This panel is 1/8th shorter

R E C O R D I M P O RTA N T I N F O R M AT I O N
VIOLATION WITNESSED Date
DD MM YY Tear along perforated line

Perf.

Time

am pm

VEHICLE, VESSEL OR AIRCRAFT DESCRIPTION Vehicle licence no. Model Unusual marks DETAILS OF VIOLATION Location Species taken Pollution Other Name (if known) Sex Weight Hair Physical marks or scars Clothing Peculiarities Other evidence Remarks Age Height Eyes Beard/moustache How taken Colour

W H AT C A N YO U D O TO STOP ABALONE POACHING?

ITS EASY! THERE ARE TWO MAIN THINGS YOU CAN DO:
Dont eat abalone unless you are sure it has been caught legally. Be an intelligent consumer. Ask the restaurant or seafood store where they got their abalone. They should be able to provide you with enough answers so that you feel comfortable the abalone has not been obtained illegally. If you have any doubts, dont buy abalone.

WITNESS(es) Name Address Tel.

Report Poachers If you suspect poaching is going on in your community, or if you suspect the abalone you are buying was poached, call the toll-free Observe, Record, Report line: 1-800-465-4336.

Please act immediately. With timely, accurate information, an apprehension leading to conviction can often be obtained without it being necessary for you to appear as a witness.

POACHING IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS. IT IS UP TO YOU TO HELP SAVE THIS THREATENED SPECIES.

Call toll free:

Greater Vancouver: 604-666-3500

1-800-465-4336
Perf.

Call toll free:

Greater Vancouver: 604-666-3500

1-800-465-4336

STOP ABALONE POACHING

W H AT YO U N E E D TO K N OW. W H AT YO U C A N D O TO H E L P.
The northern, or pinto abalone attaches itself to rocks by its large foot. Its shell then becomes home to a myriad of undersea plant life.

Why is abalone designated as threatened?

What are the penalties for poaching?

Abalone was declared to be threatened in 1999. Stocks were declining at such a rate that if something was not done immediately the species would become endangered. Despite the total closure of all BC abalone fishery in 1990 the stocks have not recovered. Clearly the biggest problem is the illegal harvest.
How serious is poaching?

The maximum penalty for poachers is $500,000 and two years in jail. Recent fines have been $1,000 per abalone. Restaurants and seafood sellers caught selling poached abalone also face charges of up to $500,000 and two years in jail.
What else is Fisheries and Oceans Canada doing to save the abalone?

What is abalone?

Abalone is a marine snail related to clams, scallops, k Harbo Photographs Ric squid, and octopus. The northern, or pinto, abalone is the only abalone found commonly on the British Columbia coast. Abalone are slow growing and may live for up to 15 years. Historically the abalone has important food, ceremonial, and social value for First Nations. The shells are used for jewelry and decoration and the muscular foot is eaten. Currently there is high demand for abalone f lesh in Asia and the United States.
Where is abalone found?

It is extremely serious! It is a huge threat to the rejuvenation of the species. Poaching depletes the number of abalone and impairs reproductive abilities because poachers take mature abalone that would be able to breed. The poaching occurs on a scale
Photograph courtesy of Bryan Jubinville

The underside of an abalone showing the edible muscle.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also undertaking stock rebuilding experiments to develop a broader understanding of biological and ecological interactions, and to increase breeding success. The plan includes development of abalone aquaculture to learn more about abalone and rebuild the wild population. The department is working on a genetic marker database to help fishery officers identify illegal abalone in the marketplace.
ne alo d Ab worl in

Abalone is found all over the world and legal fisheries exist in a number of areas. The first known harvest was in Japan in 30 AD. In the Pacific, northern abalone is found from Alaska to Mexico. Abalone occur at depths from inter-tidal to 100 metres. Abalone are fond of kelp so they congregate on kelp beds where they feed on kelp fragments.

What are Community Stewardship Programs?

Illegally caught northern abalone seized by fishery officers.

i m sap a rk r i z ets ed s ea .

food delicacy

significant enough to cause a severe conservation risk. In addition to depleting the stock, the illegal harvest has an economic effect on coastal communities. As long as the illegal harvest continues, abalone will not rebuild and there will be no possibility of any fishery reopening.
What is Fisheries and Oceans Canada doing to catch poachers?

Community stewardships are partnerships between local community groups, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, and Environment Canada. They concentrate on stock assessment and habitat surveys, improving habitat, and developing education and awareness initiatives. Programs at Bamfield and Malcolm Island are testing the viability of farming abalone.
Partnerships:

Northern abalone shell is not as brightly coloured as abalone found in warmer waters.

Haida Gwaii Abalone Stewards Bamfield Huu-ay-aht Community Abalone Project Malcolm Island Shellfish Cooperative Kitasoo Abalone Stewardship Project Gwasala-Nakwaxdaxw Nation Heiltsuk Fisheries Program

Shell photograph Rick Harbo,

Abalone shell is a material traditionally used in the artwork of Northcoast aboriginal peoples.

Fishery officers investigate an alleged abalone poaching violation on average once a month. Since 1997 there have been 34 incidents leading to 23 convictions. Enforcement officers take a two-pronged approach. They work undercover patrolling fishing boats and beaches to catch poachers in the act. They also visit restaurants and seafood sellers to ensure that any abalone sold has not been caught illegally.