Gulf Region

2020 CONSERVATION AND HARVESTING PLAN FOR THE ROCK CRAB FISHERY IN LOBSTER FISHING AREA 25

Tracadie, NB, Charlottetown, PEI and Antigonish, NS – June 12, 2020 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is announcing the management measures for the rock crab fishery in Lobster Fishing Area 25 (LFA 25) in 2020.

Fishing Season:

The summer fishing season in LFA 25 will open at 6:00 a.m. on June 29, 2020 and will remain open until July 25 , 2020. These season dates comply with the practice of opening the fishery on the last Monday in June until the last Saturday in July.

The fall fishing season will open five calendar days after the closure of the fall LFA 25 lobster fishery (unless the rock crab opening date would fall on a Sunday in which case it will open on the Monday) with the season closure being the last Friday of November. Opening and closing dates for the fall fishery will be published in a subsequent Notice to Fish Harvesters.

DFO wishes to remind fish harvesters to take extra care when navigating on the opening day of the fishery as vessels are loaded with gear and traps. Harvesters are encouraged to act diligently in setting their traps and should ensure that vessels are loaded safely by reducing the quantity of gear if necessary.

NEW management measures in place for the 2020 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

EKME-EN : 4166830 / EKME-FR : 4166829

-2-

Other management measures which will continue to apply in 2020:

Biodegradable mechanisms : The use of biodegradable 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 Logbook/Landing Report are mandatory and must be completed as stipulated in the licence conditions.

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

Number of traps: 100 traps

Catch limitation:
Commercial licences – 25,000 kg Communal commercial licences – 35,000 kg Community licences – 35,000 kg

Minimum size: Only male rock crab may be retained. No rock crab that is less than 102 mm in carapace size (width) 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.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Information for industry

Canadian fisheries and aquaculture sectors provide the world with sustainably-sourced, high quality, high value, fish and seafood.

Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is committed to supporting our fisheries and aquaculture industry during these difficult times. The Government of Canada is taking the necessary steps to ensure that you can continue to operate safely and effectively and we will continue to keep you informed of the latest developments.

Visit our website to find out more:

http://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/covid19/industry-industrie/index-eng.html

EKME-EN : 4166830 / EKME-FR :