Shellfish Limits...."possession"????

Pippen

Pippen

Well-Known Member
Hey Guys,

Was just having a look through the species/limits table for shellfish on the DFO site.

Is there such a thing as a "possession" limit? I thought there used to be (could very well be 100% mistaken)....not that I have ever gone over regardless but do not see ANY mention of a "possession" limit pertaining to shellfish.

Have emailed DFO but they are notoriously slow when I have emailed in the past.

Thanks.
 
In the old paper booklet (2013-2015) in the general discussion of licences, ethics, limits, etc for finfish & shellfish there is a bullet point on Page 7 under Daily and Possession Limits that says "Possession limits (the most fish you may have other than at your ordinary residence) are twice the daily limit of each species."

I think the intent is for possession to be twice the daily limit for all species and that the bracketed info is an attempt to give a concrete example) but I can see where some people would argue that since shellfish is no specifically mentioned then this is only meant for finfish.

Just found an updated wording regarding Possession Limit in the current digital sportfishing guide....http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/docs/SFG-GPS-2016-eng.pdf. Still open for nitpickers to argue.
 
Last edited:
seadog19 said:
try this site,

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/shelltable-tableaucoquille-eng.html
Click to expand...

Yes....well aware of the limits table as noted in my first post. Just don't see mention of any "possession limit" pertaining to any SHELLfish.

Ken J said:
I think the intent is for possession to be twice the daily limit for all species and that the bracketed info is an attempt to give a concrete example) but I can see where some people would argue that since shellfish is no specifically mentioned then this is only meant for finfish.

Just found an updated wording regarding Possession Limit in the current digital sportfishing guide....http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/docs/SFG-GPS-2016-eng.pdf. Still open for nitpickers to argue.
Click to expand...


Ya....I had seen that section of "what you can catch" but I sure would like to see the definition of the word "fish" in the glossary before I went for my "possession limit" of 400 prawns for 2 days. ;)

Daily limit
This is the maximum number of fish you can keep for each individual species,
regardless of the area where you caught the fish.
All the fish you catch in one day count towards your daily limit. This includes
fish from tidal and non-tidal waters and from different areas and subareas. For
example, if you fish in two different areas and the daily limit for coho in each area
is two, your daily limit is two coho, not four.
Daily limits for salmon are listed online (bcsportfishguide.ca). Daily limits for
other fish are listed in Fishing for Finfish (Other Than Salmon) and Fishing for
Shellfish in this guide, except for halibut. For current halibut limits, visit the DFO
website (bcsportfishguide.ca).

Possession limit
This is the maximum number of fish you can have in your possession at any given
time (i.e.: twice your daily limit, other than halibut), except for what is at your
“ordinary residence” (see glossary).
Click to expand...
​
 
I think I'll wait to hear it from the horse's .....errr.....I mean DFO's mouth.:p ;) :D
 
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agentaqua said:
as far as DFO is concerned - shellfish are also "fish".
Click to expand...

How sure are you? A clam is a fish?

Not trying to sound like an butt.....much like the BC hunting regs being confusing (at least they have a good definitions/glossary page)....there is no definition of "fish".
 
Pippen said:
How sure are you? A clam is a fish? Not trying to sound like an butt.....much like the BC hunting regs being confusing (at least they have a good definitions/glossary page)....there is no definition of "fish".
Click to expand...
No - it's agood question, Pippen - no worries. See:

Fisheries Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. F-14: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-14/FullText.html

Definitions
  • 2 (1) In this Act,

    Aboriginal, in relation to a fishery, means that fish is harvested by an Aboriginal organization or any of its members for the purpose of using the fish as food, for social or ceremonial purposes or for purposes set out in a land claims agreement entered into with the Aboriginal organization; (autochtone)

    analyst means a person who is designated under subsection 38(1) to perform the functions of an analyst; (analyste)

    Canadian fisheries waters means all waters in the fishing zones of Canada, all waters in the territorial sea of Canada and all internal waters of Canada; (eaux de pêche canadiennes)

    close time means a specified period during which fish to which it applies may not be fished, and “closed time” or “closed season” has a similar meaning; (période d’interdiction et période de fermeture ou saison de fermeture)

    commercial, in relation to a fishery, means that fish is harvested under the authority of a licence for the purpose of sale, trade or barter; (commerciale)

    fish includes
    • (a) parts of fish,

    • (b) shellfish, crustaceans, marine animals and any parts of shellfish, crustaceans or marine animals, and

    • (c) the eggs, sperm, spawn, larvae, spat and juvenile stages of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and marine animals; (poissons)
 
Ya gotta love DFO.....the reply to my inquiry worded specifically about Shellfish POSSESSION limits got a reply with a link to the species limits tables. Funny, I had noted in my email that I looked at the daily limits of 200 but inquired specifically if prawns (and all shellfish) could potentially have a possession limit of 400 being twice the daily limit of these "fish".

Too bad they couldn't have just replied "yes" or "no" to a possession limit being twice your daily limit on shellfish. :rolleyes:

May have to go with agentaqua's definition of "fish" as noted in post #8. ;)
 
Wonder what the daily limit for plankton is? Want some revenge pippen? Ask them this.
 
Finally got a confirmation.....and as trivial as it seemed I just wanted to confirm with no "possession limits" mentioned on the shellfish page.

With reference to a DFO contact who replied, yes possession limits on shellfish are also 2 times the daily limit. I kinda figured it was that way but wanted to ensure the definition of 'fish' also applied to shellfish.
 
Pippen said:
Ya gotta love DFO.....the reply to my inquiry worded specifically about Shellfish POSSESSION limits got a reply with a link to the species limits tables. Funny, I had noted in my email that I looked at the daily limits of 200 but inquired specifically if prawns (and all shellfish) could potentially have a possession limit of 400 being twice the daily limit of these "fish".

Too bad they couldn't have just replied "yes" or "no" to a possession limit being twice your daily limit on shellfish. :rolleyes:

May have to go with agentaqua's definition of "fish" as noted in post #8. ;)
Click to expand...

Here's your reply Pippen..."yes it is twice the daily limit" and I will get someone to change the website so its clear. Anything like that you guys notice in the future send an email to brad.beaith@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 
good to know, was up desolation sound this summer and had the same issue figuring out what we could bring back
 
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