BC Tidal Waters Zones & D.F.O. Sport Fishing Regulations.

Know the BC tidal waters fishing zones. (D.F.O.) BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Regulations.

Source: First time fishing for Prawns? What you need to know when heading out on the Pacific tidal waters – https://www.fishoncharters.ca/area-17-prawn-closures-regulations/

Our local area waters are watched by other boaters, the RCMP Marine division, and the DFO surveillance sources. It’s just sometimes better to hire a fishing guide and then relax and fish.

Most guides are professional skilled and trained to know their job. Most professional guides are Transport Canada licensed and commercial insured. We study hard to know the regulations and stay informed in the commercial development of the regulations of our industry.

FISHING REGULATIONS / AREA 17, 23, 123 & 29 DFO MAPS

21 April 201924 March 2022

BC tidal waters current fishing regulations

BC tidal waters current fishing regulations:

Changes to the regulations which include closures for salmon species and ground fish Cod species.

British Columbia have 37 species of rockfish. They are caught in fisheries off the coast, plus inshore rockfish species.

This includes: Yelloweye, Quillback, Copper, China, and Tiger. These fish are normally caught with a hook and line gear, in rocky reef habitats.

Monitoring and research programs in B.C. indicate that inshore rockfish are at low levels of abundance. This is especially within the inland waters of Vancouver Island,

Fisheries and Oceans Canada needs your help. We are working to protect and conserve inshore rockfish.

In 2002 the D.F.O. started the “catch restrictions” and “fishery monitoring” and created “stock assessment programs”. The D.F.O. implemented (Rockfish Conservation Areas,RCAs) which are established throughout the B.C. coast.

Department of Fisheries & Oceans (D.F.O.)

The Rockfish Conservation Area’s make inshore rockfish protected from all mortality associated with recreational and commercial fisheries.

Rockfish Conservation Areas:

Quick Links:

Pacific salmon:

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pacific-salmon-pacifique/index-eng.html

Salmon are iconic to BC coastal and inland waters, connecting communities across the region.
DFO strive to ensure healthy, diverse salmon populations continue to produce.
Monitoring our ocean for sustaining aquatic ecosystems.

25 February 20191 April 2022

VANCOUVER ISLAND FISHING CHARTERS | Salmon fishing hot spot!

During the next few fishing seasons ahead the DFO are needing to close some Salmon species. This means NO RETAINING CHINOOK SALMON NOW. Instead we must catch and immediately release them. April 1st. to July 31 most southern Pacific ocean waters in BC area shut down for keeping the Chinook salmon.

Captain Brent charter’s his 32 foot 1979 Trojan sport fishing boat. She is named “Mariah” and based at Stone’s Marina in Nanaimo.

Captain Brent and myself provide fishing charters. Both our boat’s work well providing a stable fishing platform. The Mariah stays based in Nanaimo. The MyBabeToo can be moved easily. I can tow her to the west coast, reaching more abundant fishing areas.

The issue’s with fishing on the west coast are the winds blow and the rain hits hard. Also another more serious effect is the waves and rollers. Some people need to overcome loss of balance or sea sickness when planning to fish on the open Pacific ocean.

Captain Brent and me work well together on our boats. Both boats are comfortably equipped. Mariah has features which include a large galley and apartment sized fridge. A stove with an oven, hot & cold pressure water, private washroom with electric flush toilet. Spacious amount of seating room inside and out. Our goal is to provide quality comfortable fishing charters for family’s and groups of ten or less.

3 February 20192 April 2022

Recreational rockfish harvesters fined total of $15,000 for overfishing near Egmont on BC’s Sunshine Coast – Canada.ca

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2018/09/recreational-rockfish-harvesters-fined-total-of-15000-for-overfishing-near-egmont-on-bcs-sunshine-coast.html

From: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News release

Sechelt, British Columbia — A group of recreational harvesters were found guilty in Sechelt Provincial Court on June 21, 2018 of violations of the Fisheries Act committed in the Egmont area, on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast.

The Honourable Judge Steven Merrick ordered Li-Chao Tang to pay a fine of $5,000, be prohibited from recreational fishing in tidal waters for one year, plus forfeit a seized vessel, all of its contents, and all of the associated fishing gear, valued at approximately $15,000.

Judge Merrick fined Cho Cheung and Kwong Tzang $3,500 each, fined Yu Tong $3,000, and ordered the same one year fishing prohibition for all three men.

In his findings Judge Merrick stated that: “Their conduct was reprehensible. A clear message must be sent to Mr. Tang and others that you must check fisheries regulations and they must be followed.”

In his comments Justice Merrick also noted that the public interest in protecting the fisheries is hardly trifling, that everyone needs to understand. There really is just a limited number of fish in the sea, whether it be recreational or commercial.

Any failure to follow fisheries regulations is serious. As stewards of our environment it is incumbent on the Court to impose fines that reflect society’s condemnation of a serious environmental issue.

The Government of Canada is committed to safeguarding the long-term health and productivity of Canada’s fisheries resources. Plus the habitat that supports them for generations to come.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada 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 Fisheries and Oceans Canada’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.

Additional multimedia

This photo was used as evidence in the Court case

Quick facts

The violations of the Fisheries Act occurred May 1, 2017.
The violations were observed by fishery officers conducting a surveillance operation to protect vulnerable rockfish populations.
The group was found in possession of 15 rockfish, 11 of which were over their daily possession limits.
Yelloweye are one of the largest rockfish species and can live up to 115 years, reaching a maximum recorded length of 91 cm and weight of 11.3 kg. They are a highly prized species by all user groups.
Possession limits are calculated to maximize recreational opportunities while attempting to rebuild Yelloweye Rockfish populations which are currently a species of concern under the Species At Risk Act.
Given the large number of recreational fishery participants in BC, the effect of illegal fishing (fishing during closed times, in closed areas, exceed fishing limits, failing to report catch) by even a small proportion of recreational harvesters can have a significant negative impact on the fisheries resource. Persistent illegal harvest could result in the curtailment of fishing opportunities for all recreational Rockfish harvesters, contrary to the goals of stability and predictability.
The whole lower mainland of Vancouver is closed to rockfish harvesting and the majority of the BC Coast is closed to the retention of Yelloweye rockfish this year.