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Proactive Disclosure

Proactive Disclosure

Archived – Snow Crab Fishing Area 12F (Québec-Gulf)

Archived Content

Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.

Species and area

Snow crab fishing area F is located in the gulf of St-Lawrence northeast of the Magdalen Islands.

Dates of season (subject to change)

The targeted opening date for the fishery is April 12 at 3:00 AM (Atlantic Daylight Time) subject to weather conditions. The fishing season will end July 17, 2010 at midnight (Atlantic Daylight Time).

Total Allowable Catches and Sharing Arrangements

In the context of developing the Precautionary Approach for all of the southern Gulf snow crab fishing areas, the first step has been completed with the identification of interim reference points. The next steps in the process, decision rules, will be developed in the coming months. However, the interim reference points are considered in the decisions of the southern Gulf snow crab fishing areas.

The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is established at 420 tonnes. It is shared as follows:

The quota for the 11 regular Québec crabbers (68,75%) is 288.75 tonnes;
The quota for the 7 regular Nova Scotia crabbers (31,25%) is 131.25 tonnes;

Management Measures

20% At-sea observer coverage;
75 mm maximum mesh size;
Release of adolescent and soft-shell crab allowed;
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS);
100% dockside monitoring;
Soft-shell protocol by sector and by zone;
Temporary transfers based on ITQ administrative rules;
Two licence holders from Area 12F will be allowed to fish on one boat with 150% of the number of traps normally permitted;
One Area 12F licence holder from Québec will be allowed, on demand and following certain conditions, to use the boat of an Area 12 licence holder from Québec to fish in Area 12F;
In addition, all landings will be weighed in kilograms to the closest decimal point using a weigh scale with a built-in electronic memory.

Species at risk

As indicated in Section 73 of the Species At Risk Act, the following species must be returned to the water immediately and, when the fish is alive, in a manner that causes it the least harm: Northern wolffish, Spotted wolffish and Atlantic Leatherback turtle.

Links to other information

Facts on Canadian Species