2021 – Closure of fishing grounds in Crab Fishing Areas 12F and 12E

Moncton and Quebec – May 11, 2021

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announces that Snow crab fish harvesters in Crab Fishing Area (CFA) 12F will have access to CFA 12 (12, 18, 25, 26) until the end of the fishing season on June 30th, 2021 inclusively, due to the seasonal closure of fishing grounds in CFA 12F for the protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (NARWs).  This provides access to CFA 12 (12, 28, 25, 26) to ten fish harvesters in the Quebec Region and seven fish harvesters in the Gulf Region. 

Snow crab fish harvesters in CFA 12E will temporarily have access to CFA 12 (12, 18, 25, 26) effective immediately until May 22, 2021 inclusively due to the closure of fishing grounds in CFA 12E for the protection of NARWs.  This provides access to CFA 12 (12, 28, 25, 26) to three fish harvesters in the Gulf Region and one fish harvester in the Quebec Region. 

The situation for CFA 12E will be reevaluated following the two surveillance flights for the detection of the presence of NARWs that are scheduled over the CFA 12E.

The Department had announced this possibility of access in its March 2, 2021 Notice to Fish Harvesters: 2021 – Amalgamation of Crab Fishing Areas 12E and 12F with Crab Fishing Area 12 (12, 18, 25, 26).

For more information: