Clam Commercial Fishery - Seasons 2012-2013

Species and Area

Sept-Îles, March 1st, 2012 – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) released the clam management plan for the 2012 -2013 fishery seasons.

Fishing sub-areas:

Sub-area 1A:

From the Pointe au Pic dock located on the west side of the Betsiamites river mouth, including the following 3 banks reserved exclusively for commercial harvesting:

N-04.1.1.1 (Baie des Chevaux)
N-04.1.2.1 (Banc Marie-Marthe (Île Laval))
N-04.2.2 (Cran Gagnon)

Excluding the following 3 banks closed for conservation reasons:

N.01.1.4 (Baie des Petites Bergeronnes)
N-04.1.2.2 (Baie Didier Sud)
N-04.1.3 (Baie des Plongeurs)

Sub-area 1B:

From the west side of the Rivière-aux-Rosiers to Pointe-des-Monts.

Sub-area 1C:

From the west side of the Betsiamites river mouth to the east side of the Rivière-aux-Rosiers.

Zone 2:

From Pointe-des-Monts to la rivière de l’Étang

Zone 3 :

From la rivière de l’Étang to Blanc Sablon.

Important: In addition to fishery closures for conservation purposes, areas for shellfish fishing may also be closed under the Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations. For the latest information concerning the areas closed for contamination reasons, please dial the following telephone number: 1 800 463-8558.

Dates of season:

From March 19 to October 31, 2012
From March 18 to October 31, 2013

Management measures

Number of permits:

Sub-area 1A: 85 licenses
Sub-area 1B: 64 licenses
Sub-area 1C: 1 aboriginal communal license

In 2012 and 2013, holders of a valid license will have access only to the sub-area assigned to them on the commercial fishing license.

Harvesting tools:

Sub-area 1A: manual tool only (excluding northern pike)
Sub-area 1B: manual tool only (including northern pike)
Sub-area 1C: manual tool only (excluding northern pike)

Fishing logbook:

You must fill in the logbook entitled “Combined form” and it must be returned to Sept-Îles Fisheries and Oceans office each week of fishing operations.

Minimum size:

51 mm.

Shellfish discard:

Discarding the catches taken under the Fisheries Act and its Regulations is prohibited.

Participation Clause (sub-areas 1A and 1B):

A clause for 454 kg of clams will be applicable to the license renewal for the following year. The catches will have to be registered with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) before December 31st of each year by a buyer registered with the Department.

Coastal fisher identification (sub-areas 1A and 1B)

Wearing a fluorescent orange vest of at least 2500 cm2 will be mandatory for the shellfish commercial fishermen of the 1A and 1B areas. The license number must be clearly printed on the back of the vest. All fishermen must have their licence with them at all times.

Multiyear plan

This plan is valid for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The next advisory committee will be held in 2014.

Approved by:

Martin St-Gelais
Area Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
North Coast

For additional information

Jean Morisset
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: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/decisions/fm-2012-gp/index-atl-eng.htm