June 17, 2021
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
Telephone: (902) 566-4050
Fax: 902-368-3748
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