Stimpson Surf Clams Sub-area 4c - Season 2011

Sept-Iles, July 22nd, 2011

Species and region

Stimpson surf clams, sub-area 4C - Quebec region, North Shore area.

Dates of season (subject to change)

From July 22nd to October 18th, 2011

Total Allowable Catches (TAC)

170.100 t

Management Measures

Fishing area :

Sub-area 4C: From Rivière Musquaro to the Labrador border

Number of licences :

3 exploratory Stimpson surf clams licences (not transferable)

Drag width :

One drag per boat not exceeding 1,83 meters (6 feet) of over-all width.

Minimal size:

80 mm measured in the largest axis of the shells.

Sectors excluded:

In order to respect the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation program (CSSP), no harvesting will be allowed in the excluded sectors described on the fishing area map attached to this notice.

Participation clause for the exploratory Stimpson surf clams licences:

An annual participation clause of 6.8 t for the Quebec Region 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

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, Striped Bass (St. Lawrence Estuary population) 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

Andrew Rowsell
Area Chief, Conservation and Protection
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
North Coast Area
418 962-6314

Links to other information

Published management plans