Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

DFO UPDATES ITS REQUIREMENTS FOR MODIFIED BIODEGRADABLE MECHANISMS

New DFO Notice to Fish harvesters issued on January 31st, 2012 for all LFAs in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

A full version of the Jan 31st, 2013 DFO Notice to fishers click the following link: userfiles/Notice to fish harvesters_biodegradable mechanism_January 2013.pdf

Any questions on the DFO Notice, please contact your local DFO C&P Office at Northport: 853-2297, Summerside: 888-4001, Charlottetown: 566-7829, Souris: 687-2019 or DFO Charlottetown, Chief Resource Manager Colin MacIsaac at 566-7815.

The DFO includes but not limited to the following wording:

"No person shall have on board or fish a lobster trap unless it has on one exterior wall of each trap parlour, a biodegradable mechanism that provides, when removed, an unobstructed opening. When using a trap with a rigid mesh parlour, the unobstructed opening must not be less than 89mm in height and 148mm wide. No more than four points must secure the mechanism.
When using a trap with a non-rigid mesh parlour a minimum of five meshes must be cut and the biodegradable mechanism, when removed, must also provide an unobstructed rectangular horizontal opening not less than 89mm in height and 148 mm wide.
Ferrous metal on the bottom of the opening on rigid mesh parlours (wire traps) will not be accepted as per the condition of licence, however, the use of ferrous metal when using a non-rigid panel will only be accepted this year.

Where on wire or wooden traps the panel shall be attached to either the inside or outside of an exterior side wall of each parlour by no more than four points with only 100% natural untreated cotton not greater than 2.5 mm in diameter.
Only 100% natural untreated cotton not greater than 2.5mm in diameter can be used as a biodegradable mechanism. Sisal twine or any other types of twine are not accepted.

Fishermen will be given two weeks from the opening date of the fishery to implement the new measures. Biodegradable panels used this year will be monitored and further changes could take place before the 2014 season.

For more information contact DFO C&P detachments near you.

Northport: 853-2297
Summerside: 888-4001
Charlottetown: 566-7829
Souris: 687-2019