North Coast Adventure
Member
No overnight soaks for the recreational fishery – proposal
On behalf of the Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association (PPFA), we respectfully submit this proposal requesting that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) implement regulatory
amendments to prohibit overnight fishing activity in the recreational spot prawn fishery
throughout British Columbia’s coastal waters.
Rationale for the Proposed Change
The PPFA is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and responsible management of British Columbia’s spot prawn resource. Recreational trap fishing for spot prawns has grown in popularity in recent years, and with this growth, new patterns of fishing activity have
emerged—including operating traps on a shift basis through guides or charter services.
This continuous fishing effort results in:
1. Increased fishing pressure on local prawn populations beyond intended recreational levels;
2. Greater risk of trap loss due to vessel traffic, log booms, and environmental conditions during nighttime hours; and
3. Higher rates of ghost fishing, as lost traps continue to capture prawns and other species
unmonitored.
By eliminating overnight fishing, DFO would reduce overall fishing mortality, minimize the
number of traps lost to marine traffic, and significantly lower the amount of ghost fishing gear impacting the marine environment.
Proposed Management Approach:
The PPFA recommends that DFO adopt a regulation specifying that:
All recreational spot prawn traps must be hauled and removed from the water by [8pm] each day and may not be set or left fishing overnight.
This measure could be implemented through amendments to the conditions of the recreational tidal waters licence. The restriction would complement existing trap limits and conservation-based closures, helping to ensure the sustainability of prawn stocks in both the short and long term.
Expected Benefits:
• Conservation: Reduced cumulative harvest pressure and improved prawn escapement.
• Environmental protection: Fewer lost traps and reduced ghost gear impacts.
• Safety and fairness: Lowered risk of nighttime vessel conflicts and equitable access among recreational participants.
• Alignment with sustainability goals: Reinforces DFO’s objectives under the Sustainable Fisheries Framework and Canada’s Ghost Gear Initiative.
Conclusion:
The Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association believes that eliminating overnight fishing in the recreational spot prawn fishery is a straightforward and effective measure to enhance sustainability and stewardship of this valuable resource. We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with DFO and the SFAB on the development, communication, and implementation of this regulation.
On behalf of the Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association (PPFA), we respectfully submit this proposal requesting that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) implement regulatory
amendments to prohibit overnight fishing activity in the recreational spot prawn fishery
throughout British Columbia’s coastal waters.
Rationale for the Proposed Change
The PPFA is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and responsible management of British Columbia’s spot prawn resource. Recreational trap fishing for spot prawns has grown in popularity in recent years, and with this growth, new patterns of fishing activity have
emerged—including operating traps on a shift basis through guides or charter services.
This continuous fishing effort results in:
1. Increased fishing pressure on local prawn populations beyond intended recreational levels;
2. Greater risk of trap loss due to vessel traffic, log booms, and environmental conditions during nighttime hours; and
3. Higher rates of ghost fishing, as lost traps continue to capture prawns and other species
unmonitored.
By eliminating overnight fishing, DFO would reduce overall fishing mortality, minimize the
number of traps lost to marine traffic, and significantly lower the amount of ghost fishing gear impacting the marine environment.
Proposed Management Approach:
The PPFA recommends that DFO adopt a regulation specifying that:
All recreational spot prawn traps must be hauled and removed from the water by [8pm] each day and may not be set or left fishing overnight.
This measure could be implemented through amendments to the conditions of the recreational tidal waters licence. The restriction would complement existing trap limits and conservation-based closures, helping to ensure the sustainability of prawn stocks in both the short and long term.
Expected Benefits:
• Conservation: Reduced cumulative harvest pressure and improved prawn escapement.
• Environmental protection: Fewer lost traps and reduced ghost gear impacts.
• Safety and fairness: Lowered risk of nighttime vessel conflicts and equitable access among recreational participants.
• Alignment with sustainability goals: Reinforces DFO’s objectives under the Sustainable Fisheries Framework and Canada’s Ghost Gear Initiative.
Conclusion:
The Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association believes that eliminating overnight fishing in the recreational spot prawn fishery is a straightforward and effective measure to enhance sustainability and stewardship of this valuable resource. We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with DFO and the SFAB on the development, communication, and implementation of this regulation.
