Conservation Harvesting Plan - Snow Crab Area 16 Season 2011
Species and Area
Quebec Region, Sept-Îles
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) released today its management plan for Snow Crab Area 16 (Middle North-Shore).
Area 16 is composed of 59 regular snow crab licence holders, including 3 First Nations sharing 12 licences. These are split out in two administrative groups, Group A and Group B.
As announced at the last advisory meeting of snow crab area 16, the Minister will proceed with the application of quota reconciliation starting this season. Therefore, all individual quota overrun by a licence holder during the 2011 season will be deducted from his 2012 individual quota on a one-for-one basis. It is of the responsibility of the licence holder to respect the allocation he is granted (QIT and QI) while taking into consideration his transfers and landings and to take the necessary arrangements before departing for a fishing expedition to have the necessary quota to cover its presumed harvest.
Total allowable catch (TAC) and sharing agreements
The 2011 TAC is established at 3 685.6 tonnes, which is a reduction of 20 % compared with last year. The reduction is explained by a decrease of the commercial harvest capture rates during the 2010 season, by landings composed of a majority of recruits and by post season survey data suggesting a decrease of the commercial biomass.
Group A Fish harvesters’ Management Measures:
Group A’s 39 licence holders will have access to 3 416.6 tonnes (92.7 % of the overall allocation) in the form of individual 87 604 kg quotas.
The fishing season will open April 11th at 0500 hours to close July 17th, 2011 at midnight. Industry and DFO representatives will form an Ice Committee responsible for confirming this date. The opening date may be changed as a result of ice conditions preventing access to fishing grounds or presenting potential hazards to the Fleet.
Despite the 20 % quota reduction, group A licence holders will be authorized 100 standard traps (or 200 Japanese traps). This measure is temporary for the 2011 season and may be reduced in 2012.
Temporary transfers not exceeding the 50 % maximum as set out in the administrative rules will be authorized.
Group B Fishers Management Measures:
Group B’s 20 licence holders will have access to 269 tonnes (7.3 % of the overall allocation) in the form of 13 452 kg individual quotas.
The fishing season will open April 15th (or 4 days after Group A’s opening date) at 0500 hours to close on July 17th, 2011 at midnight.
Number of authorized traps: 35 standard traps or 70 Japanese traps. For licence holders allowed significant temporary transfers (total of over 8 000 kg) the number of traps will be 50 standards or 100 Japanese traps.
Temporary transfers of a maximum of 50 % will be authorized only between Group B fishers and according to Group B’s administrative rules.
Group A & B Management Measures:
Dockside Monitoring will be of 100 %
At-sea Observer coverage is established at 10 %;
Closure of the area upon reaching a 20 % soft-shell catch.
Mandatory Hail-Outs.
All data to be transmitted in kilograms.
Soft-shell and adolescent crab release is allowed, as stipulated in licence conditions.
Regular snow crab licence holders of zone 16 groupe B will not be allowed to lease a boat owned by a regular licence holder of zone 16 Group A and vice versa.
There will be no extensions of the season for other than exceptional circumstances out of the control of the industry or the DFO (ex. late ice).
Under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), all Spotted Wolffish, Northern Wolffish and Leatherback Turtle by-catch shall be released where it has been caught and, if the fish is still alive, in a manner that will cause it the least possible injury.
Pursuant to the Species at Risk Act (SARA), no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual or any part or derivate of a wildlife species designated as extirpated, endangered or threatened.
At the time this Management Plan is promulgated, the Atlantic species targeted by these measures are the following ones : Spotted wolffish, Northern wolffish, Leatherback Turtle and Atlantic Walrus (Northwest Atlantic population). New species could be added to the SARA within the year.
All by-catches of species identified above must be returned to the water and released in the exact capture location and, if the specimen is still alive, with as little harm as possible. In addition, fish harvesters must complete the SARA logbook.
Licence Conditions
Licence conditions may be obtained by contacting any of our Area Offices. Licence conditions are normally issued within two or three working days. Fish harvesters will have to make formal agreements with the dockside monitoring and at-sea observers companies before contacting the DFO for the licence’s issue.
For additional information
Jean Morisset
Acting Chief, Resource Management, Aboriginal Fisheries and Species at Risk
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
North Coast Area
418 962-6314
Clément Beaudoin
Acting Area Chief, Conservation and Protection
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
North Coast Area
418 962-6314
Links to other information
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