Restricted fishing areas

Fishing in parks and marine conservation areas

Canada’s national parks and marine conservation areas help protect marine species and their habitat from the threat of human activities. In British Columbia, DFO cooperates with Parks Canada and others to manage sport fishing in these areas.

• Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
• Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site
• Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
• Proposed Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR) is spread over many islands, islets, reefs and adjacent waters in the southern-most Gulf Islands. Always check the latest closures and restrictions for the area where you are fishing.

If you plan to fish in the southern Gulf Islands, be aware of the following:

• Freshwater fishing is not permitted in GINPR
• The GINPR Interim Park Zoning, which is expected to be approved in the near future, proposes some marine closure areas for conservation and wildlife related reasons
• It is your responsibility to be aware of and respect national park regulations (Parks Canada)

Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Freshwater fishing is not permitted in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

• Bivalve shellfish restrictions in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
• It is your responsibility to be aware of and respect national park regulations (Parks Canada)

Proposed Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve

Proposed Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCA) covers approximately 1,400 sq. km, stretching from Cordova Bay to southern Gabriola Island, including Saanich Inlet. Always check the latest closures and restrictions for the area where you are fishing.

To get involved or to learn more about the NMCA reserve proposal, visit Parks Canada's Feasibility Study for the Proposed Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve

Restrictions in glass sponge reefs

Do your part to protect sensitive sponge and coral habitat by not releasing or setting fishing trap gear for crab, prawn or shrimp in areas where such fishing is not allowed. Move to another location any time you recover your trap gear and find pieces of sponge or coral attached.

• In areas 14, 17, 18, 28 and 29, Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound, there are a number of isolated sponge reefs that are closed to all bottom-contact recreational fishing, including for prawn, shrimp, crab and groundfish (including halibut). The use of downrigger gear in recreational salmon trolling is also prohibited in portions of Subareas 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, 28-4 and 29-3 due to potential damage to shallower reefs.
• Sponge reefs are found in the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reef Marine Protected Area in areas 105, 106, 107, and 110 in waters deeper than 100 m in depth. These areas are closed to all fishing.

Restrictions in marine protected areas (MPA)

DFO designates MPAs to protect important fish and marine mammal habitats and endangered marine species. In MPAs, it is generally prohibited to carry out any activity that disturbs, damages, destroys or removes any living marine organism or any part of its habitat or is likely to do so.

Learn about restrictions in:

• Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents MPA
• Bowie Seamount MPA
• Hecate Strait / Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs MPA

Restrictions in areas of interest (AOI)

AOIs contain ecologically-sensitive land or species that need extra protection. The designation of an area of interest is the first step towards establishing a marine protected area.

Learn about restrictions in:

• Race Rocks AOI
• Offshore Pacific AOI
• Offshore Pacific Seamounts and Vents Closure

Restrictions in rockfish conservation areas

Before you go fishing, find out where British Columbia’s RCAs are located. Certain coastal areas are designated rockfish conservation areas (RCAs).

Populations of British Columbia’s inshore rockfish, such as yelloweye, quillback, copper, china, and tiger rockfish, are at low levels, especially in the Strait of Georgia. DFO needs your help to keep the numbers from falling more.

Sport fishing is not allowed in RCAs, except for gathering the following:

• invertebrates by hand picking or diving
• crab by trap
• shrimp or prawn by trap
• smelt by gillnet

Help protect Rockfish

• Fish away from rocky reef areas
• Know the location of the Rockfish Conservation Areas
• Tell other anglers about the need to conserve rockfish
• Report fishery violations. The watchful eyes of everyone who fishes can deter possible violators