Toad Crab Sub-area CN1 - Season 2011

Sept-Iles, June 8, 2011

Species and region

Toad crab, sub-area CN1 - Quebec region, North Shore area.

Dates of season (subject to change)

From July 26th to November 1st, 2011

Total Allowable Catches (TAC)

385.56 t

Management Measures

Fishing area :

From Riviere de L'Etang to Blanc-Sablon

Number of licences :

38 exploratory toad crab licences (not transferable)

Minimum size:

70 mm of carapace width

Participation clause for the exploratory toad crab licences:

An annual participation clause of 2.268 t 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

Traps :

150 japanese traps; or
150 standard toad crab traps; or
100 conical traps with a lower diameter not exceeding 914 mm (approximately 3 feet) and set with four (4) circular vents of a 65 mm diameter, the top of the openings installed at a distance calculated from the bottom of the trap, that does not exceed 50% of the trap height.

Tagging :

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

Simultaneous fisheries :

The holder of a toad crab fishing licence may not operate his lobster or/and his rock crab licence at the same time.

Incidental catches :

Incidental catches of rock crab, snow crab and lobster 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

Published management plans: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/decisions/fm-2011-gp/index-atl-eng.htm