Canadian geoduck fishery facing nearly 40 percent closure of harvest area through MPAs

The geoduck fishery in British Columbia, Canada, is potentially facing the loss of up to half of its yearly catch through proposed marine protected areas (MPA) that would close access to fishing grounds.The MPA Network B.C. Northern Shelf Initiative Network Action Plan is proposing closures in a number of areas throughout the region, covering various areas of shoreline, kelp forest, and open ocean with different types of conservation designations. According to the Underwater Harvesters Association – which represents geoduck fishers in B.C. – a number of the areas in the network overlap with historic fishing grounds and could potentially jeopardize the viability of the fishery, as well as others like it in the province.“It will be disastrous for commercial fisheries in B.C. if it goes through as is,” Underwater Harvesters Association (UHA) Executive Director Grant Dovey told SeafoodSource during Seafood Expo North America (SENA) – which ran from 10 to 12 March in Boston, ...