Snow Crab Fishing Areas 12, 18, 25, 26

Species and Area

Snow Crab Fishing Area 12 (12, 18, 25, 26)

Dates of season (subject to change)

The Area 12 fishery will open at 6:00 am ADT Saturday, April 14, 2012.

Total Allowable Catches and Sharing Arrangements (if applicable)

The total allowable catch (TAC) in Crab Fishing Area 12 is 18,135.37 t which represents a targeted exploitation rate of 34,8%.

  • The quota for First Nations 2,868.29 t (15.816%) and distributed as follows:
    • New Brunswick (NB): 1,577.82 t (8.7%)
    • Quebec (QC): 1,131.41 t (6.239%)
    • Prince Edward Island (PE): 159.06 t (0.877%)
  • The quota for the traditional fleets is 12,546.78 t (69.184%) and distributed as follows:
    • New Brunswick : 7,146.83 t (39.408%)
    • Quebec : 3,839.01 t (21.169%)
    • Nova Scotia : 212,03 t (1.169%)
    • Prince Edward Island : 623.13 t (3.436%)
    • Harvesters from Crab Fishing Area 18: 725.78 t (4.002%)
  • The quota for new access is 2,720* t (15%) and distributed as follows:

NB: 1,293 t (7.129%) distributed as follows :

  • MFU: 1,118 t (6.161%)
  • Identified groundfish specialists ITQ fleet: 129 t (0.713%)
  • Identified groundfish specialists competitive fleet: 46 t (0.255%)

Quebec: 877 t (4.837%)

Gulf Nova Scotia: 165 t (0.913%)

PEI: 385 t (2.122%) distributed as follows :

  • PEIFA: 339 t (1.867%)
  • PEI Groundfishermen’s Association : 46 t (0.255%)

Management Measures

As in 2011, the there will be quota reconciliation in this fishery. Quota overruns during the 2012 season by a licence holder will be deducted in 2013 on a one-for-one basis. It is the responsibility of the licence holder to respect the allocation granted while taking into consideration transfers and landings and to make the necessary arrangements before departing for a fishing expedition to have quota to cover expected catches for the expedition. Further information will be provided at a later date.

The management measures from 2011 are rolled over in 2012 which include amongst others:

  • The soft-shell crab protocol with 25% at sea observer coverage.
  • Temporary flexibility options (quota transfer, partnerships, trios).
  • Only one valid tag per trap.
  • 100% dockside monitoring.
  • Landings weighed in kilograms on an electronic scale with a memory.
  • The use of a vessel monitoring system (VMS). Harvesters are asked to register their VMS with DFO as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving their licence conditions.
  • Maximum mesh size of 75 mm.
  • Authorized release of commercial-sized male crab with small claws back in the water.
  • A delayed season opening to June 1 applies to an area in CFA 12 for one nautical mile bordering on CFA 19. The buffer zone between CFAs 18 and 19 remains in effect.
  • The Irving Whale Exclusion Zone is maintained.
  • For proper management and control purposes, the targeted total number of vessels for all fleets on the water at any time is 150 for the Gulf Region and 75 for the Quebec Region.
  • For proper management and control purposes, traps will be issued on the same basis as in the past except for those who are involved in the temporary flexibilities:
    • 150 for midshore vessels
    • 75 for the traditional inshore Prince Edward Island fleet
    • 75 for Crab Fishing Area 18
    • New access and First Nations: those receiving quotas of up to 50 t will be entitled to 75 traps, while fish harvesters receiving over 50 t will be able to use 150 traps.
  • The targeted opening date for the fishery is Saturday, April 14 at 18:00 Atlantic Daylight Time weather permitting and subject to DFO operational requirements. 
  • The fishery will close on July 17; all gear must be removed from the water by the end of the day July 16. Extensions to the fishing season will not be considered.