Southern Gulf lobster fishing areas and sub-LFAs 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 24, 25, 26A and 26B

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, has announced the new management measures that will be in place in Southern Gulf lobster fishing areas (LFAs) and sub-LFAs 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 24, 25, 26A and 26B in 2013. Unless indicated otherwise, existing management measures remain in place. 

Dates of season (subject to change)

Following a request from several fish harvester associations, the opening date for the fishery in LFAs 23, 24, 26A and 26B has been set for April 29, 2013, at 6:00 a.m. weather and ice conditions permitting and closure is scheduled on June 29, 2013.  For a portion of LFA 26A between Point Prim to Victoria, PEI, the fishery will open at 6:00 a.m. on May 6, 2013, and will close July 6, 2013. 

Management Measures

LFA 23
As previously announced, the minimum carapace size will be 76 mm in sub-LFA 23A and 23B and 72 mm in sub-LFA 23D in 2013. Starting in 2013, the minimum carapace size in sub-LFA 23C will increase to 73 mm. Furthermore, the Department is planning to increase the minimum carapace size yearly in sub-LFA 23C by 1 mm intervals to reach 76 mm by 2016. The Department is also planning to increase the minimum carapace size in sub-LFA 23D to 73 mm in 2015 and 74 mm in 2016.   More information will be provided on these increases at a later date and further discussions will occur with industry at future Lobster Advisory Committee meetings.

LFA 24
The minimum carapace size will be 72 mm starting in 2013.

LFA 25
A separate Notice to Fish Harvesters will be provided regarding management measures at a later date.

LFA 26A-1
The minimum carapace size will be 72 mm starting in 2013.

LFA 26 A and B (Gulf Nova Scotia)
On January 31, 2013, DFO implemented restrictions on the reissuance of lobster licences in the following management areas in Gulf Nova Scotia: 26A1, 26A3, 26B South and 26B North. For fish harvesters from LFA26A1, 26A3, 26B South and 26B North who retire or transfer their fishing enterprise, their licences can only be reissued to other fish harvesters whose homeport is located within the fish harvesters management area. The restrictions are in effect until April 1, 2014.

Height and Length of Escape Mechanisms
The heights of the escape mechanisms need to be adjusted according to carapace size in effect in each LFA, unless otherwise stated (see table 2 on page 3 of this notice for carapace size and table 1 on page 2 for height of escape mechanism).

Length of escape opening between 127 mm and less than 254 mm
Minimum carapace size Height of escape opening
70 mm to 71 mm 40 mm
>71 mm to 73 mm 42 mm
>73 mm to 76 mm 43 mm
>76 mm to 81 mm 44 mm
>81 mm to 82 mm 46 mm
>82 mm to 83 mm 47 mm
Length of escape opening equal to or greater than 254 mm
Minimum carapace size Height of escape opening
70 mm to 71 mm 40 mm
>71 mm to 73 mm 41 mm
>73 mm to 76 mm 42 mm
>76 mm to 80 mm 43 mm
>80 mm 44 mm

Biodegradable Panels
As previously announced, the use of modified biodegradable panels will be mandatory in all LFAs starting in 2013. Please refer to Notice to fish harvesters sent on January 31, 2013 for specifications on these panels.

Other
Further to the Department’s policy on implementing the Precautionary Approach, work is underway on identifying the biological reference points for lobster.  Once proposed biological reference points have been identified, they will be subject to a peer review process which includes participation from industry stakeholders.  As a future step, the Department anticipates having a series of discussions with industry stakeholders to develop harvest decision rules for this fishery.  In the interim, industry stakeholders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Department’s policy on the Precautionary Approach.

Major Management Measures in 2013 Lobster Fishing Areas 23, 24, 25, 26A, 26B
 Area Minimum carapace(mm)* Window /maximum size females (mm) Maximum number  of traps Minimum number of traps per line** Maximum hoop size (mm) Other
23A 76 115-129 300 n/a 152 More information to be provided in separate Notice
23B 76 115-129 300 n/a 152
23C 73 115-129 300 In a portion of 23C, 3 traps 152
23D 72 115-129 300 In a portion of 23D, 3 traps 152
24 72 115-129 300 n/a n/a Regulations changed to provide access to McLeod’s Ledge. Restrictions by conditions of license on ports of landing between Hardys Channel and SeaCow Pond, as well as between Malpeque and North Lake, will be maintained upon license reissuance
26A-1 72 115-129 280 in GNS
273 in PEI 		In a portion of 26A-1 (GNS)
5 traps
In a portion of 26A-1 (PEI)
6 traps		 n/a  
26A-2 73 115-129 255 and 275*** 6 traps 152  
26A-3 76 115-129 250 2 traps n/a  
26B South 79 n/a 250 n/a n/a  
26B North 81 n/a 250 5 traps 152 Closure of Cheticamp Harbour, regulated season dates

*25 Information regarding management measures in this fishery will be provided in separate notice.