Snow Crab Fishing in Area 12A - Season 2012-2013

Species and area

Quebec region, Gaspe-Lower-St-Lawrence area.

2012-2013 Management plan.

Snow crab fishing in area 12A.

10 licences north of the Gaspe Peninsula.

Season Dates (subject to change)

Fishing season will last a maximum of 10 weeks between March 20 and May 28.

Total allowable catch (TAC) and harvest sharing agreements (if applicable)

The total allowable catch (TAC) for 2012, under the individual transferable quota program (ITQ), is 162 tons. For the 2013 season, the TAC will be adjusted according to the recommendation of Sciences, if required.

Management measures

• Minimum size: minimum shell width, 95 mm.
• Number of traps: 75 standard traps with a mesh inferior or equal to 75 mm and maximum exterior volume of 2.1 m3. One standard trap may be replaced with two conical traps with maximum outside measurement at base of 122 cm maximum diameter.
• Authorization to return soft shell crab and adolescent crab (small claws) to the water.
• Mandatory biodegradable escape mechanisms.

Fishery control measures:

• Mandatory log book.
• 10 % observer coverage at sea
• 100% dockside monitoring.

Implementation of a quota reconciliation program. Individual quota overrun incurred during a season by a licence holder will be deducted by a factor of one-to-one from its individual quota of the following year.