Whelk Area 8 – Quebec Region

Species and Area

Whelk, area 8 (Rivière de l’Étang to Blanc-Sablon) – Quebec region, North-Shore area

Dates of seasons (subject to change)

2012: May 25th to November 30th
2013: May 25th to November 30th
2014: May 24th to November 29th

Management Measures

Number of licences :

64 licences

Minimum size :

70 mm in length

Number and volume of traps :

Each fish harvester will be authorized a maximum of 100 traps having a maximum external volume of 0.3 m³ (10.6 feet³).

Tagging :

Each trap must bear a valid tag authorized by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

Log book :

The keeping of a log book is mandatory, and it must be sent to the Sept-Îles Fisheries and Oceans Canada office on the Saturday of each week, when there have been fishing activities.

Incidental catches :

Incidental catches cannot be retained.

Attrition :

Licenses not renewed during the course of the ongoing season will not be reissued the following year.

Special project for 2012: Buddy-up agreement

Buddy-up agreements (maximum of two fish harvesters per agreement) will be authorized for the 2012 season between fish harvesters having registered whelk landings during the course of the last three years (2009, 2010 or 2011). Fish harvesters involved in a partnership agreement are authorised to use 200 traps. The impact of this measure will be analysed at the end of the season in order to evaluate the possibility of renewing it.

Special project for 2012 - 2014:

Fisheries and Ocean is open to considering a project from a licence holder having a boat larger then 39’11’’ for offshore whelk harvesting. The project will be subject to the approval of the Department (resource management, science and C&P).

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 Gulf of St.-Lawrence and the Atlantic species targeted by these measures are the following ones : Spotted wolffish, Northern wolffish, Leatherback Turtle and Striped Bass (St. Lawrence Estuary population). New species could be added in the course of 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 fish is still alive, with as little harm as possible. In addition, information regarding interactions with species at risk must be recorded in the Species at risk section of the 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.

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