Lobster Fishing in Areas 19, 20 and 21

Species and Area

Quebec Region, Gaspe-Lower St. Lawrence Area

2012-2014 management Plan

Lobster fishing in areas 19, 20 and 21.

179 fishing licenses among which 11 are held by the First Nations. The lobster fishing areas 19, 20 and 21 are divided into 28 sub-areas around the Gaspe Peninsula.

Dates of season

The season opening and closing dates (subject to change) for lobster fishing in Areas 19, 20 and 21 are:

• 19A2: May 12 to July 21
• 19A3: May 5 to July 14
• 19B: April 21 to June 30
• 19C1: May 12 to July 2
• 19C2: April 28 to July 7
• 20A1: April 28 to July 5
• 20A2 to 20B8: April 21 to June 28
• 21A: April 28 to July 5
• 21B: May 5 to July 12

The departure from port for the lobster fishery will be authorised from 5:00 a.m. on the opening day.

Total Allowable Catches and Sharing Arrangements (if applicable)

The lobster fishery is a competitive fishery managed by the control of the fishing effort.

Management Measures

Minimum catch size: Area 19: 83 mm
Areas 20A, 20B and 21: 82 mm

Maximum catch size: Areas 20A and 20B : 145 mm

Fishing gears: Traps adapted for the lobster fishery and equipped with circular or rectangular escape vents. Establishment of a standard trap from 2012 in areas 20 and 21

Maximum trap dimensions:

Area 19
Maximum length: 92 cm
Maximum width: 61 cm
Maximum height: 50 cm

Areas 20 and 21
Wire traps:
Maximum length: 92 cm
Maximum width: 54 cm
Maximum height: 39 cm

Wood trap (or hybrid wood/other materials):
Maximum length: 87 cm
Maximum width: 56 cm
Maximum height: 46 cm

Maximum number of traps:
Area 19: 250 traps
Areas 20A, 20B and 21: 235 traps

Electronic logbook mandatory from 2012

Control of the fishing effort: Hauling and baiting of traps permitted only once per day.