BC Prawn Brood Stocks need your Urgent Help

Westview Marina & Lodge

The once excellent prawn fishing has gone down so fast that it is difficult to find more than a few prawns anywhere in Nootka or Esperanza. The local Sport Fish Advisory Committee has been working with DFO staff for years on this impending crash of the stocks.

We need your help. After you read the facts below and look at the graphs, please email the three key contacts from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) with your thoughts. Please also cc john@westviewmarina.com

  1. Hunter TooToo, Liberal Minister of DFO: Hunter.TooToo@parl.gc.ca & min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
  2. Rebecca Reid, Pacific Region Director General DFO: Rebecca.Reid@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
  3. Laura Brown, Acting Director, South Coast DFO: Laura.L.Brown@dfo-mpo.gc.ca     

FACTS:

As you may know, the local Sport Fish Advisory Committee (SFAC) has been working with the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) and its Shell Fish Working Group, and the Department of Fisheries since 2009 with regards to the commercial prawn harvest in Nootka Sound & Esperanza Inlet areas.

Why?

  • Because there are serious concerns about the Area 25 high use by commercial harvesters and the resulting sustainability and conservation issues surrounding local prawn stocks.
  • Because the commercial prawn harvest increased from 84,610 kgs/186,142 lbs in 2008 to 162,148 kgs/356,726 lbs in 2009 = 91.6% increase
  • Because the number of commercial vessels harvesting in Area 25 went from 7 in 2008 to 13 in 2010 = 85.7% increase
  • Because in 2011 the commercial prawn harvest increased again to 246500 kgs/542,300 lbs - that is an increase of 191.3% over 2008.
  • Because the number of commercial vessels harvesting in Area 25 increased again to 18 in 2011 = another 38.5% increase
  • Because the number of commercial vessels harvesting since 2008 increased to 18 in 2011 - this is an increase of 157%
  • Because  in 2011 the commercial prawn harvest was 246500 kgs/542,300 lbs and in 2014 the prawn harvest dropped to 137,320 kgs/302,104 lbs - that a decrease of 44.3%
  • Because in 2011 the commercial prawn harvest was 246500 kgs/542300 lbs and in 2015 the prawn harvest dropped to 40,506 kgs/89,113 lbs - that is a decrease of 116.4%

See the Graphs below:

×

1 of 3

PFMA_25_Prawn_Season_Length_2_small.jpg

Pacific Fishery Management Area 25

×

2 of 3

PFMA_25_Prawn_Vesselssmall.jpg

Pacific Fishery Management Area 25

×

3 of 3

PFMA_25_Prawns_and_Trap_Haulssmall.jpg

Pacific Fishery Management Area 25

There are likely other environmental factors involved in the steep decline in the number of harvestable prawns. However until those factor can be figured out the only tool we have to retain the critical remaining prawn brood stocks in Nootka and Esperanza, is to close all prawn harvesting, with the exception of Nations Food and Ceremonial (FSC) until this resource recovers.

Please send your emails NOW. The commercial fleet started harvesting in Area 25 last Wednesday, May 12 with much protesting from the Area 25 SFAC. The Department will make a decision this Friday, May 20 to Close Area 25 to Prawn harvesting or to continue destroying this valuable resource. Help us get the message through and protect the remaining prawn brood stocks.

Cathy & John Falavolito, Owner Operators, Westview Marina & Lodge - 250-934-7672 or 800-992-3252.