Ghost traps again!

[Fishallspec]

Sea Island coast guard joins fishery officers to seize illegal crab traps

Fisheries officers found 788 Dungeness crabs in illegally set traps, many of which were sealed.

www.richmond-news.com

Seems they do this every year and the numbers are always about the same!

 

[Hardy Guy]

I'm surprised its not more. The illegal crab fishery on the South Coast is equal to the legal fishery I've heard from C&P officers.

 

[gone fishin]

Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0110-Ghost Gear Removal - Area E - Area 20 - Salish Sea, Sooke Basin (20-5 to 20-7)

During the periods below authorized ghost gear retrieval crews will be surveying Sooke Basin and the surrounding south Salish Sea and removing crab, prawn, and shrimp traps that appear to be abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Retrieval vessels will be identifiable with a blue DFO Ghost Gear flag. All fishing gear that is marked with a floating tag or buoy, labeled with legible identifying information, and in good functional condition will be left in place.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Same thing every year, just a big headline to make it look something is being done. I bet the traps are returned to a certain demographic with an apology letter directly form Trudeau himself, and the traps are back in the water next day.

 

[agentaqua]

hopefully some of those traps are Scott Steer and associates' ones:

Nighttime crab poaching earns B.C. man 10-year commercial fishing ban, vessel seizure

Arthur Michael Nelson pleaded guilty to fishing for shellfish in a closed time, fishing without a licence and obstructing a fishery officer

www.vernonmorningstar.com

Government seeks to seize home of man guilty of illegal crab fishing off North Vancouver

Fisherman Scott Steer used the proceeds of crime to buy house and launder money, the director of civil forfeiture has alleged

www.squamishchief.com

 

[ship happens]

dfo knows damn well who's traps those are don't even get me started on that one. What a nightmare.

 

[Ryan A]

Good news, hopefully they follow it up with a Fraser River sweep this year

 

[kaelc]

My trap was caught in a mostly submerged firewood size piece of wood with an eyebolt in it and rope down to something today off Sidney spit, what ever it was didn’t seem to budge and between the wind/current I almost lost a finger. What’s the protocol for dangerous stuff like this? Will DFO deal with it or is it best to pull abandoned traps ourselves? The lines get pretty gross and I imagine it would have been tough to pull. 20-30 feet of water.

 

[Hardy Guy]

Call dfo. They are interested in gear that is not marked properly.

 

[trophywife]

Call dfo. They are interested in gear that is not marked properly.

At least Steer them in the right direction.

 

[Capt_Ed]

At least Steer them in the right direction.

How many will pick up up on that

 

[JWS]

How many will pick up up on that

At least one

 

[scott craven]

My trap was caught in a mostly submerged firewood size piece of wood with an eyebolt in it and rope down to something today off Sidney spit, what ever it was didn’t seem to budge and between the wind/current I almost lost a finger

I've heard of people doing this so their gear isn't recognized and pulled by thieves.
Not too bright...

 

[wildmanyeah]

How many will pick up up on that

only after your comment lol