.2.4. Patrol of First Nations Food, Social and Ceremonial Fisheries ............ 29 10.2.5. Patrol of Recreational Fisheries............................................................. 29 10.2.6. Patrol of Commercial Fisheries............................................................. 29 10.2.7. Investigation of illegal sales.................................................................. 29 10.2.8. Patrol of Licenced Depuration Fisheries............................................... 30 10.2.9. Patrol of Aquaculture Lease Boundaries............................................... 30 10.3. Enforcement Issues and Strategies........................................................................... 30 11. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES .............................................................................................. 31 11.1. Industry and/or Other Harvesters ............................................................................. 31 11.2. Fisheries and Oceans ................................................................................................ 31 12. PERFORMANCE REVIEW.......................................................................................................... 32 12.1. Management Plan Evaluation................................................................................... 32 13. REFERENCES............................................................................................................................... 32 14.