Recreational harvesting in Boundary Bay causing concern both sides of the border

  • Page Views 733
  • • Extreme seasonal low tides and the good weather have led to a significant increase in illegal recreational shellfish harvesting in the Boundary Bay area (Area 29).
    • DFO fishery officers regularly patrol this area, and adjacent beaches, for enforcement and public education outreach, however, due to the Pandemic health and travel restrictions and economic pressures, many new harvesters who may not be familiar with the rules, regulations and public health and stock conservation concerns, are fishing for the first time in those areas.
    • These non-traditional harvesters may not be aware that the entire lower mainland, including Boundary Bay, is closed to the harvest of bivalves because of sanitary reasons and the risk of toxic shellfish poisoning.
    • Plus, a significant number of recreational harvesters who are aware of the rules, chose to ignore them, and the numerous posted signs in the area that warn of the closures and health risks associated with consuming those bi-valves.
    • The current low tides are also enabling recreational harvesters to access areas that are beyond the US/Canada markers that denote the border line and some Canadians are crossing this, sometimes unknowingly, and illegally entering the US to access flounder and crab.
    • Any incursions across the border are viewed by US authorities as illegal and could pose serious consequences for harvesters. Potential charges could range from unauthorized crossing of the US border and being in America without authority, to multiple Washington State fishing violations including fishing without a licence and failure to comply with Washington State size and possession limits, plus other US prohibitions.
    • There are also Canadian rules and regulations that must be complied with when harvesting recreational shellfish, and other species, which are strictly enforced by DFO fishery officers. For Area 29, these include:
    o the daily limit for legal-sized Dungeness crab is four per licenced individual;
    o the combined Dungeness and Red Rock crab limit, is four in total, with no retention of shore crab permitted.
    o Harvesters cannot retain undersized crab – for Dungeness the minimum size limit is 165mm and for Red Rock it is a minimum of 115mm.
    • Due to significant conservation concerns and the importance of protecting breeding stocks, the Department has zero tolerance for the retention of undersized crab, or female crabs.
    • Gross overfishing and retention can also lead to serious fines, ranging from $100 up to $1000 per violation, and legal consequences, including an automatic court appearance requirement at a certain fine level, plus the potential seizure of gear, vessels and vehicles.
    • Harvesters can be charged with multiple violations which result in cumulative automatic fines including:
    o $100 for fishing without a licence;
    o $250 for fishing in a closed area;
    o $150 for catch and retain one more than the daily quota, plus $50 for each additional fish/shellfish up to $1000;
    o $150 for fishing with prohibited gear or by prohibited method;
    o $150 for catch and retain one undersized crab, plus $50 for each additional undersized crab, up to a maximum of $1000,
    o failure to forthwith return fish to water or failure to release in the least harmful manner is $50 for each animal;
    o molest or injure a fish is $250, i.e. using any sharp pointed device (such as rakes or spears), to harvest crab. This is illegal since it damages the carapace or shell protecting internal organs.
    o failing to comply with licence conditions, i.e. prohibited retention of female crab;
    o possess fish or shellfish which cannot be readily measured (i.e. removing the carapace from a crab) is $50 each up to $1000, plus an automatic Court Appearance Notice for numbers possessed over and above that.
    • Other species that harvesters can fish in the area include fish such as flounder and sole, but they are also covered by rules and regulations. The daily possession of flounder/sole in Boundary Bay is 8 per person, they cannot be caught with a net, nor can they be speared; finfish such as flounder or sole must be caught by rod and reel only.
    • Everyone participating in fishing activities must know and abide by the rules, which can be found on the DFO website. Each harvester must have a valid tidal waters sport fishing licence, even children under 16 who do not have to pay a fee, but still need a licence and must fish their own quota.
    • DFO has a mandate to protect and conserve marine resources and to prosecute offenders under the Fisheries Act. It ensures and promotes compliance with the Act and other laws and regulations through a combination of land, air, and sea patrols, as well as education and awareness activities.
    • As part of DFO’s work to end illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

    The following links provide more information:
    • Shellfish harvesting and safety (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)
    • Crab harvesting information – BC sport fishing guide | Pacific Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)
    • Recreational harvesting information for Area 29 – https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/a-s29-eng.html

    Share

    New Posts Recently publish post More

    • 23 November 2023
      5 days ago No comment

      GET THE LATEST ON THE FILIPINO CANADIAN COMMUNITY: JOIN “PINOY BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA TODAY” ON FACEBOOK!

      Want to get the latest scoop on what’s going on in the Filipino Canadian community? A new Facebook community is going live, and it’s called “Pinoy British Columbia Canada Today”. “Pinoy British Columbia Canada Today” will be the go-to place for all to share information, the latest news, events, ...

    • 16 November 2023
      2 weeks ago No comment

      Canada hails release of Leila de Lima

      November 16, 2023 — Canada has welcomed the release of former Philippine senator Leila de Lima from jail. De Lima, who was a vocal critic of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, has spent more than six years in detention due to drug-related criminal cases. A former justice secretary during the time ...

    • 09 November 2023
      3 weeks ago No comment

      Christopher de Leon bares why he accepted ‘When I Met You In Tokyo’ directorial job

      MANILA, Philippines — Veteran actor Christopher De Leon revealed why apart from being the lead actor, he accepted the role of serving the associate director of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry “When I Met You In Tokyo.” In an interview with the media, De Leon said that he ...

    • 09 November 2023
      3 weeks ago No comment

      Jose Mari Chan, Zack Tabudlo to serenade Vancouver in November 10 concerts

      Two of the biggest names in Philippine music are set to delight audiences in two separate Vancouver concerts this Friday (November 10). Christmas comes early for Filipinos as icon Jose Mari Chan and the country’s premier vocal group The CompanY are set to stage a Christmas-themed concert in North ...

    • 09 November 2023
      3 weeks ago No comment

      Catriona Gray back as backstage correspondent for Miss Universe 2023

      MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is returning as a Miss Universe backstage correspondent for the pageant’s 72nd edition. Joining Gray backstage is her partner last year, Emmy award-winner and “American Ninja Warrior” co-host Zuri Hall. Television host Jeannie Mai Jenkins and another former Miss Universe Olivia ...

    %d bloggers like this: