PACIFIC REGION INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN SEA CUCUMBER BY DIVE OCTOBER 1, 2020 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 Sea Cucumber: Apostichopus californicus 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 Sea Cucumber 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. 2020/2021 Sea Cucumber by Dive Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 2 of 38 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 5 1.2. History ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.3. Type of Fishery and Participants ............................................................................. 6 1.4. Location of Fishery ................................................................................................. 7 1.5. Fishery Characteristics ............................................................................................ 7 1.6. Governance .............................................................................................................. 8 1.7. Approval Process ..................................................................................................... 9 2. STOCK ASSESSMENT, SCIENCE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ..................... 9 2.1. Biological Synopsis ................................................................................................. 9 2.2. Ecosystem Interactions .......................................................................................... 10 2.3. Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge/Traditional Ecological Knowledge ............... 10 2.4. The Adaptive Management Plan (Phase 1 Fishery) 1997 to 2007 ........................ 11 2.5. Stock Assessment .................................................................................................. 11 2.6. Stock Scenarios ..................................................................................................... 12 2.7. Precautionary Approach ........................................................................................ 12 2.8. Commercial No-Take Reserves ............................................................................ 13 2.9. Precautionary Exploitation Rate (Harvest Rate) ................................................... 14 2.10. Research ................................................................................................................ 15 3. ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE FISHERY ...................................................................... 15 3.1. First Nations .......................................................................................................... 15 3.2. Recreational ........................................................................................................... 16 3.3. Commercial ........................................................................................................... 16 4. MANAGEMENT ISSUES .................................................................................................. 19 4.1. Conservation and Sustainability ............................................................................ 20 4.2. Social, Cultural and Economic .............................................................................. 21 4.3. Compliance ............................................................................................................ 22 4.4. Ecosystem .............................................................................................................. 22 4.5. Oceans and Habitat ................................................................................................ 23 4.6. Gear Impacts ......................................................................................................... 26 5. OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................................... 26 5.1. National ................................................................................................................. 26 5.2. Pacific Region ....................................................................................................... 26 5.3. Invertebrate Resource Management ...................................................................... 27 5.4. Sea Cucumber ....................................................................................................... 27 6. ACCESS AND ALLOCATION .......................................................................................... 28 6.1. First Nations .......................................................................................................... 29 6.2. Recreational ........................................................................................................... 29 6.3. Commercial ........................................................................................................... 29 6.4. Aquaculture and Enhancement .............................................................................. 29 6.5. Experimental, Scientific, Educational or Public Display ...................................... 29 6.6. Request for Access ................................................................................................ 29 2020/2021 Sea Cucumber by Dive Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 3 of 38 7. MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE DURATION OF THE PLAN ........................ 30 8. SHARED STEWARDSHIP ARRANGEMENTS .............................................................. 30 8.1. Commercial Fishery .............................................................................................. 30 8.2. Fisheries and Oceans Canada ................................................................................ 30 9. COMPLIANCE PLAN ........................................................................................................ 30 9.1. Enforcement Issues and Strategies ........................................................................ 31 10. PERFORMANCE REVIEW ............................................................................................... 32 10.1. Stock Assessment and Research ........................................................................... 32 10.2. First Nations Fishery ............................................................................................. 33 10.3. Recreational Fishery .............................................................................................. 33 10.4. Commercial Fishery .............................................................................................. 33 10.5. Compliance ............................................................................................................ 33 11. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................... 33 12. GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................ 35 ATTACHMENTS Appendix 1: Sea Cucumber Commercial Harvest Plan Appendix 2: Sea Cucumber First Nations Harvest Plan Appendix 3: Sea Cucumber Recreational Harvest Plan Appendix 4: Sea Cucumber Aquaculture Management Measures Appendix 5: Sea Cucumber Post Season Review Appendix 6: Management Measures for the Sea Cucumber Commercial Fishery Appendix 7: Sea Cucumber Stock Assessment Information Appendix 8: Example of a Sea Cucumber Harvest Log Appendix 9: Sea Cucumber Quota Management Area Descriptions Appendix 10: Sea Cucumber Quota Management Area Maps Appendix 11: Example of Sea Cucumber Conditions of Licence Appendix 12: Fishing Vessel Safety Appendix 13: Sea Cucumber Fishery Consultation Appendix 14: Adaptive Rotational Fishing Strategy 2020 to 2022 – Year 1 Appendix 15: Contacts 2020/21 2020/2021 Sea Cucumber by Dive Integrated Fisheries Management