Archived – Sea Urchin, Fishing Areas 9, 10 and 11

Species and region

Sea urchin

Fishing areas

Area 9: From Pointe-au-Pic to Pointe-des-Monts inclusive
This area includes sub-area 9-1 and is accessible to licence holders in its entirety, except for the restrictions stated in this management plan.

Sub-area 9-1 (area at the mouth of the Saguenay River): In this document, the term “sub-area 9-1” refers to the new sub-area officially established in 2010, encompassing Batture aux Alouettes, Baie Sainte-Catherine and Batture de la Pointe-aux-vaches. Consult the latitude and longitude coordinates set out in the licence conditions.

Area 10: From east of Pointe-des-Monts to west of the bridge over the Sheldrake River

Area 11: From east of the bridge over the Sheldrake River to Pointe-de-Natashquan inclusive

Dates of season (subject to change)

Area 9 and sub-area 9-1: March 21 to December 31, 2010

Areas 10 and 11: April 1 to December 31, 2010

Management measures

Number of licences:

Area 9: 7 exploratory licences (non transferable), of which 5 have exclusive access to sub-area 9-1

Area 10: 10 exploratory licences (non transferable)

Area 11: 10 exploratory licences (non transferable)

New management measures for sub-area 9-1

For 2010, the following management measures will be in effect:

Implementation of a management regime based on fishing effort. For 2010, the number of fishing days in sub-area 9-1 will be 80 days.

Creation of two groups of licence holders: group A and group B.

Group A consists of the following fishers:

• Alain Boucher
• Jacques Morneau
• Daniel Yockell

Group B consists of the following fishers:

• Pessamit band council
• Essipit band council

The exploratory licences held by the licence holders in both groups will become permanent in 2010.

Division of fishing days between the two groups:

Group A will be allocated 67% of the fishing days, i.e. 22.335% or 18 fishing days per licence holder.

Group B will be allocated 33% of the fishing days, i.e. 16.5% or 13 fishing days per licence holder.

Temporary transfers: For 2010 and 2011, group B licence holders will be allowed to transfer 100% of their fishing days to group A licence holders. No group A licence holder may receive more than 50% of group B’s fishing days.

Vessel monitoring system (VMS): The VMS (black box) is mandatory.

Hailing: Hailing will be mandatory, as set out in the licence conditions.

Minimum harvest size: 50 mm wide (excluding the spines)

Fishing method

• Diving: A maximum of four divers per vessel at any given time, i.e. three diving and one waiting aboard.
• Traps: 100 legal whelk traps, fitted with four circular vents measuring 44.45 mm in diameter and located not more than 25.24 mm from the bottom frame, with a maximum external volume not exceeding 0.3 cubic metres (10.6 cubic feet) and a trap net with a mesh size of at least 102 mm fitted on a square frame. The use of traps is prohibited within the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.

Restriction on simultaneous fishing

• Area 9: The use of traps is prohibited from April 1 to October 5.
• Area 10: The use of traps is prohibited from April 13 to November 13.
• Area 11: The use of traps is prohibited from April 13 to October 12.

Tagging: Every trap must bear a valid tag, which the fisher must obtain from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

Logbook: The logbook is mandatory.

Participation requirement

• Area 9: For the 2010 season, the applicable Area 9 participation requirement for licence renewal in 2011 will be 13,608 kg. Landings must be registered with DFO by December 31, 2010, by a DFO-registered buyer.
• Areas 10 and 11: A participation requirement of 227 kg for licence renewal in 2011 may be applied in areas 10 and 11.

Vessel rentals: Renting vessels from outside the North Shore is prohibited.

Bycatches: No bycatch may be kept.

Species at Risk Act (SARA): Under SARA, all bycatches of spotted wolffish, northern wolffish and leatherback sea turtle must be returned to the place from which they were taken and, where they are still alive, in a manner that causes them the least harm. In addition, data on these bycatches must be entered in the bycatch section of the Logbook.

Annual advisory committee: The next advisory committee meeting will be in 2011.

Licence conditions: The issuance of licence conditions requires 72 working hours. To obtain licence conditions, fishers must have a valid agreement with an at-sea observation firm, where necessary, before applying to the area office.

For more information

Jean Morisset
A/Chief, Resource Management, Aboriginal Fisheries and Species at Risk
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
North Shore Area
418-962-6314

Andrew Rowsell
Area Chief, Conservation and Protection
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
North Shore Area
418-962-6314