Submitted by Kelly Poirier
Uu-a-thluk Outreach Coordinator
August 10, 2006
There
is about 75% non-compliance in the recreational, commercial and FIrst
Nations crab traps.
In
the last year there has been an unusually high number of crab trap seizures
of recreational, commercial, and First Nations traps. Most traps are not
properly marked, and some are fishing in areas that are closed or set
aside for Fisrt Nations food fisheries.
At the Uu-a-thluk Joint Technical Working Group meeting on July 14th, Conservation and Protection Supervisor Ron Kehl asked for assistance in letting people know how to mark their traps and fish legally to avoid having your traps seized by DFO.
Seizing traps is not only a problem for the fishermen; DFO has problems transporting and storing all the traps seized in the last year. Dealing with the traps takes Fisheries Officers and patrol vessels away from other duties. There is a large amount of time that is required to impound, process and transport the seized traps. Unclaimed traps go to auction at the end of the year.
There is about 75% non-compliance in the recreational, commercial and First Nations crab traps. For the future of WCVI crab stocks it is important to have all harvesters comply with the trap regulations.
All fishermen should make sure their traps are legal so that their gear and equipment is not seized. Please take this opportunity to mark your gear and follow the proper procedures and regulations as required by the schedule pertaining to your crab fishing license.
For First Nations food (home use) fishermen, all traps need to be clearly marked with a floating buoy with your name and the name of your First Nation. Every trap also needs a section of mesh made of untreated cotton (no greater than #120) that will eventually rot away in case the trap is lost or the line comes off. This "rot cord" panel must be a minimum size of 7cm by 20cm (about 3 by 8 inches) if a rectangle, or 11cm by 11cm (about 4.5 inches a side) if square.
So,
mark your buoys and fix your traps with a rot cord panel to keep your
crab traps in the water and out of the DFO warehouse!
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