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

Species and area

Quebec region, Gaspe-Lower-St-Lawrence area

2012-2013 Management Plan

Snow crab fishing in area 12B

8 licences south of Anticosti Island

Season Dates (subject to change)

Fishing season will last a maximum of 13 weeks between March 24 and June 21.

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 325 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.
• A soft shell crab protocol will be implemented.
• Number of traps: 150 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
• 15 % 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.