Area 13 Snow Crab (Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador Regions)

Area 13 Snow crab Fishing Area is located along the Quebec Lower North Shore and Newfoundland & Labrador Regions.

Dates of season (subject to change)

The fishing season will open on May 1st, 2011 at 4h30 AM (Eastern Daylight Time) or 6:00 AM (Newfoundland Daylight Time) and close on August 6th, 2011, subject to the white crab protocol. There will be no extension of the fishing season. The fishing period for the Newfoundland-based fish harvesters will be from May 1st to July 23, 2011 and May 15th to August 6th for Quebec fish harvesters.

Total Allowable Catches and Sharing Arrangements

Total allowable catch (TAC) is set at 188 tonnes, and is distributed as follows:

• Quota for the 43 traditional crabbers of Quebec (87,75%) of 164,98 tonnes;
• Quota for the 6 traditional crabbers of Newfoundland (12,25%) of 23,02 tonnes.

Management Measures

• Number of traps : 75 standard or 150 Japanese
• At-Sea Observer coverage: minimum 2.5% from May 1st to July 23 and the coverage will be increased for one trip covered per week from July 23 to August 6th.
• Dockside Monitoring: 100%
• Hail out is mandatory.
• Buddy-up system will be authorized: licenced fish harvesters who take advantage of this policy are authorized to use 150 standards size traps or 300 Japanese style traps.
• Area closing after white crab (soft-shell) reaches 20%.
• The release of white crab (soft-shell) and adolescent crab is authorized.

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.