Click the following link to view the full DFO Notice to Fishers:  http://peifa.org/members/docs/MECTS # 4237376-v1-Notice_to_Fishers_Rock_Crab_LFA_24_2021_.pdf

 

Gulf Region

Notice to Fish Harvesters

EKME: 4237376 2021 ROCK CRAB FISHERY IN LOBSTER FISHING AREA 24

Charlottetown, PE - June 10, 2021 Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), is announcing the management measures for the 2021 rock crab fishery in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 24.

Fishing Season:

The season in LFA 24 will open at 6:00 a.m. on July 9, 2021 and will remain open until October 26, 2021.

NEW in 2021: Crew Registry

The inshore regulations require inshore commercial licence holders, and their approved Substitute Operators, to keep records of all the crew members working aboard the vessel on every fishing trip. These records must be maintained by the licence holder for a period of five (5) years. More information can be found at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheriespeches/ commercial-commerciale/atl-arc/inshore-regulations-reglement-peche-cotiereeng.
html#toc03

Management measures in place for the 2021 fishing season:

Gear Marking

Gear marking is in place in this fishery. Specific requirements are explained in the Notice to Fish Harvesters issued January 31, 2020 and details of these requirements can also be found in the licence conditions.

Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic right whales

The management measures to protect the right whales are available at the following Internet address:

http://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/atl-arc/narw-bnan/management- gestion-eng.html

Biodegradable Panels:

The use of modified biodegradables mechanisms on all traps, including modified lobster traps, is mandatory. Please refer to your Licence Conditions for specifications on these biodegradable mechanisms

Data entry: The licence holder is responsible to enter into an agreement with a dockside monitoring company for data entry of catch and effort

information; a condition to this effect is included in all licences.

Logbooks: Crab Logbooks/landing report are mandatory and must be completed as stipulated in licence conditions.

Dockside Monitoring

Program: Number of traps:

Catch limitation:

Minimum size:

All of the catch must be weighed in kilograms at one decimal point on an approved scale.

Commercial licences - 150 traps.
First Nations communal commercial licences
150 traps.

Commercial licences 20,000 kg. Communal commercial licences 20,000 kg.

Only male rock crabs, with a minimum carapace width of 102 mm, may be retained.

DFO will continue to apply the exploitation principle that prioritizes the rock crab fishery as

follows: by-catch in the lobster fishery, bait for the lobster fishery and then directed rock crab fishery.

For more information:

Kim Lowe
Resource Management Fisheries and Oceans Canada Charlottetown, PEI
(902) 566-7933