Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

2011 SNOW CRAB MANAGEMENT PLAN
CRAB FISHING AREAS 12, 18, 25, AND 26 (AREA 12)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has released the details of the 2011 Area 12, 18, 25, 26 (Area 12) management plan. The total allowable catch (TAC) in Area 12 is 8,584 t which represents a targeted exploitation rate of 35%.

TAC distribution* (metric tons)
• The quota for First Nations is 1,358 t (15.816%) and distributed as follows:
o New Brunswick (NB): 747 t (8.7%)
o Quebec (QC): 536 t (6.239%)
o Prince Edward Island (PE): 75 t (0.877%)
• The quota for the traditional fleets is 5,939 t (69.184%) and distributed as follows:
o New Brunswick : 3,383 t (39.408%)
o Quebec : 1,817 t (21.169%)
o Nova Scotia : 100 t (1.169%)
o Prince Edward Island : 295 t (3.436%)
o Harvesters from Crab Fishing Area 18: 344 t (4.002%)
• The quota for new access is 1,288 t (15%) and distributed as follows:

Distribution of 1,288t (15%) for New Access
NB 612 t (7.129%) distributed as follows :
MFU 529 t (6.161%)
Identified groundfish specialists ITQ fleet 61 t (0.713%)
Identified groundfish specialists competitive fleet 22 t (0.255%)
QC 415 t (4.837%) details as to distribution of quota will be provided by Quebec Region.
NS 78 t (0.913%) details as to distribution of quota will be provided by Gulf Region.
PEI 182 t (2.122%) distributed as follows :
PEIFA 160 t (1.867%)
PEI Groundfishermen’s Association 22 t (0.255%)
*numbers are rounded

2011 Management measures

The Department is introducing quota reconciliation in this fishery. Quota overruns during the 2011 season by a licence holder will be deducted in 2012 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 2010 are rolled over in 2011 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 as does the buffer zone between CFAs 18 and 19.
• 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:
o 150 for midshore vessels
o 75 for the traditional inshore Prince Edward Island fleet
o 75 for Crab Fishing Area 18
o 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 Friday, April 15 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.

For information:
Alain Hébert
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
506-851-7790 Marcel Boudreau
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec, QC
418-648-7679