Archived – Sea Urchin - Area 12, Quebec Region

Species and Area

Sea urchin – area 12 (from Pointe de Natashquan to Blanc-Sablon), Quebec Region

Dates of season (subject to change)

From January 1st to December 31st, 2010

Management Measures

Number of licences:

12 exploratory licences (not transferable)

Minimum size:

50 mm width (excluding spines)

Fishing method:

Fishing with divers: A maximum of 4 divers authorized at all time, of which 3 can be in the water and 1 on stand-by aboard the vessel.

Fishing with trap: One hundred (100) statutory whelk traps of an external volume not exceeding 0.3m3 (10.6 f3) set with four (4) circular vents of a 44.45 mm diameter located at no more than 25.24 mm from the floor or a net with a mesh size of at least 102 mm square.

Restriction:

The use of traps is not allowed from May 15th to November 30th for the licence holders of whelk in area 8.

Tagging:

Each trap must bear a valid tag obtained from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

Logbook:

Obligatory logbook

Participation clause:

An annual participation clause of 225 kg could be applied. Catches must be recorded at DFO before December 31 of the current year by a buyer registered with the department.

Incidental catches:

Incidental catches cannot be retained.

Species at risk Act:

Pursuant to the Species at Risk Act (SARA), all by-catches of spotted wolffish, northern wolffish and leatherback Turtle must be returned to the water and released in the same location they were caught and, if the fish is still alive, with as little harm as possible. Moreover, information regarding interactions with species at risk must be provided in the Species at risk section of the logbook.

Licence condition:

A two working days deadline is necessary for the issuance of the licence conditions.