Shellfish Opportunities in Saltwater

EXPECT IN-SEASON CHANGES!

Please check the regulations in the Sport Fishing Guide, then the list of Management Changes and Updates below to see if in-season changes have been made to the regulations.

 

Management Changes and Updates

All Areas | Area 1 | Areas 1 to 10 | Area 7 |
 Areas 13, 15, 16, 17, 23, 25 | Areas 17, 19, 23 | Area 18 | Area 19 |  Areas 23 and 26 | Area 28 | Area 29

All Areas

Crab: Reminder to Check your Crab Measuring Devices and ensure that you are using one that is correct:  Recently, Fishery Officers have been finding undersize crab that have been retained because the crab measuring devices fishers were using were not correct. The measuring devices would be the correct size in some US waters, but they are not the correct size in British Columbia, Canada. Please ensure that the device you are using is measuring 165 mm (6.5 inches) for Dungeness crab and 115 mm (4.5 inches) for Red Rock Crab. Only legal size male crabs may be retained. A crab is measured in a straight line through the widest part of the carapace, or shell, from outside the points (or horns). It appears that the problem is mainly with a device from Danielson Outdoors.

Photo: Crab measuring device from Danielson Outdoors: this device is NOT APPROPRIATE for measuring correct crab size in British Columbia.
Listed 15/09/2011 FN0898

Area 1

Cockles and Weathervane Scallops: Subarea 1-5 (“North Beach”) is open to the recreational and aboriginal harvest of cockles and weathervane scallops. Listed on 10/11/2011 FN1128

Razor clams: Subarea 1-5: Subarea 1-5 ("North Beach") is open to the recreational and aboriginal harvest of razor clams only. Listed on 07/07/2011 FN0545

Areas 1 to 10

North Coast - Areas 1 to 10: Reminder of shellfish harvest closures: A harvest prohibition for all bivalve shellfish is in in effect all year for most areas on the North Coast (Areas 1 to 10 with the exception of some subareas) due to the risk of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP, red tide) and other marine toxins. Listed on 13/06/2011 FN0466

Area 7

Manila clams, littleneck clams and mussels: Subarea 7-17: the waters of Gunboat Pass, except for Sanitary Closure 7.19, from a North/South line between Manson Point and Cone Point East to the boundary line between Madigan Point and Georgie Point in Fisheries Management Subarea 7-17: Dec. 21, 2011 -  March 31, 2012 pending acceptable results from the on-going marine biotoxin monitoring program: daily aggregate bag limit for littleneck and Manila clams is 75. The daily aggregate limit for mussels is 75 of which 25 may be California mussels. The possession limit is twice the daily limit. Listed 20/12/2011 FN1206

Subarea 7-17: The waters of Gunboat Pass are closed for all recreational bivalve shellfish harvest. Listed on 03/03/2011 FN0140

Areas 13, 15, 16, 17, 23, 25

Prawn and Shrimp: Jan. 1 - March 31, 2012: the harvest of prawns and shrimp by trap, ring net, or spear while diving will be closed in the following Subareas:

1. Subareas 13-12, 13-16, 13-17 (Quadra Island area) Map;
2. Subareas 15-2 and 15-3 (Lund area) Map;
3. Subareas 16-1, 16-2, 16-10, 16-11, and 16-16 to 16-18 inclusive (Malaspina Strait/lower Jervis Inlet) Map;
4. Subareas 16-7 and 16-8 (Salmon and Narrows Inlets) Map;
5. Subareas 17-13 and 17-15 (Nanaimo) Map;
6. Subareas 23-1 (portion Alberni Inlet) Map; and
7. Subareas 25-1, 25-8, 25-16 (Tahsis and Muchalat Inlets) Map

Listed on 06/12/2011 FN1176

Areas 17, 19, 23

Prawn and Shrimp: The harvest of prawns and shrimp by trap, ring net, or spear while diving, will close in the following Subareas:
1. Subareas 17-5, 17-6, and 17-9 (Stuart Channel) Map;
2. Subareas 19-7 to 19-12 inclusive (Saanich Inlet) Map;
3. Subareas 23-2 and 23-3 (portion Alberni Canal) Map.
These areas will be closed for the following periods:

• Dec. 1 - Dec. 15, 2011;
• Jan. 1 -  Jan. 15, 2012;
• Feb. 1 - Feb. 15, 2012;
• March 1 -  March 15, 2012.

These Subareas will open March 16, 2012 until further notice. Listed on 06/12/2011 FN1176

See also:

• Prawn and Shrimp Closures
• Questions and Answers - Prawn Pulse Fishing
• Prawn Fishery Information

Area 18

Crab Gear Information: Subarea 18-10: The recreational crab fishery may use traps and handpicking by diving within the Fulford Harbour recreational access closure. Previously, recreational crab fishing in Subarea 18-10 was permitted only by ring-net and dip-net. The description of PFMA 18-10 is as follows: Those waters of Fulford Harbour inside a line that begins at 48°43.9982N 123°25.5332W [Isabella Point] then to 48o45.220'N 123o23.219'W [Eleanor Point] then following the shoreline to the beginning point. Listed on 27/04/2010 FN0316

Area 19

Shellfish consumption advisory for Esquimalt Harbour: in all waters north of a line connecting Fisgard Light House, Scroggs Rocks, and Duntze Head (Subarea 19-2 and a portion of Subarea 19-3): Maximum weekly intakes for various seafoods recommended by Health Canada. Listed on 9/10/2009  FN0807

Areas 23 and 26

Manila clams, varnish clams, butter clams, native littleneck clams, razor clams and oysters: April 1, 2011 until further notice: In accordance with the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement (Treaty), the beaches described below will be closed to the harvest of intertidal bivalves between the high water mark and the low water mark. These “Inter-tidal Bivalve Harvest Areas” are set aside for the use of Maa-nulth First Nations members only:

• Toquart Bay:  
  1. “Toquart River Flats”: That portion of Toquart Bay in Subarea 23-10 bounded on the east by a straight line that starts at 49°02.363’ N,  125°20.836’ W, then straight to 49°02.321’ N,  125°20.767’ W, then straight to 49°02.250’ N 125°20.788’ W, then 200° True to the low water mark, then following the low water mark to the southern boundary bounded on the south by a straight line running due east from 49°01.513’ N,  125°21.811’ W to the low water mark and bounded on the northwest by a line that starts at 49°02.318’ N 125°21.438’ W, then straight to 49°02.305’ N,  125°21.468’ W, then straight to 49°02.235’ N,  125°21.468’ W, then straight to 49°02.199’ N,  125°21.553’ W. Closure map
  2. “Maggie River”: That portion of Subarea 23-10 near the mouth of the Maggie River bounded on the east by a line running due south from 49°00.301’ N, 125°21.956’ W to the low water mark, then following the low water mark to the southern boundary, and bounded on the south by a line running due east from 48°59.305’ N, 125°23.155’ W to the low water mark. Closure map 
• Effingham Inlet:  
  1. “Effingham Inlet West”: That portion of Effingham Inlet in Subarea 23-6 west of a line that starts at 49°03.043’ N,  125°09.768’ W, then following the low water mark to 49°02.895’ N,  125°09.944’ W Closure map 
  2. “Coeur d’Alene Creek”: That portion of Effingham Inlet in Subarea 23-6 at the mouth of Coeur d’Alene Creek east of a line that starts at 49°02.930’ N, 125°08.302’ W, then following the low water mark to 49°02.659’ N, 125°08.618’ W, and west of a straight line from 49°02.758’ N, 125°08.272’ W to 49°02.758’ N, 125°08.272’ W. Closure map 
• Tzartus Island:  
  1. “Geer Islets”: That portion of Subarea 23-5 surrounding the Geer Islets inside a line that starts at 48°55.828’ N, 125°06.707’ W, then south following the low water mark to 48°55.673’ N, 125°06.672’ W, then north following the low water mark to the point of commencement, including the intertidal zone between the north and south islets. Closure map  
  2. “Meade Islets”: That portion of Subarea 23-5 surrounding the Meade Islets inside a line that starts at 48°55.650’N, 125°07.290’ W, then south following the low water mark to 48°55.423’ N, 125°07.507’ W, then north following the low water mark to the point of commencement, including the intertidal zone between the east and west islets.  Closure map
• Sarita River:  
  1. “Northeast Numukamis Bay”: That portion of northeast Numukamis Bay in Subarea 23-4 at the mouth of Carnation Creek east of a line that starts at 48°54.920’ N, 125°00.423’ W, then following the low water mark to 48°54.722’ N, 125°00.468’ W. Closure map 
  2. “Kookswiis (Sarita River)”: That portion of Numukamis Bay in Subarea 23-4 at the mouth of the Sarita River (Kookswiis) inside a line that starts at 48°54.434’ N,  125°’00.652’ W, then following the low water mark to 48°53.731’ N, 125°01.278’ W, then following the eastern shoreline of Santa Maria Island to 48°53.529’ N, 125°01.565’ W, then straight across the channel to 48°53.486’ N, 125°01.486’ W, and bounded on the east by a line that starts at 48°54.187’ N, 125°00.540’ W, then straight to 48°54.148’ N,  125°00.612’ W, then straight to 48°54.086’ N, 125°00.632’ W, then straight to 48°54.064’ N, 125°00.592’ W, then straight to 48°54.030’ N, 125°00.599’ W, then straight to  48°53.786’ N, 125°01.034’ W. Closure map

Listed on 23/09/2011 FN0937

Area 28

Crab: Effective January 15, 2008, until further notice, it is prohibited to fish for crabs from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise each day in Subareas 28-6, 28-7, 28-9, 28-11 and that portion of Subarea 28-12 southerly of a straight line from a point on the eastern shore of Indian Arm at 49 degrees 19.072 minutes North and 122 degrees 55.918 minutes West, on Turtle Head, to the most northerly point of Hamber Island, thence to the most northerly point of Grey Rocks Island thence to a point on the western shore of Indian Arm at 49 degrees 19.024 minutes North and 122 degrees 56.650 minutes West. Listed on 14/01/2008 FN0018 Closure map

Area 29

Crab: Feb. 1, 2011 until further notice: Crab fishing is prohibited in the areas surrounding the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Deltaport. Area: From a line that starts at 49° 1.56667' N, 123° 8.78667' W then to 49°01.464 N  123° 08.633 W [Yellow Marker labeled TB] then to 49°01.214 N  123° 08.578 W [Red marker labeled T8] then to 49°00.887 N  123° 08.644 W  [Red marker labeled T6] then to 49°00.696 N  123° 08.922 W [Red marker labeled T4] then to 49°00.489 N  123° 09.201 W [Red marker labeled T2] then to 49°00.323 N  123° 08.189 W [BC Ferry Western docking pylon] then to 49° 0.6' N, 123° 7.75' W following the BC Ferry property coastline to  49° 0.47' N, 123° 7.58167' W then to 49°00.230 N  123° 07.440 W [NE point of Tsawwassen Breakwater] then to 49°00.134 N  123° 07.725 W [SW Point of Tsawwassen Breakwater] then to 49° 0.13333' N, 123° 11.27' W then to 49° 0.91333' N, 123° 11.27' W then to 49°00.666 N  123° 10.082 W [W end of Delta Port Dock] then following along Delta Port causeway to 49° 0.81667' N, 123° 9.53333' W continuing along the Deltaport property coastline. Closure map Listed on 25/01/2011 FN0056

You can also view shellfish regulations by Management Area: Choose the Area from the pull-down menu box below Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 8 Area 9 Area 10 Area 11 Area 12 Area 13 Area 14 Area 15 Area 16 Area 17 Area 18 Area 19 Area 20 Area 21 Area 22 Area 23 Area 24 Area 25 Area 26 Area 27 Area 28 Area 29 Area 101 Area 102 Area 103 Area 104 Area 105 Area 106 Area 107 Area 108 Area 109 Area 110 Area 111 Area 121 Area 123 Area 124 Area 125 Area 126 Area 127 Area 142