BC tidal area 20 - Sooke, Port Renfrew: Recreational fishing limits, openings and closures
You’re responsible for understanding the regulations and restrictions that may affect an open fishery.
How to follow the rules:
- Check the Area map. You need to know the location (subarea) where you plan to fish.
- Check the species regulations tables for fishing opportunities and basic regulations.
- Check the restrictions tables for special exceptions and more detailed regulations. Make sure you know the:
- (d) Daily limit: The maximum number of a given fish species that a person is allowed to keep in one day.
- (p) Possession limit: The maximum number of fish you can have in your possession at any given time, except for what is at your ordinary residence.
- (a) Annual limit: The total amount of fish of a certain species that may be caught and retained during the course of a fishing year which commences on April 1 and ends the following March 31.
- Get to know the locations of protected areas. Permanent fishing restrictions are in effect in these areas to protect fish and fish habitat.
- Unless otherwise specified, fishing opportunities and closures end at 23:59 hrs on the close-date shown.
Helpful resources:
Area map
Area maps
For a written description of Areas please see the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations 2007.
Area 20: Download a printable PDF version of this map.
Salmon
Salmon
- Learn more about fishing for salmon
- Management measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales
- Area 20, Port Renfrew, Sooke 2023 Chinook salmon and other management measures
- Area 20, Port Renfrew, Sooke, 2023 coho salmon and other management measures
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Limits (d/p/a) |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon | 20-1 to 20-5 | 45cm | Barbless Hook & Line | 2/4/10 | Open (See Restrictions) |
| 20-6,20-7 | Barbless Hook & Line | 0/0/- | Non-retention until Oct 15 (See Restrictions) | ||
| Chum salmon | 20 | 30cm | Barbless Hook & Line | 4/8/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Coho salmon (hatchery) | 20 | 30cm | Barbless Hook & Line | 4/8/- | Open until Dec 31 (See Restrictions) |
| Coho salmon (wild) | 20 | 30cm | Barbless Hook & Line | 1/2/- | Open until Dec 31 (See Restrictions) |
| Pink salmon | 20 | 30cm | Barbless Hook & Line | 4/8/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Sockeye salmon | 20 | Barbless Hook & Line | 0/0/- | Non-retention (See Restrictions) |
Last updated: 2023-10-01 02:45:07
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finfish | San Juan River mouth | Closed | Finfish closure - Closed to angling and spear fishing while diving. |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | Finfish closure - Closed to spear fishing while diving. | |
| Salmon | Coastwide | Combined Daily Limit Pieces | 4 - The daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon from tidal and fresh waters combined is 4. Individual species limits also apply. |
| Coastwide | Possession Limit Pieces | 8 - The possession limit for all salmon from all waters is twice the daily limit. You cannot possess more than eight salmon in total, except for salmon that are at your ordinary residence. | |
| Subarea 20-1 SRKW-salmon fishing closure | Closed | Closed to fishing for salmon effective July 15 until 23:59 hours October 31 per fisheries management measures for the recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales. | |
| Subarea 20-5 SRKW-salmon fishing closure | Closed | Closed to fishing for salmon effective August 1 until 23:59 hours October 31 per fisheries management measures for the recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales. | |
| Sooke Inlet, Sooke Harbour and Sooke Basin, north of a line from Muir Point to Possession Point | Gear Restriction | Single-Pointed Barbless Hook You may only use a single-pointed barbless hook that measures no more than 15 mm between the point and shank when fishing. | |
| San Juan River mouth | Gear Restriction | Reminder- You may only use a single-pointed barbless hook that measures no more than 15 mm between the point and shank when fishing. | |
| Chinook salmon | Coastwide | Reminder | Keeping your chinook salmon? You must permanently record all retained catch on your Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. If mobile internet access is immediately available, the licence holder may alternatively record catch immediately in their National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) account. |
| Coastwide | Annual Limit Pieces | 10 - The coastwide total annual limit for chinook salmon is 10 from all tidal waters that are open to chinook retention. | |
| Port San Juan Inside Owen Pt | Non Retention | Non retention of Chinook salmon from July 15 to October 25 inclusive. | |
| Sooke Inlet, Sooke Harbour and Sooke Basin, north of a line from Muir Point to Possession Point | Non Retention | Non retention of Chinook salmon from August 1 to October 15 inclusive. | |
| Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 20 | Combined Daily Limit Pieces | 2 - In times and areas where there is some combination of hatchery marked and wild (unmarked) Coho retention, the daily limit is two (2) Coho per day unless otherwise specified. You cannot add together the hatchery marked and wild (unmarked) limits to exceed two (2) Coho per day. Please see the species regulations and restrictions for specific limits on hatchery marked and wild (unmarked) Coho. |
| Port San Juan Coho Boundary | Daily Limit Pieces | 4 - Subarea 20-2 and that portion of Subarea 20-1 shoreward of a line between a square white boundary sign at Owen Point, the Port San Juan Light and Whistle Buoy, and San Juan Point the daily limit of Coho is four (4) per day, of which only 2 may be unmarked. | |
| Minimum Size (cm) | 30 cm | ||
| Possession Limit Pieces | 8 | ||
| Coho salmon (hatchery) | Coastwide | Reminder | Hatchery coho (marked): Coho salmon with a healed scar in place of the adipose fin. |
Last updated: 2023-09-05 00:15:44
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific_Rim_National_Park.pdf | Pacific Rim National Park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124). A complete description of the park boundaries is at https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/n-14.01/ - see Schedule 2 - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada. |
| Port San Juan Coho Boundary | Port_San_Juan_Coho_Boundary.png | Those waters in Subarea 20-2 and a portion of Subarea 20-1 shoreward of a line between a square white boundary sign at Owen Point, the Port San Juan Light and Whistle Buoy, and San Juan Point. |
| Port San Juan Inside Owen Pt | Subareas 20-1 and 20-2 inside or north of a line from Owen Point to the Port San Juan Light and Whistle Buoy then to Woods Nose | |
| San Juan River mouth | In that portion of Subarea 20-2 at the mouth of the San Juan River north of the beach camp boundary marker at the large alder tree, located at 48 33.514' N and 124 24.272' W and south of the Pacheedaht Campground and a boundary marker located at 48 33.599' N and 124 24.233' W, at the well-established stump in the sand, shoreward in a easterly direction of this boundary and downstream of the San Juan Bridge. | |
| Sooke Inlet, Sooke Harbour and Sooke Basin, north of a line from Muir Point to Possession Point | Sooke Inlet, Sooke Harbour and Sooke Basin, north of a line from Muir Point to Possession Point | |
| Subarea 20-1 SRKW-salmon fishing closure | Subarea_20-1_SRKW-salmon_fishing_closure.jpeg | That portion of Subarea 20-1 inside a line drawn from Bonilla Point Light at 48° 35.732' N and 124° 43.063' W easterly following the shoreline to a point on land near Vancouver Point at 48°35.110' N and 124°40.790' W, then southerly to a point in water at 48°31.211' N and 124°40.901' W, then easterly approximately 4 nautical miles to a point in water at 48°31.134' N and 124°34.896' W, then northerly to a point in water at 48°32.328' N and 124°34.860' W, then southeasterly to a point in water at 48° 30.507' N and 124°27.480' W, then southerly to a point in water at the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°25.162' N and 124°27.480' W, then northwesterly following the international boundary with the United States of America to a point in water at 48°29.607' N and 124° 43.634' W, and then northerly in a straight line back to the point of commencement. |
| Subarea 20-5 SRKW-salmon fishing closure | Subarea_20-5_SRKW-salmon_fishing_closure.jpeg | That portion of Subarea 20-5 inside a line drawn from a point in water approximately 1 nautical mile south of Otter Point at 48°20.334' N and 123°49.382' W southeasterly to a point in water at 48°17.715' N and 123°40.747' W, then easterly to a point in water approximately 0.5 nautical miles south of Race Rocks Light at 48°17.372' N and 123°31.936' W, then southerly to a point in water at the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°13.504' N and 123°32.325' W, then northwesterly following the international boundary of the United States of America to a point in water at 48°15.905' N and 123°49.585' W, and then in northerly in a straight line back to the point of commencement. |
Last updated: 2023-09-05 00:15:44
Other finfish
Finfish other than salmon
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Limits (d/p/a) |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herring | 20 | Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Herring Rake | 20kg/40kg/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Eulachon | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Mackerel | 20 | Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Hook and Line | 100/200/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Northern anchovy | 20 | Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Herring Rake | 20kg/40kg/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Other finfish species | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 20/40/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Pacific sand lance | 20 | Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Herring Rake | 5kg/10kg/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Pacific sardine | 20 | Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Herring Rake | 100/200/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Surf smelt | 20 | Dip Net, Gill Net | 20kg/40kg/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Tuna, Albacore | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 20/40/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Tuna, All other species | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 20/40/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Codfish | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 8/16/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Greenling | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 3/6/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Halibut | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 2/2/10 | Open until Dec 31 (See Restrictions) | |
| 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed until | |||
| Lingcod | 20-1 to 20-4 | 65cm | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 3/6/- | Open until Nov 15 (See Restrictions) |
| 20-5 to 20-7 | 0/0/0 | Closed | |||
| Perch | 20 | Hook and Line | 8/16/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Rockfish, All species combined | 20-1 to 20-4 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 3/6/- | Open until Nov 15 (See Restrictions) | |
| 20-5 to 20-7 | 0/0/0 | Closed | |||
| Rockfish, Yelloweye | 20-1 to 20-4 | Hook and Line | 0/0/0 | Non-retention until Nov 15 (See Restrictions) | |
| 20-5 to 20-7 | 0/0/0 | Closed | |||
| Sablefish | 20 | Hook and Line | 4/8/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Sculpin | 20 | Hook and Line | 8/16/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Shark, All other species | 20 | Hook and Line | 0/0/0 | Non-retention (See Restrictions) | |
| Shark, Basking | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Shark, Blue | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Shark, Bluntnose | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Shark, Brown Cat | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Shark, Great White | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Shark, Salmon | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 1/2/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Shark, Sixgill | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Shark, Tope | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Skate | 20 | Hook and Line | 1/2/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Sole/Flounder | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 8/16/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Spiny dogfish | 20 | Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving | 4/8/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Sturgeon | 20 | Hook and Line | 0/0/0 | Non-retention (See Restrictions) | |
| Trout (hatchery) | 20 | 30cm | Hook and Line | 2/4/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Trout (wild) | 20 | 0/0/- | Non-retention (See Restrictions) | ||
| Wolf eel | 20 | Hook and Line | 0/0/0 | Non-retention (See Restrictions) |
Last updated: 2023-10-01 02:31:09
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finfish | San Juan River mouth | Closed | Finfish closure - Closed to angling and spear fishing while diving. |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | Finfish closure - Closed to spear fishing while diving. | |
| Herring | 20 | Reminder | Harvesting of herring roe from marine plants or plants placed in the water for the purpose of harvesting herring roe is prohibited. |
| Eulachon | Coastwide | Closed | Due to conservation concerns the harvesting of eulachon is prohibited. |
| Codfish | 20 | Reminder | Species includes: Pacific cod, Pacific tomcod, pollock and hake but does not include lingcod. |
| Halibut | Coastwide | Closed | Recreational halibut fishing closes Coastwide as of midnight September 30. |
| Coastwide | Season Planning | Halibut: The recreational halibut fishery continues April 1, 2023 under the 2023/24 Conditions of Licence, and is expected to continue until December 31 2023. Non-residents of Canada wishing to fish and retain halibut in Areas 121, 23 and 123, must obtain their licence from a licence vendor in Canada - view: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/iap-fai-eng.html; that is, a licence purchased directly over the internet by a non-resident is not valid for halibut fishing in these areas. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | The daily and possession limit for halibut is EITHER of: one (1) halibut measuring 90 cm to 126 cm in length (69 cm to 97 cm head-off), OR two (2) halibut, each measuring under 90 cm in length (69 cm head-off). No person shall retain a halibut greater than 126cm head-on length (97 cm head-off). Head-off measurements are made from the base of the pectoral fin at its most forward point to the extreme end of the middle of the tail. | |
| 20 | Maximum Length Head On (cm) | 126 cm The maximum overall length for halibut is 126 cm head-on, or 97 cm head-off. | |
| Lingcod | Coastwide | Season Planning | For planning purposes only - for in-season requirements, please see current regulations/restrictions for specific areas, gear and individual species limits, and closures/exceptions. INSIDE WATERS - Generally open May 1 to September 30, for Areas 13 to 19 and Subareas 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5. Closed year round - Area 28 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-4 and 29-6 to 29-17. OUTSIDE WATERS - Generally Open April 1 to November 15, for Areas 1 to 10, 101 to 110, 130, 142, 11, 21 to 27, 111, 123 to 127, Subareas 12-14 and 20-1 to 20-4, and Area 121 (portion). |
| 20 | Reminder | Lingcod: Fillets, including the tail, must meet the minimum "head off" size limit of 53 cm. (21 in.) | |
| Perch | 20 | Reminder | Includes kelp, shiner and pile perch, and all species of surf and sea perch |
| Rockfish, All species combined | Coastwide | Reminder | Rockfish - Anglers in vessels shall immediately return all rockfish that are not being retained to the water and to a similar depth from which they were caught by use of an inverted weighted barbless hook or other purpose-built descender device. |
| Coastwide | Season Planning | Note - For planning purposes only - for in-season requirements, please see current regulations/restrictions for specific areas, gear and individual species limits, and closures/exceptions. INSIDE WATERS - Generally open May 1 to September 30, for Areas 13 to 19 and Subareas 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5. Closed year round - Area 28 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-4 and 29-6 to 29-17. OUTSIDE WATERS - Generally Open April 1 to November 15, for Areas 1 to 10, 101 to 110, 130, 142, 11, 21 to 27, 111, 123 to 127, Subareas 12-14 and 20-1 to 20-4, and Area 121 (portion). | |
| 20-1 to 20-4 | Daily Limit Pieces | 3 Daily limit of 3 Rockfish per day, of which only 1 may be a China Rockfish or a Tiger Rockfish or a Quillback Rockfish | |
| Sculpin | Coastwide | Reminder | Cabezon is a species of sculpin; for daily and possession limits, please see the species regulations table above for sculpin |
| Trout (hatchery and wild combined) | Coastwide | Reminder | Note (1) Trout - means Brook trout, Brown trout, Cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, Lake trout, Rainbow trout, Steelhead, and includes Bull trout. (2) Steelhead - in waters where anadromous Rainbow trout are found, Steelhead means a Rainbow trout that is greater than 50cm in overall length. (3) Anadromous means migrating from the sea up rivers or streams to spawn. |
| 20 | Combined Daily Limit Pieces | 2 The aggregate recreational daily limit for wild and hatchery trout combined is two (2). |
Last updated: 2023-10-01 00:06:04
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific_Rim_National_Park.pdf | Pacific Rim National Park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124). A complete description of the park boundaries is at https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/n-14.01/ - see Schedule 2 - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada. |
| San Juan River mouth | In that portion of Subarea 20-2 at the mouth of the San Juan River north of the beach camp boundary marker at the large alder tree, located at 48 33.514' N and 124 24.272' W and south of the Pacheedaht Campground and a boundary marker located at 48 33.599' N and 124 24.233' W, at the well-established stump in the sand, shoreward in a easterly direction of this boundary and downstream of the San Juan Bridge. |
Last updated: 2023-10-01 00:06:04
Bivalve shellfish and snails
Bivalve shellfish and snails
Eating contaminated shellfish can be life threatening. Closures change frequently throughout the year. It is illegal to harvest shellfish from closed or contaminated areas.
Bivalve shellfish have 2 hinged shells. Because they feed by filtering microscopic plankton from the water, changes in water quality can cause unsafe marine biotoxins, bacteria, or viruses to build up in their tissue.
Snails refers to all snails, whelks, tritons and periwinkles with the exception of Moon Snails. Snails and moon snails can accumulate toxins and pollutants. We recommend that they not be harvested from areas shown as closed in the table below.
Learn more about shellfish harvesting.
How to follow the rules
- Check for contamination in the subarea where you plan to harvest.
- If no contamination closures are in effect, check species regulations and additional harvest restrictions.
- Littleneck, Manila and butter clams are subject to a minimum size limit. See below under restrictions for more information on clam size limits.
- Questions? Email us at DFO.PACCSSP-PCAMPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Bivalve shellfish contamination closures
Planned bivalve shellfish harvesting closures
Look at the first column below to see which species are safe to harvest. If there is information in the second column, it is illegal and unsafe to harvest any bivalve species in those areas.
| Subarea | Marine biotoxin update (open bivalve species) | Sanitary contamination closures (closed to shellfish harvesting) |
|---|---|---|
| 20-1 | Mussels, All | |
| 20-2 | Mussels, All | |
| 20-3 | Mussels, All | |
| 20-4 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 20-5 | Clam, Littleneck;Clam, Manila;Mussels, All;Oyster, Pacific | |
| 20-6 | Clam, Littleneck;Clam, Manila;Mussels, All;Oyster, Pacific | |
| 20-7 | Clam, Littleneck;Clam, Manila;Mussels, All;Oyster, Pacific |
Last updated: 2023-08-18 15:45:16
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Gear | Limits (d/p/a) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clam, Butter | 20 | Hand Digging | 20/40/- |
| Clam, Horse | 20 | Hand Digging | 6/12/- |
| Clam, Littleneck | 20 | Hand Digging | 60/120/- |
| Clam, Manila | 20 | Hand Digging | 60/120/- |
| Clam, Razor | 20 | Hand Digging | 12/24/- |
| Clam, Softshell | 20 | Hand Digging | 25/50/- |
| Clam, Varnish | 20 | Hand Digging | 60/120/- |
| Clams, All | 20 | Hand Digging | 60/120/- |
| Cockles | 20 | Hand Digging | 25/50/- |
| Geoduck | 20 | Hand Digging, Hand Picking | 3/6/- |
| Mussel, Blue | 20 | Hand Picking | 75/150/- |
| Mussel, California | 20 | Hand Picking | 25/50/- |
| Oyster, Olympia | 20 | 0/0/0 | |
| Oyster, Pacific | 20 | Hand Picking | 12/24/- |
| Scallop, Pink and Spiny | 20 | Diving, Hand Picking | 75/150/- |
| Scallop, Rock | 20 | Diving, Hand Picking | 6/12/- |
| Scallop, Weathervane | 20 | Diving, Hand Picking | 6/12/- |
| Snail, Moon | 20 | Hand Picking | 2/4/- |
| Snail, Other | 20 | Hand Picking | 75/150/- |
Last updated: 2023-06-10 08:45:11
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shellfish | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | These waters are closed to the harvest of all marine life by divers, all year. |
| Bivalve Species | Coastwide | Reminder | Because of the risk of contamination, you are not allowed to harvest bivalve shellfish (for any purpose) within: (1) 300 metres around industrial, municipal and sewage treatment plant outfall discharges (2) 125 metres around a marina, ferry wharf, floating living accommodation, or any finfish net pen (exceptions described as follows) (3) 25 meters around any floating living accommodation facility located within a shellfish aquaculture tenure where a zero-discharge and appropriate waste management plan is a condition of the Aquaculture Licence and is approved by the Regional Interdepartmental Committee (4) 0 meters of any finfish net pen within an aquaculture tenure where an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Management Plan approved by the Regional Interdepartmental Committee is in operation. |
| Coastwide | Reminder | Clams: No person shall retain a Manila Clam or Littleneck Clam smaller than 35 mm, nor a Butter Clam smaller than 55 mm. | |
| Botanical Beach | Closed | ||
| Clam, Butter | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 0 - Pacific Rim National Park (Area 23) aggregate daily limit: 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 6 horse clams, 24 littleneck or Manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum aggregate of all clam species is 24. |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 0 - Pacific Rim National Park aggregate daily limit: 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 6 horse clams, 24 littleneck or Manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum aggregate of all clam species is 24. | |
| Clam, Horse | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 6 - Pacific Rim National Park (Area 23) aggregate daily limit: 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 6 horse clams, 24 littleneck or Manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum aggregate of all clam species is 24. |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 6 - Pacific Rim National Park aggregate daily limit: 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 6 horse clams, 24 littleneck or Manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum aggregate of all clam species is 24. | |
| Clam, Littleneck | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 24 - Pacific Rim National Park (Area 23) aggregate daily limit: 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 6 horse clams, 24 littleneck or Manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum aggregate of all clam species is 24. |
| Clam, Manila | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 24 - Pacific Rim National Park (Area 23) aggregate daily limit: 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 6 horse clams, 24 littleneck or Manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum aggregate of all clam species is 24. |
| Clam, Razor | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 8 - Pacific Rim National Park (Area 23) aggregate daily limit: 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 6 horse clams, 24 littleneck or Manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum aggregate of all clam species is 24. |
| Clams, All | Coastwide | Daily Limit Pieces | 60 - When open, all species aggregate daily limit combined Areas 1 to 27 is 60, except Pacific Rim National Park where the all species aggregate limit is 24. |
| 20 | Gear Restriction | It is illegal to use any mechanical apparatus or dredge for harvesting clams. | |
| Reminder | Clam harvesters are encouraged to fill in holes to reduce predation on exposed juvenile clams. | ||
| Geoduck | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 3 - Pacific Rim National Park (Area 23) aggregate daily limit: 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 12 horse clams, 24 littleneck or Manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum aggregate of all clam species is 24. |
| Mussel, Blue | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 12 |
| Mussel, California | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 12 |
| Mussels, All | 20 | Reminder | Combined daily limit for all mussel species is 75. |
| Oyster, Pacific | Coastwide | Reminder | To avoid inadvertently harvesting Olympia oysters while you are harvesting Pacific oysters, do not harvest any oyster less than 5 cm in diameter. |
| 20 | Packaging and Transporting | Avoid transfer of green crab - Harvesters are encouraged to shuck oysters on the beach and leave the shells there, or return oyster shells to the beach from where you collected them whenever possible. In order to avoid the transfer of European green crab, please dispose of any oyster shell harvested from the west coast of Vancouver Island back to the beach from where it came or with your household garbage. Consult your local DFO Office. You will need permission to harvest oysters from marked oyster farms. | |
| Snail, Moon | 20 | Reminder | Moon snails may be subject to PSP, check for closures. Consult your local DFO office for details. |
Last updated: 2023-06-10 08:45:48
Area descriptions
| Closure | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| 20.1 Sooke Harbour and Sooke Basin | 20.1.jpeg | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Sooke Harbour and Sooke Basin, lying inside a line drawn from the eastern tip of Whiffin Spit at 48°21.503’ north latitude and 123°42.663' west longitude, thence due east to a point on the opposite shore at 48°21.467' north latitude and 123°42.480' west longitude, thence along the shoreline to Company Point at 48°20.839' north latitude and 123°43.084' west longitude, but excluding Conditionally Approved area 20.10A in Sooke Basin. [NAD83] |
| 20.2 Pedder Bay | 20.2.jpeg | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Pedder Bay lying inside a line drawn from Cape Calver to William Head. [NAD83] |
| 20.4 Port Renfrew | 20.4.jpeg | The waters and intertidal foreshore inside a radius of 4,850 metres from the Port Renfrew Wastewater Treatment Plant outfall at 48°33.56' north latitude and 124°24.14' west longitude at the mouth of the San Juan River, extending southwesterly to a point on land west of Woods Nose at 48°32.13' north latitude and 124°27.44' west longitude and extending northwesterly to a point on land at 48°33.63' north latitude and 124°28.07' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 20.5 Becher Bay Marina, Becher Bay | 20.5.jpeg | The waters and intertidal foreshore surrounding the Becher Bay Marina, lying inside a line drawn in a 195 m radius from any point on the perimeter of the dock fingers, commencing from a point on land in the south at 48°19.66' north latitude and 123°38.07' west longitude, and ending at a point on land in the north at 48°19.90' north latitude and 123°37.96' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 20.6 Cheanuh Marina, Becher Bay | 20.6.jpeg | The waters and intertidal foreshore surrounding the Cheanuh Marina in Becher Bay, lying inside a line drawn in a 265 m radius from any point on the perimeter of the dock fingers, commencing from a point on land in the south at 48°20.09' north latitude and 123°36.38' west longitude, and ending at a point on land in the north at 48°20.26' north latitude and 123°35.92' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 20.7 Eastern Head of Becher Bay | 20.7.jpeg | The waters and intertidal foreshore of the easternmost head of Becher Bay, lying inside a line drawn from a point of land at 48°20.29' north latitude and 123°35.78' west longitude, thence southeasterly to a point on land on the opposite shore at 48°20.09' north latitude and 123°35.49' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 20.8 Becher Bay | 20.8.jpeg | The waters and intertidal foreshore in Becher Bay, inside a line drawn from a point on land on the southern shore of Frazer Island at 48°19.61' north latitude and 123°36.45' west longitude, thence following the shoreline to a point on land on the eastern shore of Frazer Island at 48°19.68' north latitude and 123°36.27' west longitude, thence southeasterly to the northeasternmost point of Village Island at 48°19.56' north latitude and 123°35.97' west longitude, thence southwesterly to the southernmost point of Village Island at 48°19.47' north latitude and 123°36.01' west longitude, thence southwesterly to a point in the water at 48°19.11' north latitude and 123°36.31' west longitude, thence northwesterly to a point in the water at 48°19.33' north latitude and 123°36.72' west longitude, thence northeasterly to the point of commencement. [NAD83] |
| 20.9 Sooke Bay | 20.9.jpeg | The waters of Sooke Bay within a radius of 300 m of the wastewater outfall terminus at 48º21.19' north latitude and 123º46.16' west longitude. [NAD 83] |
Last updated: 2023-08-18 15:45:16
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Beach | Waters of Botanical Beach between the lowest tide level and the highest tide level, between a fishing boundary sign 1,500 m northeast of San Juan Point, following the shoreline southeasterly to a fishing boundary sign 250 m west of the mouth of Tom Baird Creek. | |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific_Rim_National_Park.pdf | Pacific Rim National Park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124). A complete description of the park boundaries is at https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/n-14.01/ - see Schedule 2 - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada. |
Last updated: 2023-06-10 08:45:48
Crab
Crab
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Limits (d/p/a) |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box and Puget Sound King crab | 20 | Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) | 1/2/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Dungeness crab | 20 | 165mm | Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) | 4/8/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| King crab | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | ||
| Other crab | 20 | Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) | 4/8/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Red Rock crab | 20 | 115mm | Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) | 4/8/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Shore crab | 20 | Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) | 75/150/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
Last updated: 2023-04-12 10:48:17
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shellfish | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | These waters are closed to the harvest of all marine life by divers, all year. |
| Crab | Coastwide | Gear Restriction | Gear Permitted Maximum of 2 ring nets, dip nets or traps or combination of these per fisher. Ensure gear is properly marked. Hand picking is permitted including by diving. No sharp-pointed instruments are permitted for harvesting crab. It is illegal to use snares in catching or attempting to catch crabs. |
| Reminder | Keep navigation channels clear of buoys and lines. Any fishing gear that interferes with safe navigation can be removed under the Navigation Protection Act. | ||
| Crab | Coastwide | Gear Restriction | Rot Cord - All crab traps must have a section in the top or sidewall that has been secured by a single length of untreated cotton twine no greater than No. 120 (approximately 5 mm or 3/16 inch diameter). This twine is often referred to as rot cord. On deterioration this must produce a rectangular opening with a minimum size of 7 cm x 20 cm, or a square opening with a minimum size of 11 cm x 11 cm. This regulation is intended to ensure that if the trap is lost, the section secured by the cord will rot, allowing captive crabs to escape, and preventing the trap from continuing to fish. On traps with a rigid frame and a freely opening hinged lid the trap lid must be secured by a single length of untreated cotton twine no greater than No. 120 so that the trap lid will open freely when the rot cord is broken. No other fastenings may impede the hinged lid of the trap from opening. |
| Coastwide | Gear Restriction | Crab traps are required to have two unobstructed circular escape holes or rings, measuring a minimum of 105 mm in diameter | |
| Coastwide | Gear Restriction | Crab, Prawn and Shrimp Floats - The primary float attached to crab traps must be cylindrical in shape (includes bullet shaped) and a minimum of 27 cm in length and 12 cm in diameter; an optional secondary float may be used of any shape or size other than spherical. The primary float attached to prawn and shrimp traps must be spherical in shape and a minimum of 27 cm in diameter; an optional secondary float may be used of any shape or size other than cylindrical. Floats must be made of a durable material and suitable for operation in marine waters; floats/materials not suitable for use in marine waters are prohibited. | |
| 20 | Reminder | Combined daily limit for Dungeness crab, red rock crab, box crab, Puget Sound king crab and all other king crab is 4. | |
| Botanical Beach | Closed | ||
| King crab | Coastwide | Packaging and Transporting | In order to be accurately measured, the carapace of King crab that you catch must remain attached until the crab arrives at your residence or it is consumed. |
| Coastwide | Sex Restriction | As per the Conditions of Licence, it is prohibited to possess female King crab | |
| Dungeness crab | Coastwide | Packaging and Transporting | In order to be accurately measured, the carapace of Dungeness crab that you catch must remain attached until the crab arrives at your residence or it is consumed. |
| Sex Restriction | It is prohibited to possess female Dungeness crab | ||
| Red Rock crab | Coastwide | Packaging and Transporting | In order to be accurately measured, the carapace of Red Rock crab that you catch must remain attached until the crab arrives at your residence or it is consumed. |
| Sex Restriction | It is prohibited to possess female Red Rock crab |
Last updated: 2023-04-12 10:50:23
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Beach | Waters of Botanical Beach between the lowest tide level and the highest tide level, between a fishing boundary sign 1,500 m northeast of San Juan Point, following the shoreline southeasterly to a fishing boundary sign 250 m west of the mouth of Tom Baird Creek. | |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific_Rim_National_Park.pdf | Pacific Rim National Park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124). A complete description of the park boundaries is at https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/n-14.01/ - see Schedule 2 - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada. |
Last updated: 2023-04-12 10:50:23
Other invertebrates
Other invertebrates
- Basic information about shellfish harvesting
- Seasonal recreational harvesting closures for prawn and shrimp
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Gear | Limits (d/p/a) |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abalone | 20 | 0/0/0 | Closed | |
| Barnacles, Giant | 20 | Hand Picking | 6/12/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Barnacles, Goose | 20 | Hand Picking | 2kg/4kg/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Limpet | 20 | Hand Picking | 75/150/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Octopus | 20 | Diving, Hand Picking, Hook and Line, Traps (Crab) | 1/2/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Other shellfish species | 20 | 20/40/- | Open (See Restrictions) | |
| Sand Dollar | 20 | Hand Picking | 6/12/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Sea Cucumber | 20 | Diving, Hand Picking | 12/24/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Sea Urchin | 20 | Diving, Hand Picking | 12/24/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Shrimp, Ghost | 20 | Hand Digging, Hand Pump | 50/100/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Shrimp/Prawn | 20 | Ring Net, Spear, Trap (Other species of Shellfish) | 125/250/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Squid, All other species | 20 | Cast Net, Jigging | 20/40/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Squid, Opal | 20 | Cast Net, Jigging | 200/400/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
| Starfish sea star | 20 | Hand Picking | 6/12/- | Open (See Restrictions) |
Last updated: 2023-10-01 01:38:05
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shellfish | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | These waters are closed to the harvest of all marine life by divers, all year. |
| Other Invertebrates | Botanical Beach | Closed | |
| Shrimp/Prawn | Coastwide | Gear Restriction | Crab, Prawn and Shrimp Floats - The primary float attached to crab traps must be cylindrical in shape (includes bullet shaped) and a minimum of 27 cm in length and 12 cm in diameter; an optional secondary float may be used of any shape or size other than spherical. The primary float attached to prawn and shrimp traps must be spherical in shape and a minimum of 27 cm in diameter; an optional secondary float may be used of any shape or size other than cylindrical. Floats must be made of a durable material and suitable for operation in marine waters; floats/materials not suitable for use in marine waters are prohibited. |
| Coastwide | Gear Restriction | Maximum 4 traps or ring nets or combination of these per fisher. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | Spot Prawns (Pandalus platyceros) with eggs: No person shall retain prawns carrying eggs, or remove eggs from the underside of prawns carrying eggs. All prawns carrying eggs externally on the underside of the tail shall be returned to the water immediately and in the manner that causes the least harm. | |
| Coastwide | Gear Restriction | Traps must be marked with floating tag or buoy that has your name on it. This includes traps tied to a boat or dock or fished from shore. If two traps are attached to one ground-line, it is sufficient to attach a tag, float or buoy that bears the operator's name to one end of the ground-line. | |
| Reminder | Combined daily limit for all shrimp species, including prawn, is 125 |
Last updated: 2023-04-12 13:26:36
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Beach | Waters of Botanical Beach between the lowest tide level and the highest tide level, between a fishing boundary sign 1,500 m northeast of San Juan Point, following the shoreline southeasterly to a fishing boundary sign 250 m west of the mouth of Tom Baird Creek. | |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific_Rim_National_Park.pdf | Pacific Rim National Park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124). A complete description of the park boundaries is at https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/n-14.01/ - see Schedule 2 - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada. |
Last updated: 2023-04-12 13:26:36
Protected areas
Protected areas
Learn about permanent restrictions that are in effect:
| Area | Type | Closure name |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Area of Interest | Race Rocks Area of Interest |
| 20-1 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Carmanah |
| 20-5 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Becher Bay East |
| Bentinck Island | ||
| Race Rocks | ||
| Sooke Bay | ||
| 20-6 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Sooke Bay |
Last updated: 2022-08-05 15:25:10
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Becher Bay East | Becher_Bay_East.png | Those waters of Subarea 20-5 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°18.900'N 123°35.433'W north of Church Point then to 48°18.746'N 123°36.267'W South Bedford Island then to 48°18.967'N 123°36.467'W Bedford Island then to 48°19.563'N 123°36.373'W Frazer Island then following the easterly shoreline of Frazer Island to 48°19.700'N 123°36.267'W Frazer Island then to 48°19.633'N 123°35.681'W Vancouver Island then southerly following the Vancouver Island shoreline to the beginning point. |
| Bentinck Island | Bentinck_Island.png | Those waters of Eemdyk Passage in Subarea 20-5 that lie westerly of the meridian passing through 123°32.450' west longitude and northerly of a line: from 48°18.692'N 123°33.486'W to 48°18.640'N 123°32.916'W |
| Carmanah | Those waters of Subarea 20-1, Area 21, Subarea 121-1 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°37.350'N 124°45.847'W Vancouver Island then to 48°37.000'N 124°46.800'W in water then to 48°34.500'N 124°41.500'W in water then to 48°35.100'N 124°40.774'W Vancouver Island then following the Vancouver Island shoreline to the beginning point | |
| Race Rocks | Race_Rocks.png | Those waters of Subareas 19-3 and 20-5 that lie inside the 40 metre contour line surrounding Great Race Rock and Rosedale Rock as shown on Chart No. 3461, published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service of the Department. |
| Sooke Bay | Sooke_Bay.png | Those waters of Subareas 20-5 and 20-6 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°21.800'N 123°47.967'W Vancouver Island then following the shoreline in an easterly direction to 48°21.237'N 123°44.056'W Parsons Point then true south to 48°20.900'N 123°44.056'W in water then to 48°21.200'N 123°45.500'W in water then to 48°21.900'N 123°45.900'W in water then to 48°21.600'N 123°47.800'W in water then to the beginning point. |
Last updated: 2022-08-05 15:25:10
- Date modified: