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Sustainable Management Fishery Management
Sustainable Management Fishery Management | Fishery Management |
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The geoduck fishery in Canada is highly committed to maintaining a sustainable and viable resource for today and tomorrow. 
Geoduck stocks are managed based on a conservative target exploitation rate of 1.2 to 1.8%. This means that each year fisheries managers and scientists at the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) try to set quotas such that only 1.2 to 1.8% of the current biomass (existing stocks) are harvested. The exploitation rate is set so low because of the geoducks long life span. In addition, both their natural mortality, and the recruitment of juveniles to the stocks are estimated to be low. Therefore, a conservative approach is taken by DFO in order to maintain a sustainable fishery. The target rate has been established utilizing various computer models that test different fishing strategies and incorporate available information on growth, mortality, recruitment, abundance estimates and methods of harvesting.
Another sustainable characteristic of the fishery is the proven low impact method of harvesting with high pressure water hoses which liquefy the sand around the geoduck. This harvest technique is also very efficient, with little or no by-catch. The only by-catch in the geoduck fishery are horse clams, which are included in the UHA members’ licenses. At present, there is no directed fishery for horse clams and fishers only take them when they are harvested incidentally with geoducks. Horse clam landings average around <1 - 3 % of the geoduck landings. 
The portions of the geoduck stocks which are not available for harvest act as insurance for years to come. These include all geoducks below 60 feet where the present fishery stops (geoducks have been found to depths of 330 feet or more). Industry and DFO have set aside many areas that are closed to commercial geoduck harvesting. These include three long term research plots, sensitive habitat areas for other animals, parks and university research closures. For more detailed information on the management of the geoduck fishery, integrated management plans, and fishery openings, please see: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/shellfish/Geoduck/default.htm The UHA and its members are committed to sustainable fishing practices and have ratified the Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations. The UHA has done an assessment of the implementation of the Code in the geoduck and horse clam fishery in B.C. For more information about the Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations please see: http://www.responsiblefisheries.com/ |
