I would like to answer another question that did not come in to the Ask A Cop column, but rather found its way across my desk this week. QUESTION:
What are the rules around fishing for crabs along the North Shore's waterfront?
Many people enjoy catching crabs in our local waters, often off the shores of Cates Park, but also in many locations along the North Shore coastline. Most people who do so use traps. I say "most," because I have to account for those who may use the technique I used when I was very young.
My brother and I would whittle a sharp, barbed tip on a tree branch to fashion a spear. At low tide, one of us would slowly row our dinghy through the shallows while the other would lie near the bow and spear any crab that was large enough to keep. Although a little more barbaric than a trap, the technique was very effective, and we would regularly haul in our quota within about 30 minutes.
For the more civilized trappers, a few rules must be followed.
If a trap is set in open water, the hauling line must be attached to a buoy. The hauling line should be weighted so it doesn't float on the surface and risk becoming tangled in a boat's propeller.
According to sport fishing regulations, the buoy must also be clearly labeled with the owner's name. If it is not, it may be seized by either fisheries officers, or officers from the North Vancouver RCMP who frequently patrol North Shore waters.
In order to facilitate the return of seized or wayward gear, the placement of a phone number on the buoy is also recommended, though this is not a statutory requirement.
. . .
QUESTION:
Is it legal for a driver heading south on 20th Street, which has a stop sign, to turn left onto Marine Drive when the east-west stoplight is red in order to allow a pedestrian to cross Marine in the righthand pedestrian crosswalk?
Thank you,
J P Ramsay
Dear Mr. Ramsay:
Thank you for your question.
If you are referring to the intersection of 20th Street and Marine Drive in West Vancouver, then yes, it is legal to do so, albeit with a few provisos. You must first come to a complete stop at the stop sign, behind the white painted stop line, as is required by Section 186 MVA.
You must position your vehicle correctly, and turn into the nearest available lane on Marine Drive - in this case, most likely the left lane. Presuming there is a pedestrian in the vicinity who ought to be informed of your intention to turn, you must also be sure to use a turn signal as stipulated by Section 170 MVA.
In the scenario you present, it seems the pedestrian is walking through the crosswalk either towards or away from the direction your vehicle is facing, but on your right.
You wish to turn to the left, away from the path of the pedestrian. This creates no concern because your respective paths will not intersect.
