Sea Urchin Area 12 - Season 2011
Sept-Iles, June 8, 2011
Species and region
Sea Urchin, area 12 - Quebec region, North Shore area.
Dates of season (subject to change)
From January 1st to December 31st, 2011
Total Allowable Catches (TAC)
No global quota for area 12
Management Measures
Fishing area :
From Pointe de Natashquan to Blanc-Sablon
Number of licences :
5 exploratory sea urchin licences (not transferable)
Minimum size:
50 mm width (excluding spines)
Participation clause for the exploratory sea urchin licences:
An annual participation clause of 225 kg could be applied for the 2011 season. Catches must be recorded at DFO before December 31 of the current year by a buyer registered with the department.
Log book :
Log book is mandatory
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.
Tagging :
Each trap must bear a valid tag obtained from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
Restriction :
The use of traps is not allowed from May 25th to November 30th for the licence holders of whelk in area 8.
Incidental catches :
Incidental catches cannot be retained.
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.
Approved by:
Martin St-Gelais
Area Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
North Coast
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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