Conservation-Based Harvesting - Plan Snow Crab Zone 14 - Season 2011
Sept-Iles, April 26th 2011
Species and Area
Snow crab, area 14 – Quebec region, North Shore area
Dates of season
The fishing season will be from May 1st to August 6th according to ice conditions with a 48 hours notice.
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).
Total Allowable Catches
Total allowable catches (TAC) are set at 407,33 t, 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 and by post season survey data suggesting a decrease of the commercial biomass.
The TAC is shared between the 21 traditional crabbers allowing for each to have an Individual quota of 19,39 t.
As announced at the last advisory meeting of snow crab area 14, 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.
Management Measures
Traditional crab fishermen will be authorized to use 75 standards traps or 150 Japanese traps;
Hail out is mandatory;
At sea observer’s coverage will be at a 2.5% rate;
100% dockside monitoring;
Closure of the zone upon attaining 20% of white crab
Buddy-up system will be authorized. Fish harvesters implicated in this agreement are authorized to use the following number of traps:150 standards size traps or 300 Japanese style traps. Landings will be accounted for according to the pro rata of the individual quotas of the two fish harvesters involved in a partnership agreement.
The discarding of white crab and adolescent crab is permitted this year, as stipulated on licence conditions.
Species at risk act
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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