Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Revised
July 19, 2013 EKME 2846805
LOBSTER CONSERVATION HARVESTING PLAN
LOBSTER FISHING AREA 25 FOR 2013
Moncton – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, provided the details today of managements measures that will be in place in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 25 for 2013.
Height and Length of Escape Mechanisms
Length of escape opening between 127 mm and less than 254 mm
Minimum carapace size
Height of escape opening
72 mm
42 mm minimum
Length of escape opening equal to or greater than 254 mm
Minimum carapace size
Height of escape opening
72 mm
41 mm minimum
2013 Management Measures
Unless indicated otherwise, existing management measures, including restrictions on the loading and offloading of lobster traps and offloading of catches, remain in place in LFA 25 in 2013:
• The minimum carapace size is 72 mm in 2013.
• The maximum size for females is 114 mm.
• The maximum diameter of hoop is 152 mm.
• The maximum number of traps is:
o New Brunswick 250.
o Nova Scotia 225
o Prince Edward Island 240.
Nighttime fishing restrictions: The Department is requesting that all LFA 25 fish harvesters ensure that they are not in possession of any lobster or lobster trap on board a vessel from 21:00 to 05:00 the following day. Additional measures may be implemented if needed.
Biodegradable Panels
As previously announced, the use of modified biodegradable panels will be mandatory in all LFAs in 2013. Please refer to Notice to fish harvesters sent on January 31, 2013, for specifications on these panels.
Notice to Fish Harvesters
Opening/Closing Dates
The regulated opening date in LFA 25 is 6:00 a.m. August 9, 2013, weather permitting. The last day of fishing will be October 10, 2013. Requests to advance the opening date or extend the season beyond October 10, 2013, will not be considered.
For information:
Ernest Ferguson
Area Director, Eastern NB
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Tracadie-Sheila, NB
506-395-7710
Michael Cherry
Area Director, PEI
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Charlottetown, PEI
902-566-7810
Helen Kerr
Area Director, Gulf NS
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Antigonish, NS
902-863-5670