BC tidal area 25 and 125 - Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet: 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 25: Download a printable PDF version of this map.
Area 125: Download a printable PDF version of this map.
Click thumbnail to enlarge image.
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
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 25,125 | 45cm | barbless hook and line | 2 | Open |
| Chum salmon | 25,125 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 25,125 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| Pink salmon | 25 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| 125 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open | |
| Sockeye salmon | 25,125 | 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. |
| 25,125 | 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) | Seaward Portions Areas 123 to 127 | Daily Limit Pieces | 0 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coastwide | ||
| Seaward Portions Areas 123 to 127 | Seaward Portions Areas 123 to 127 | Those portions of Areas 123 to 127, seaward of the line drawn from Pacheena Point lighthouse at 48º43.327' N 125º 05.855' W then to 48º42.456' N 125º 06.583' W seaward of Pachena Point, then to 48º 46.420' N 125º13.997' W seaward of Cape Beale, then to 48º54.572' N 125º33.622' W seaward of Amphitrite Point, then to 49º05.100' N 125º54.646' W seaward of Cox Point, then to 49º10.280' N 126º04.790' W seaward of Blunden Island, then to 49º16.472' N 126º15.140' W seaward of Rafael Point, then to 49º20.008' N 126º17.188' W seaward of Sydney Inlet, then to 49º23.807' N 126º24.483' W seaward of Hesquiat Point, then to 49º21.620' N 126º28.478' W seaward of Matlahaw Point, then to 49º22.113' N 126º33.508' W seaward of Estevan Point, then to 49º23.869' N 126º35.333' W seaward of Homais Cove, then to 49º27.766' N 126º35.971' W seaward of Split Cape, then to 49º 31.494' N 126º 35.669' W seaward of Escalante Point, then to 49º34.042' N 126º41.611' W seaward of Maquinna Point, then to 49º36.254' N 126º50.538' W seaward of Bajo Point, then to 49º39.892' N 126º55.125' W seaward of Skuna Bay, then to 49º44.400' N 127º00.289' W seaward of Ferrer Point, then to 49º50.767' N 127º10.151' W seaward of Tatchu Point,then to 49º59.142' N 127º28.125' W seaward of Lookout Island, then to 50º06.948' N 127º41.617' W seaward of Jackobson Point, then to 50º03.599' N 127º47.722' W seaward of Clerke Point, then to 50º05.868' N 127º57.906' W seaward of Solander Island, then to 50º19.284' N 128º00.130' W seaward of Lawn Point, then to 50º31.501' N 128º14.238' W seaward of Topknot Point, then to 50º35.683' N 128º19.249' W seaward of Cape Palmerston, then to 50º39.280' N 128º23.459' W seaward of Winifred Island, then to 50º41.116' N 128º24.166' W seaward of Cape Russell, then to 50º44.137' N 128º26.559' W seaward of Strange Rock, then to 50º47.926' N 128º27.363' W seaward of Cape Scott, then to Frederiksen Point. |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Other finfish
Finfish other than salmon
- You must immediately and permanently record all retained halibut on your paper licence, your NRLS catch log or your NRLS-linked FishingBC app catch log.
- 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 | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 8 | Open | |
| Eulachon | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Finfish - all other species | 25,125 | angling, dip net, herring jig, herring rake, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Greenling | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| Halibut | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | |
| Herring | 25,125 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 20kg | Open | |
| Lingcod | 25,125 | 65cm | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open |
| Mackerel | 25,125 | angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving | 100 | Open | |
| Northern Anchovy | 25,125 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 20kg | Open | |
| Pacific sand lance | 25,125 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 5kg | Open | |
| Pacific sardine | 25,125 | angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving | 100 | Open | |
| Rockfish - Yelloweye | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| Sablefish | 25,125 | angling | 4 | Open | |
| Sculpin | 25,125 | angling | 8 | Open | |
| Shark - Basking | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Blue | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Brown Cat | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Great White | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Salmon | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | |
| Shark - Sixgill | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Tope | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - all other species | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Skate | 25,125 | angling | 1 | Open | |
| Smelt | 25,125 | dip net, gill net | 20kg | Open | |
| Sole or Flounder | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 8 | Open | |
| Spiny Dogfish | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 4 | Open | |
| Surfperch | 25,125 | angling | 8 | Open | |
| Tuna - Albacore | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Tuna - Bluefin | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Tuna - all other species | 25,125 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| White Sturgeon | 25,125 | angling | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Wolf Eel | 25,125 | angling | 0 | Non Retention |
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (hatchery and wild combined) | 25,125 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Coastwide | Reminder | Species includes - Pacific cod, Pacific tomcod, pollock and hake but does not include lingcod. |
| Halibut | 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 | 25,125 | Reminder | Lingcod - Fillets, including the tail, must meet the minimum "head off" size limit of 53 cm (21 in). |
| 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 | 25,125 | 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. |
| 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 |
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 25-1 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-2 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-3 | Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific | |
| 25-4 | Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific | |
| 25-5 | Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific | |
| 25-6 | Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific | |
| 25-7 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-8 | Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific | |
| 25-9 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-10 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-11 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-12 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-13 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-14 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-15 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 25-16 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 125-1 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 125-2 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 125-3 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 125-4 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 125-5 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 125-6 | Closed to All Bivalve Species |
Last updated: 2025-05-16
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Gear | Daily Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clam - Butter | 25,125 | hand digging, hand picking | 20 |
| Clam - Horse | 25,125 | hand digging, hand picking | 6 |
| Clam - Littleneck | 25,125 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - Manila | 25,125 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - Razor | 25,125 | hand digging | 12 |
| Clam - Softshell | 25,125 | hand digging | 25 |
| Clam - Varnish | 25,125 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - all species combined | 25,125 | hand digging, hand picking | 60 |
| Cockles | 25,125 | hand digging, hand picking | 25 |
| Geoduck | 25,125 | hand digging, hand picking | 3 |
| Mussel - Blue | 25,125 | hand picking | 75 |
| Mussel - California | 25,125 | hand picking | 25 |
| Mussels - all species combined | 25,125 | hand picking | 75 |
| Oyster - Olympia | 25,125 | 0 | |
| Oyster - all species except Olympia | 25,125 | hand picking | 12 |
| Scallop - Pink and Spiny | 25,125 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 75 |
| Scallop - Purple-hinged rock | 25,125 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Scallop - Weathervane | 25,125 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Scallop - Weathervane and Purple-hinged rock combined | 25,125 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Snail - Moon | 25,125 | hand picking | 2 |
| Snail - other | 25,125 | hand picking | 75 |
| Whelks | 25,125 | hand picking | 75 |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 - all species combined | 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. |
| 25,125 | Reminder | Clam harvesters are encouraged to fill in holes to reduce predation on exposed juvenile clams. | |
| 25,125 | Reminder | It is illegal to use any mechanical apparatus or dredge for harvesting clams. | |
| Mussels - all species combined | 25,125 | Reminder | Combined daily limit for all mussel species is 75. |
| Oyster - all species except Olympia | 25,125 | 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 | 25,125 | Reminder | Moon snails may be subject to PSP, check for closures. Consult your local DFO office for details. |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Area descriptions
| Closure | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| 25.1 Friendly Cove, Nootka Island | 25.1.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Friendly Cove, lying inside a line drawn from the westernmost tip of the unnamed island north of San Rafael Island at 49°35.63' north latitude and 126°36.92' west longitude, and thence due north to a point on land on Nootka Island at 49°35.81' north latitude and 126°36.92' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.12 Queen Cove | 25.12.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore at the head of Queen Cove, from a point on land on the east side of the cove at 49°52.44' north latitude and 126°58.89' west longitude, thence in a straight line northwesterly to a point on land on the west side of the cove at 49°52.58' north latitude and 126°59.17' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.15 Ceepeecee | 25.15.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore at Ceepeecee, Esperanza Inlet, northerly of a straight line drawn from a point of land at 49°52.37' north latitude and 126°43.00' west longitude thence southeasterly to a point on land at 49°52.32' north latitude and 126°42.68' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.16 Esperanza | 25.16.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore at the community of Esperanza, Esperanza Inlet, within a 300 m radius of a point at the mouth of Cover Creek located at 49°52.30' north latitude and 126°44.59' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.19 Allman Lagoon | 25.19.png | The intertidal foreshore surrounding the unnamed group of islands south of the entrance to Allman Lagoon. The group of islands is 67 meters in height, and is centered at 49°42.10' north latitude and 126°31.78' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.20 Valdes Bay | 25.20.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Valdes Bay, east of a line drawn from a point of land at 49°43.80' north latitude and 126°29.32' west longitude northwesterly to a point of land at 49°43.91' north latitude and 126°29.45' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.21 Jewitt Cove | 25.21.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Jewitt Cove, Strange Island, south of a line drawn from a point of land at 49°41.52' north latitude and 126°36.10' west longitude true west to a point on land at 49°41.52' north latitude and 126°36.20' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.22 Galiano Bay | 25.22.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Galiano Bay, southeast of a line drawn from a point of land at 49°43.14' north latitude and 126°28.00' west longitude southwesterly to a point of land at 49°42.75' north latitude and 126°28.69' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.25 Bligh Island, land file #1408086 | 25.25.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Bligh Island, within a distance of 25 meters from the outer perimeter of the floating living accommodation located at or near 49°39.34' north latitude and 126°32.60' west longitude, within aquaculture tenure land file #1408086. [NAD 83] |
| 25.26 Plumper Harbour | 25.26.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Plumper Harbour, Kendrick Inlet, within a distance of 125 meters from the outer perimeter of the floating living accommodation located at or near 49°41.64' north latitude and 126°38.12' west longitude, adjacent to aquaculture tenure land file #1406265. [NAD83] |
| 25.28 Plumper Harbour, Nootka Island | 25.28.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore at the southern end of Plumper Harbour on Nootka Island, lying within a distance of 240 m of the head of the unnamed cove located at 49°41.37' north latitude and 126°37.78' west longitude. The radius intersects the Nootka Island shore at 49°41.43' north latitude and 126°37.96' west longitude and 49°41.43' north latitude and 126°37.61' west longitude and the Funter Island Shore at 49°41.50' north latitude and 126°37.78' west longitude and 49°41.48' north latitude and 126°37.67' west longitude. [NAD 83] |
| 25.29 Marvinas Bay, Nootka Island | 25.29.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore in Marvinas Bay, Nootka Island, within a distance of 125 m from the outer perimeter of the floating living accommodation located at or near 49°39.71' north latitude and 126°37.44' west longitude. [NAD 83] |
| 25.3 Kendrick Inlet, Nootka Island | 25.3.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Kendrick Inlet, Nootka Island, within a 300 meter radius of the logging camp dock at 49°43.40' north latitude and 126°38.99' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.30 Northwest side of Bligh Island | 25.30.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore in the bay on the northwest side of Bligh Island inside a line from a point of land on Bligh Island at 49°39.86' north latitude and 126°31.90' west longitude southwesterly to the northernmost point on the unnamed islet at 49°39.82' north latitude and 126°32.00' west longitude, thence following the eastern shoreline to the southwesternmost point of the islet at 49°39.77' north latitude and 126°32.04' west longitude, thence southeasterly to a point of land at 49°39.72' north latitude and 126°31.98' west longitude on Bligh Island, and thence following the shoreline to the point of commencement. [NAD 83] |
| 25.32 Head Bay, Tlupana Inlet | 25.32.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore in Head Bay, Tlupana Inlet, within a distance of 125 m from the foot of the Canton Creek Lodge dock located at 49°47.78' north latitude and 126°28.88' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.33 Moutcha Bay, Tlupana Inlet | 25.33.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore surrounding the Moutcha Bay Lodge site in Tlupana Inlet, lying inside a line drawn in a 125 m radius from any point on the perimeter of the infrastructure encompassing the dock, sewage outfall pipe, and fish holding pens at the Conuma hatchery docks. The closure commences from a point on land in the west at 49°47.31' north latitude and 126°27.83' west longitude, ending at a point on land in the east at 49°47.36' north latitude and 126°27.30' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.34 Moutcha Bay, Tlupana Inlet | 25.34.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Moutcha Bay, Tlupana Inlet, inside a line drawn from the point on land located at 49°47.40' north latitude and 126°27.07' west longitude, thence southeasterly to a point on land located at 49°47.09' north latitude and 126°26.79' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.35 Newton Cove, Espinosa Inlet | 25.35.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Newton Cove, on the southwest side of Espinosa Inlet, within a distance of 500 m from the outer perimeter of the floating living accommodation located at or near 49°52.45' north latitude and 126°56.58' west longitude. [NAD 83] |
| 25.42 Unnamed Bay, west side of Head Bay | 25.42.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of the small bay at the west side of Head Bay, from a point on land at 49°47.47' north latitude and 126°29.45' west longitude, thence southeasterly to a point on land at 49°47.27' north latitude and 126°29.33' west longitude.' [NAD 83] |
| 25.43 Head of Tahsis Inlet | 25.43.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore at the head of Tahsis Inlet, inside a line drawn from a point of land at 49°54.60' north latitude and 126°38.96' west longitude thence southwesterly to a point of land at 49°54.32' north latitude and 126°39.79' west longitude. [NAD 83] |
| 25.44 - Head of Port Eliza | 25.44.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of the head of Port Eliza, northwest of a line drawn from a point of land at 49°56.27' north latitude and 127°03.04' west longitude easterly to a point on land at 49°56.42' north latitude and 127°02.57' west longitude. [NAD 83] |
| 25.45 Espinosa Inlet, Esperanza Inlet | 25.45.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of the bay in northwest Espinosa Inlet containing landfile 1411097, located easterly of a line drawn from a point on land at 49°58.607' north latitude and 126°56.606' west longitude, thence southwesterly to the opposite point on land at 49°58.442' north latitude and 126°56.447' west longitude. [NAD 83] |
| 25.7 Three Cove Bay | 25.7.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Three Cove Bay, east of the narrow entrance with a northern boundary of 49°41.51' north latitude, 126°29.52' west longitude, and a southern boundary of 49°41.49' north latitude, 126°29.53' west longitude [NAD 83]. |
| 25.8 Kleeptee Creek | 25.8.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore fronting Kleeptee Creek in Williamson Passage, inside of a line from a point on land at 49°39.49' north latitude and 126°22.78' west longitude, thence northwesterly across the bay to a point on land at 49°39.85' north latitude and 126°23.01' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 25.cc Esperanza Inlet | 25.cc.png | Pacific Fisheries Management Subareas 25-9 and 25-13 |
Last updated: 2025-05-16
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Coastwide |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
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 | 25,125 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 1 | Open | |
| Crab - Dungeness | 25,125 | 165mm | dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap | 6 | Open |
| Crab - Dungeness, Red Rock and King combined | 25,125 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 6 | Open | |
| Crab - King | 25,125 | dip net, diving, ring net, trap | 2 | Open | |
| Crab - Puget Sound King | 25,125 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 1 | Open | |
| Crab - Red Rock | 25,125 | 115mm | dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap | 6 | Open |
| Crab - Shore | 25,125 | hand picking | 75 | Open | |
| Crab - other | 25,125 | dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap | 4 | Open |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crab | Gold River | Dioxin Contamination (g/w) | 70 - Consumption of crab hepatopancreas should not exceed 70g/week in those waters of Muchalat Inlet lying east of the Gold River Harbour limit, and in those waters of Muchalat Inlet lying east of a line between Anderson Point and Atrevida Point. |
| 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 - Dungeness | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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: 2025-05-06
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Coastwide | ||
| Gold River | Waters of Muchalat Inlet lying east of the Gold River Harbour limit, and in those waters of Muchalat Inlet lying east of a line between Anderson Point and Atrevida Point. |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
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 | 25,125 | 0 | Closed | |
| Barnacles - Giant | 25,125 | diving | 6 | Open |
| Barnacles - Goose | 25,125 | hand picking | 2kg | Open |
| Invertebrates - all other species | 25,125 | 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 | 25,125 | hand picking | 75 | Open |
| Octopus | 25,125 | angling, hand picking, hand picking while diving, trap | 1 | Open |
| Sand Dollar | 25,125 | hand picking | 6 | Open |
| Sea Cucumber | 25,125 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 12 | Open |
| Sea Star or Starfish | 25,125 | diving, hand picking | 6 | Open |
| Sea Urchin | 25,125 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 12 | Open |
| Shellfish - all other species | 25,125 | angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 20 | Open |
| Shrimp - Ghost | 25,125 | hand digging, hand pump | 50 | Open |
| Shrimp including prawn | 25,125 | ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 125 | Open |
| Squid - Opal | 25,125 | cast net, jigging | 200 | Open |
| Squid - all other species | 25,125 | cast net, jigging | 20 | Open |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | |
| Octopus | Coastwide | Reminder | The use of sharp pointed instruments or chemicals is prohibited. |
| Shrimp including prawn | 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 | 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 | 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. |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Coastwide |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Protected areas
Protected areas
Learn about permanent restrictions that are in effect:
| Area | Type | Closure name |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | Marine Protected Area | Endeavour Hydrothermal Vent Marine Protected Area |
| 125-1 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Estevan Point |
| 125-2 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Estevan Point |
| West of Bajo Reef | ||
| 125-3 | Rockfish Conservation Area | West of Bajo Reef |
| 125-5 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Estevan Point |
| 125-6 | Marine Protected Area | The Tang.ɢ̱wan - ḥačxwiqak - Tsig̱is (TḥT) |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Endeavour Hydrothermal Vent Marine Protected Area | Endeavour Hydrothermal Vent Marine Protected Area | The area is bounded by a line drawn from a point at 47°54'N, 129°02'W, from there west to a point at 47°54'N, 129°08'W, from there north to a point at 48°01'N, 129°08'W, from there east to a point at 48°01'N, 129°02'W, and from there south to the point of beginning. |
| Estevan Point | Estevan Point | Those portions of Subareas 24-1, 124-3, 124-4, 125-1, 125-2 and 125-5 that lie inside of a line that: begins at 49°23.526'N 126°27.818'W north of Matlahaw Point then to 49°19.500'N 126°23.900'W in water then to 49°17.000'N 126°31.200'W in water then to 49°22.100'N 126°44.700'W in water then to 49°25.067'N 126°34.598'W Hesquiat Peninsula then following the southerly shore of Hesquiat Peninsula to the beginning point. |
| The Tang.ɢ̱wan - ḥačxwiqak - Tsig̱is (TḥT) | The Tang.ɢ̱wan - ḥačxwiqak - Tsig̱is (TḥT) | All geographical co-ordinates are provided in the North American Datum 1983, Canadian Spatial Reference System (NAD83, CSRS). All lines joining the geographical co-ordinates of points are interpreted as rhumb lines, except where noted. General Zone: Those portions of Pacific Fishery Management Subareas 123-9, 124-1, 124-2, 125-6, 126-3, 126-4, 127-2, 127-4, and 130-1, inside a line commencing from: A point in water at 51° 11' 59.72" N and 130° 53' 14.52" W, then southeasterly to a point in water on the western boundary of the Scott Islands Protected Marine Area at 50° 42' 11.25" N and 130° 03' 57.11" W then southerly following the western boundary of the Scott Islands Protected Marine Area to 50° 24' 19.30" N and 130° 00' 37.40" W, then southeasterly following the boundary of the Scott Islands Protected Marine Area to 50° 13' 47.65" N and 129° 31' 56.53" W, then southeasterly to 50° 00' 55.77" N and 129° 16' 17.54" W, then southerly to 49° 09' 41.86" N and 129° 01' 38.30" W, then southeasterly to 47° 38' 28.92" N and 127° 08' 06.36" W, then southwesterly following the boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone to 46° 31' 36.69" N and 129° 07' 45.25" W, then northwesterly following the boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone to 49° 36' 55.05" N and 134° 47' 46.12" W, then northeasterly back to the point of commencement. |
| West of Bajo Reef | West of Bajo Reef | Those portions of Subareas 125-2 and 125-3 that lie inside a line that:begins at 49°37.900'N 127°01.111'W in water then to 49°37.900'N 126°52.600'W in water then to 49°33.500'N 126°52.600'W in water then to the beginning point. |
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Last updated: 2025-05-06
- Date modified: