New 2019/2020 regulations for all British Columbia tidal waters

New 2019 / 2020 fishing regulations are in force for the BC coast tidal waters. Changes to the regulations which include closures, with salmon species and ground fish Cod species. There are 37 species of rockfish that are caught in fisheries off the coast of British Columbia. Inshore rockfish species (which include yelloweye, quillback, copper, china, and tiger) are usually caught with hook and line gear in rocky reef habitats. Monitoring and research programs in B.C. indicate that inshore rockfish, especially within the inland waters of Vancouver Island, are at low levels of abundance. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) needs your help to protect and conserve inshore rockfish. Since 2002, catch restrictions, fishery monitoring, stock assessment programs, and Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) have been established throughout the B.C. coast. DFO’s rockfish conservation strategy is designed to alleviate further rockfish population declines. Within RCAs, inshore rockfish are protected from all mortality associated with recreational and commercial fisheries.

Rockfish conservation areas

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February 28, 2018October 13, 2018

BC Halibut Fishery Opens Coast Wide March 1st 2018

FN0144-RECREATIONAL – Fin Fish (Other than Salmon) – Halibut: 2018 Fishery Opening March 1 2018 and Management Measures in Effect Until March 31, 2018

Halibut

Category(s): RECREATIONAL – Fin Fish (Other than Salmon)

Fishery Notice – Fisheries and Oceans Canada Subject: FN0144-RECREATIONAL – Fin Fish (Other than Salmon) – Halibut: 2018 Fishery Opening March 1 2018 and Management Measures in Effect Until March 31, 2018 For 2018, the recreational fishery allocation of Halibut is 927,990 pounds.The following measures will be in effect as noted below. Further updates on the fishing regulations for April 1, 2018 will be provided later in March 2018. COAST-WIDE Open time:Effective at 00:01 hours March 1, 2018 fishing for Halibut will be opened coast-wide until further notice. Licensing:The 2017/2018 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licences and Conditions of Licence, remain in effect until 23:59 hours March 31, 2018. Limits and sizes:[Effective March 1, 2018 until further notice]-The maximum length for Halibut is 133cm.-The daily limit for Halibut is one (1). -The possession limit for Halibut is two (2), only one (1) of which may be over 83cm in length.-The annual limit is six (6) Halibut per licence holder, as set out on the 2017/2018 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.-All halibut retained by the licence holder shall be immediately recorded on the 2017/2018 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The area from which each Halibut is caught and its length shall immediately be recorded on the licence. The exceptions to these openings are: Areas 121:No person shall fish for or retain Halibut, Rockfish and Lingcod in Area 121 outside the 12 nautical mile limit seaward of a line that begins at 48 degrees 34.000 minutes and 125 degrees 17.386 minutes W and continues south easterly at a bearing of 116 degrees True to a point at 48 degrees 28.327 minutes and 125 degrees 01.687 minutes W. Area 121:Closed to all finfish, year round in the waters of Swiftsure Bank, inside a line from 48 degrees 34.00 minutes N and 125 degrees 06.00 minutes W, thence to 48 degrees 34.00 minutes N and 124 degrees 54.20 minutes W, thence to 48 degrees 29.62 minutes N and 124 degrees 43.40 minutes W, thence following the International Boundary between Canada and the U.S. to 48 degrees 29.55 minutes N and 124 degrees 56.20 minutes W, thence in a straight line to the point of commencement. Variation Orders: 2018-81 (Close Time) and 2018-82 (Quota) Non-residents of Canada wishing to fish for and retain Halibut in Management Areas 121, 23 and 123 must purchase an electronic licence through a Canadian vendor. NOTE: Rockfish Conservations Areas (RCA’s) remain in effect – refer to the following website for descriptions:http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/restricted-restreint/rca-acs-eng.htm. FOR MORE INFORMATION:Contacts: Brad Beaith (South Coast) – (250)756-7190Peter Katinic (North Coast) – (250)559-8330Carole Eros (604)666-7089. Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center – FN0144Sent February 28, 2018 at 10:57Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

April 1, 2017March 30, 2019