It’s almost spot prawn season.
The time to celebrate this local and sustainable bounty, which happens to be the envy of seafood lovers around the world, is at the annual Spot Prawn Festival at Fisherman’s Wharf at 1505 West 1st Avenue.
Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 festival has been cancelled. Organizers tell Kitsilano.ca that they were hopeful but with the size of the event, it’s just not feasible.
That being said, you will be able to get your hands on those big, sweet, firm crustaceans this year. You’re just going to have to be patient.
The start date for the spot prawn commercial season has been pushed back – right now set as June 4th by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
“Mother’s Day weekend is usually the opening weekend, so people are coming in and asking for it and yeah, we don’t have it,” Cato Fege of Kitsilano’s 7seas Fish Market told CTV.
B.C. spot prawns are a lucrative business for fishermen and seafood shops as they’re a delicacy with a world-wide reputation for their sweet flavour and jumbo size.
The DFO has said the decision was made in collaboration with the industry, citing “marketing uncertainties,” B.C.’s provincial state of emergency and the 45-day suspension of all-sea observers as reasons for the postponement.
Last modified: May 11, 2020
