2013 Crab Fishing Area 12, 18, 25, 26

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has released the details of the 2013 Crab Fishing Area 12 (12, 18, 25, 26) management plan. The interim total allowable catch (TAC) in Crab Fishing Area 12 is 22,219.60 t.

Dates of season (subject to change)

Area 12E opens on April 27 at 6:00AM (Atlantic time)

Area 12 opens on April 28 at 4:00AM (Atlantic time)

Total Allowable Catches and Sharing Arrangements

  • The quota for First Nations 3,516.62 t (15.816%) and distributed as follows:
    • New Brunswick: 1934.47 t (8.7%)
    • Quebec: 1387.15 t (6.239%)
    • Prince Edward Island: 195 t (0.877%)
  • The quota for the traditional fleets is 15,367.79 t (69.184%) and distributed as follows:
    • New Brunswick: 8,753.20 t (39.408%)
    • Quebec: 4,701.89 t (21.169%)
    • Nova Scotia: 259.69 t (1.169%)
    • Prince Edward Island: 763.18 t (3.436%)
    • Harvesters from Crab Fishing Area 18: 889.83 t (4.002%)
  • The quota for new access is 3,335* t (15%) and distributed as follows:
    • NB: 1,585 (7.129%) distributed as follows:
      • MFU: 1,370 t (6.161%)
      • Identified groundfish specialists ITQ fleet: 158 t (0.713%)
      • Identified groundfish specialists competitive fleet: 57 t (0.255%)
    • Quebec: 1,075 t (4.837%)
    • Gulf Nova Scotia: 203 t (0.913%)
    • PEI: 472 t (2.122%) distributed as follows:
      • PEIFA: 415 t (1.867%)
      • PEI Groundfishermen’s Association: 57 t (0.255%)

Management Measures

As in 2012, there will be quota reconciliation in this fishery. Quota overruns during the 2013 season by a licence holder will be deducted in 2014 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.

The management measures from 2012 are rolled over in 2013 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.
  • 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 fishery will close on July 15; all gear must be removed from the water by the end of the day July 14. Extensions to the fishing season will not be considered.