BC tidal area 20 - Sooke, Port Renfrew: Recreational fishing limits, openings and closures
Licence holders must follow fishing regulations unless otherwise specified in the Conditions of Licence.
How to follow the rules
- Make sure you have a current BC Tidal Waters sport fishing licence with you at all times. Are you using the FishingBC App for electronic licensing and catch recording? Learn more.
- 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) Daily 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. The possession limit for most species is double the daily limit.
- (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 starts on April 1 and ends the following March 31. Check "Restrictions" under each section for annual limits by species.
- 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.
Related links
Area map
Area maps
This map is for information only and should not be used for fishing, navigation or other purposes.
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
- You must have a valid a salmon conservation stamp on your BC Tidal Waters sport fishing licence if you plan to retain salmon.
- You must immediately and permanently record all retained chinook salmon on your paper licence, your NRLS catch log or your NRLS-linked FishingBC app catch log.
- Learn more about fishing for salmon
Maps
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 20 | 45cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| Chum salmon | 20 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 20 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| Pink salmon | 20 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open |
| Sockeye salmon | 20 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon | Coastwide | Daily Limit Pieces | 4 - The daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon from tidal and fresh waters combined is four. Individual species limits also apply. |
| 20 | Gear Restriction | You are not allowed to harvest using the following gears and methods:
|
|
| Coastwide | Reminder | Hatchery (marked) salmon - Chinook and coho salmon with a healed scar in place of the adipose fin. | |
| Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | Beecher Bay | Daily Limit Pieces | 1 Combined Total * Consisting of no more than:
|
| 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. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | Keeping your chinook salmon? You must permanently record all retained catch (head-on length) on your Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The licence holder may alternatively record retained catch immediately in an electronic licence held in an approved third-party application linked to their National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) account, or if mobile internet access is immediately available, directly in their NRLS account. The licence holder shall ensure that all mandatory catch records for the current licence year are produced, either on the licence (paper or electronic), or from the licence holder's NRLS account at the time of inspection. |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Beecher Bay | Beecher Bay | That portion of Subarea 20-5 north of a line drawn from 48°19.554'N, 123°37.768'W to 48°19.589'N, 123°36.533'W, then following the shoreline of Frazer Island easterly to the RCA boundary at 48°19.700'N, 123°36.267'W, then to 48°19.633'N, 123°35.681'W |
| Coastwide |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Other finfish
Finfish other than salmon
- You must immediately and permanently record the following retained catch on your paper licence, your NRLS catch log or your NRLS-linked FishingBC app catch log.
- halibut
- lingcod caught in Areas 12 to 19 (excluding Subarea 12-14) and Subareas 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5
- Check the Restrictions for the current possession limit for Pacific halibut
- Learn more about fishing for finfish
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codfish | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 8 | Open | |
| Eulachon | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Finfish - all other species | 20 | angling, dip net, herring jig, herring rake, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Greenling | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| Halibut | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | |
| Herring | 20 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 20kg | Open | |
| Lingcod | 20-1 to 20-4 | 65cm | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open |
| 20-5 to 20-7 | 65cm | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | |
| Mackerel | 20 | angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving | 100 | Open | |
| Northern Anchovy | 20 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 20kg | Open | |
| Pacific sand lance | 20 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 5kg | Open | |
| Pacific sardine | 20 | angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving | 100 | Open | |
| Rockfish - Yelloweye | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye | 20-1 to 20-4 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| 20-5 to 20-7 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | ||
| Sablefish | 20 | angling | 4 | Open | |
| Sculpin | 20 | angling | 8 | Open | |
| Shark - Basking | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Blue | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Brown Cat | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Great White | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Salmon | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | |
| Shark - Sixgill | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Tope | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - all other species | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Skate | 20 | angling | 1 | Open | |
| Smelt | 20 | dip net, gill net | 20kg | Open | |
| Sole or Flounder | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 8 | Open | |
| Spiny Dogfish | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 4 | Open | |
| Surfperch | 20 | angling | 8 | Open | |
| Tuna - Albacore | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Tuna - Bluefin | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Tuna - all other species | 20 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| White Sturgeon | 20 | angling | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Wolf Eel | 20 | angling | 0 | Non Retention |
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (hatchery and wild combined) | 20 | 30cm | angling | 2 Combined Total * Consisting of no more than:
|
Open |
Last updated: 2025-05-16
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finfish - all other species | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Herring | Coastwide | 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 | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Coastwide | Reminder | Species includes - Pacific cod, Pacific tomcod, pollock and hake but does not include lingcod. | |
| Greenling | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Halibut | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Coastwide | Annual Limit Pieces | 10 - The coastwide total annual limit for halibut is 10 from all tidal waters that are open to halibut retention. | |
| Coastwide | Maximum Length Head On (cm) | 102 - The maximum overall length for halibut is 102 cm head-on, or 78 cm head-off. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | As a Condition of Licence, the possession limit is one (1) halibut. No person shall retain a halibut greater than 102 cm head-on length (78 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. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | You must permanently record all retained catch (head-on length) on your Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The licence holder may alternatively record retained catch immediately in an electronic licence held in an approved third-party application linked to their National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) account, or if mobile internet access is immediately available, directly in their NRLS account. The licence holder shall ensure that all mandatory catch records for the current licence year are produced, either on the licence (paper or electronic), or from the licence holder's NRLS account at the time of inspection. | |
| Lingcod | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| 20-5 to 20-7 | Annual Limit Pieces | 10 - The total annual limit for lingcod is 10 from the following tidal areas when they are open to lingcod retention - Areas 12 to 19 (excluding Subarea 12-14), Subareas 20-5 to 20-7, and 29-5. | |
| 20 | Reminder | Lingcod - Fillets, including the tail, must meet the minimum "head off" size limit of 53 cm (21 in). | |
| 20-5 to 20-7 | Reminder | Areas 12 to 19 (excluding Subarea 12-14), Subareas 20-5 to 20-7, and 29-5 - You must permanently record all retained catch on your Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The licence holder may alternatively record retained catch immediately in an electronic licence held in an approved third-party application linked to their National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) account, or if mobile internet access is immediately available, directly in their NRLS account. The licence holder shall ensure that all mandatory catch records for the current licence year are produced, either on the licence (paper or electronic), or from the licence holder's NRLS account at the time of inspection. | |
| 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). | |
| Perch | Coastwide | Reminder | Includes kelp, shiner and pile perch, and all species of surf and sea perch. |
| Rockfish | Coastwide | Reminder | 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 | 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). | |
| Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye | 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, 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. |
| Sole or Flounder | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| 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. |
Last updated: 2025-05-16
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Coastwide | ||
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim Park - all tidal waters within the park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124) |
Last updated: 2025-05-16
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. You can also see this in a map format by using our our real-time bivalve shellfish safety harvesting map.
- If no contamination closures are in effect, check species regulations and additional harvest restrictions.
- You are not allowed to harvest within the boundaries of an aquaculture facility. See our interactive map for currently licensed bivalve aquaculture facility locations or, where available, refer to signs and markers on the beach.
- 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 species combined | |
| 20-2 | Mussels - all species combined | |
| 20-3 | Mussels - all species combined | |
| 20-4 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 20-5 | Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific | |
| 20-6 | Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific | |
| 20-7 | Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Gear | Daily Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clam - Butter | 20 | hand digging, hand picking | 20 |
| Clam - Horse | 20 | hand digging, hand picking | 6 |
| Clam - Littleneck | 20 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - Manila | 20 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - Razor | 20 | hand digging | 12 |
| Clam - Softshell | 20 | hand digging | 25 |
| Clam - Varnish | 20 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - all species combined | 20 | hand digging, hand picking | 60 |
| Cockles | 20 | hand digging, hand picking | 25 |
| Geoduck | 20 | hand digging, hand picking | 3 |
| Mussel - Blue | 20 | hand picking | 75 |
| Mussel - California | 20 | hand picking | 25 |
| Mussels - all species combined | 20 | hand picking | 75 |
| Oyster - Olympia | 20 | 0 | |
| Oyster - all species except Olympia | 20 | hand picking | 12 |
| Scallop - Pink and Spiny | 20 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 75 |
| Scallop - Purple-hinged rock | 20 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Scallop - Weathervane | 20 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Scallop - Weathervane and Purple-hinged rock combined | 20 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Snail - Moon | 20 | hand picking | 2 |
| Snail - other | 20 | hand picking | 75 |
| Whelks | 20 | hand picking | 75 |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shellfish | Botanical Beach | Closed | any gear or method (year round ) |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Reminder | 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. | |
| Race Rocks | Closed | any gear or method (year round ) | |
| 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 | Only aquaculture operators are allowed to harvest within the boundaries of licenced aquaculture facilities. Please be aware of the location of aquaculture facilities in the areas close to where you are intending to harvest. | |
| 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. | |
| Clam - Butter | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 0 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 0 | |
| Clam - Horse | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 12 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 24 | |
| Clam - Littleneck | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 24 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 48 | |
| Clam - Manila | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 24 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 48 | |
| Clam - Razor | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 8 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 16 | |
| Clam - Varnish | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 24 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 48 | |
| Clam - all species combined | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 24 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 48 | |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Reminder | Pacific Rim National Park combined daily limit - 8 razors, 3 geoducks, 12 horse clams, 24 littleneck or manila clams, and 0 butter clams, and maximum of all clam species combined is 24. | |
| 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 | Reminder | Clam harvesters are encouraged to fill in holes to reduce predation on exposed juvenile clams. | |
| 20 | Reminder | It is illegal to use any mechanical apparatus or dredge for harvesting clams. | |
| Geoduck | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 3 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 6 | |
| Mussel - Blue | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 12 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 24 | |
| Mussel - California | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 12 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 24 | |
| Mussels - all species combined | Pacific Rim National Park | Daily Limit Pieces | 24 |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Possession Limit Pieces | 48 | |
| 20 | Reminder | Combined daily limit for all mussel species is 75. | |
| Oyster - all species except Olympia | 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. |
| 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. | |
| Snail - Moon | 20 | Reminder | Moon snails may be subject to PSP, check for closures. Consult your local DFO office for details. |
| Scallop - Purple-hinged rock | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Scallop - Pink and Spiny | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Scallop - Weathervane | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
Area descriptions
| Closure | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| 20.1 Sooke Harbour and Sooke Basin | 20.1.png | 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.png | 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.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Port San Juan, inside a line commencing at a point on land near Adze Head at 48°33.240' north latitude and 124°25.561' west longitude, extending northerly to a point in water at 48°33.719' north latitude and 124°25.609' west longitude, thence westerly to a point on land at 48°33.847' north latitude and 124°24.089' west longitude, thence following the shoreline southwesterly to a point on land near the San Juan River at 48°33.642' north latitude and 124°23.952' west longitude, thence southeasterly to a point on land at 48°33.569' north latitude and 124°23.908' west longitude, thence following the shoreline westerly to the point of commencement. [NAD 83] |
| 20.5 Becher Bay Marina, Becher Bay | 20.5.png | 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.png | 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.png | 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.png | 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.png | 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: 2025-05-07
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Beach | That portion of Subareas 20-2 and 20-3 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. | |
| Coastwide | ||
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim Park - all tidal waters within the park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124) |
| Race Rocks | Those portions of Subareas 19-3 and 20-5 inside the 40 m contour line surrounding Great Race Rock, North Race Rock, West Race Rock, and Rosedale Rock as shown on Chart No. 3461 and No. 3606, published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service of this Department; [Race Rocks] |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
Crab
Crab
- It is illegal to possess female Dungeness, King, Puget Sound King, Brown Box and Red Rock crabs. Female crabs must be released immediately. New
- Invasive European green crab
- Learn more about fishing for crab
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crab - Box | 20 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 1 | Open | |
| Crab - Dungeness | 20 | 165mm | dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap | 4 | Open |
| Crab - Dungeness and Red Rock combined | 20 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 4 | Open | |
| Crab - King | 20 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Crab - Puget Sound King | 20 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 1 | Open | |
| Crab - Red Rock | 20 | 115mm | dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap | 4 | Open |
| Crab - Shore | 20 | hand picking | 75 | Open | |
| Crab - other | 20 | dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap | 4 | Open |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shellfish | Botanical Beach | Closed | any gear or method (year round ) |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Reminder | 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. | |
| Race Rocks | Closed | any gear or method (year round ) | |
| Crab | Coastwide | Reminder | As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - Traps must be marked with a tag, float or buoy that has your name and telephone number 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 and telephone number to one end of the ground-line. |
| Coastwide | Reminder | As a Condition of Licence, crab traps are required to have two unobstructed circular escape holes or rings, measuring a minimum of 105 mm in diameter. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | Rot Cord - As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996, 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 | Reminder | Crab, prawn and shrimp floats - As a Condition of Licence, 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. | |
| Coastwide | 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. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | 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 | Reminder | As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - 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. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - A line or rope attached to a trap must be submerged in such a manner that the line or rope does not come into contact with a person or a boat. | |
| Crab - Box | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Crab - Dungeness | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| 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. | |
| Coastwide | Sex Restriction | It is prohibited to possess female Dungeness crab. | |
| Crab - Red Rock | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| 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. | |
| Coastwide | Sex Restriction | It is prohibited to possess female Red Rock crab. | |
| Crab - King | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| 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 | It is prohibited to possess female King crab. | |
| Crab - Puget Sound King | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Coastwide | Sex Restriction | As a Condition of Licence, it is prohibited to possess female Puget Sound King Crab. | |
| Crab - Brown Box | Coastwide | Sex Restriction | As a Condition of Licence, it is prohibited to possess female Brown Box Crab. |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Beach | That portion of Subareas 20-2 and 20-3 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. | |
| Coastwide | ||
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim Park - all tidal waters within the park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124) |
| Race Rocks | Those portions of Subareas 19-3 and 20-5 inside the 40 m contour line surrounding Great Race Rock, North Race Rock, West Race Rock, and Rosedale Rock as shown on Chart No. 3461 and No. 3606, published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service of this Department; [Race Rocks] |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
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 | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abalone | 20 | 0 | Closed | |
| Barnacles - Giant | 20 | diving | 6 | Open |
| Barnacles - Goose | 20 | hand picking | 2kg | Open |
| Invertebrates - all other species | 20 | angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand picking while snorkeling, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 20 | Open |
| Limpet | 20 | hand picking | 75 | Open |
| Octopus | 20 | angling, hand picking, hand picking while diving, trap | 1 | Open |
| Sand Dollar | 20 | hand picking | 6 | Open |
| Sea Cucumber | 20 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 12 | Open |
| Sea Star or Starfish | 20 | diving, hand picking | 6 | Open |
| Sea Urchin | 20 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 12 | Open |
| Shellfish - all other species | 20 | angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 20 | Open |
| Shrimp - Ghost | 20 | hand digging, hand pump | 50 | Open |
| Shrimp including prawn | 20 | ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 125 | Open |
| Squid - Opal | 20 | cast net, jigging | 200 | Open |
| Squid - all other species | 20 | cast net, jigging | 20 | Open |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shellfish | Botanical Beach | Closed | any gear or method (year round ) |
| Pacific Rim National Park | Reminder | 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. | |
| Race Rocks | Closed | any gear or method (year round ) | |
| Other Invertebrates | Coastwide | Reminder | Rot Cord - As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996, all open mesh octopus traps and shrimp/prawn 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 | Reminder | As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - Traps must be marked with a tag, float or buoy that has your name and telephone number 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 and telephone number to one end of the ground-line. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - A line or rope attached to a trap must be submerged in such a manner that the line or rope does not come into contact with a person or a boat. | |
| Coastwide | Reminder | 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. | |
| Barnacles - Giant | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Octopus | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Coastwide | Reminder | The use of sharp pointed instruments or chemicals is prohibited. | |
| Sea Cucumber | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Sea Urchin | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Shrimp including prawn | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Coastwide | Reminder | As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - 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 | Reminder | Crab, prawn and shrimp floats - As a Condition of Licence, 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. | |
| Sea Star or Starfish | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
| Shellfish - all other species | Pacific Rim National Park | Closed | diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round ) |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Beach | That portion of Subareas 20-2 and 20-3 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. | |
| Coastwide | ||
| Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim Park - all tidal waters within the park (portions of Areas 20 to 24, 121, 123 and 124) |
| Race Rocks | Those portions of Subareas 19-3 and 20-5 inside the 40 m contour line surrounding Great Race Rock, North Race Rock, West Race Rock, and Rosedale Rock as shown on Chart No. 3461 and No. 3606, published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service of this Department; [Race Rocks] |
Last updated: 2025-05-07
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: 2025-05-06
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Becher Bay East | Becher Bay East | 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 | 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 | 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. |
| Race Rocks Area of Interest | ||
| Sooke Bay | Sooke Bay | 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: 2025-05-06
- Date modified: