Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Notice to Fish Harvesters

April 22, 2010

LOBSTER MANAGEMENT PLAN 2010

FOR LFAs 23, 24, 26A, AND 26B – SOUTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

Moncton – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, today provided the details of the management plan for Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 23, 24, 26A, and 26B in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the context of the Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Measures Program, the Department has approved a sustainability plan in LFA 25 which includes new management measures. Details will be provided this summer when the management plan for LFA 25 is released.

Unless indicated otherwise, existing management measures including port freezes remain in place.

In recent months, there appears to be increased interest from lobster fishing organizations to have LFAs divided into sub-LFAs. In order to ensure a consistent approach, the Gulf Region will be formulating in the coming months a proposed regional policy for input by stakeholders regarding these types of requests. In the interim, existing sub-LFAs remain in place and it is not anticipated that new sub-LFAs will be created in 2010.

Beginning in 2010, licence holders must ensure that each trap has only one tag (i.e. valid tag).

LFA 23

Since 2009, the LFA has been sub-divided into four distinct fishing areas. New management measures are being implemented in 2010 and further details have been provided in a separate Notice to Fish Harvesters.

LFA 24

Further to a request by some harvesters to address the concentration of lobster fishing effort within portions of the LFA, discussions will be initiated after the fishing season with stakeholders within the LFA. In the interim and up to December 31, 2010, DFO will not authorize the reissuance of any lobster licence between any home port within LFA 24.

LFA 26A

Beginning in 2010, lobster harvesters in Gulf Nova Scotia (except for those with a home port of Barachois) fishing within management area LFA 26A-1 (east of port of Malagash and west of port of Little Harbour) must have a minimum of five traps per line.

LFA 26B

As announced in April of 2009, the northern portion of LFA 26B is proceeding with a multi-year management plan and consequently the LFA will continue to be divided into northern and southern management areas based on the 2009 definition. In addition, beginning in 2010, the southern portion will be implementing a multi-year management plan.

LFA 26B Southern Portion (between ports of Auld’s Cove and Broad Cove Marsh)

Year New Management Measure

2010 Minimum carapace size of 77 mm

2011 Minimum carapace size of 79 mm

Elimination of window on females

Change in size to escape mechanism to accommodate 79 mm lobster

LFA 26B Northern Portion: (between ports of Margaree Harbour and Pleasant Bay)

Year New Management Measure

2010 Minimum carapace size of 79 mm

Minimum of five traps per line

Elimination of window on females

2011 Minimum carapace size of 80 mm

Maximum hoop size of 152 mm

2012 Minimum carapace size of 81 mm

Change in size of escape mechanism to accommodate 81 mm

lobster

Remove one day at end of the season.

References to communities, ports, etc. are used for information purposes only; precise coordinates defining where various management measures apply are provided in pertinent documents.

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The Department is completing its work with fishing organizations to determine how to ensure biodegradable panels work effectively. It is expected that the results of the study will be available in 2010 and discussions with industry will take place in identifying the best approach. Modifications to the panels, if needed, would be mandatory at the latest by the 2012 fishing seasons.

The Department is continuing to work on implementing an electronic data collection system in southern Gulf LFAs and fishing organizations will be kept apprised as this project evolves. Please note that an electronic data collection system will be mandatory in all southern Gulf LFAs by the 2012 fishing seasons.

The Department will continue to authorize the retention of sculpin and cunner; however, this management measure will be reviewed in the future to ensure it is not having a detrimental impact on the ecosystem.

The regulated opening date is 6:00 am April 30, 2010, weather permitting and closes on July 1, 2010. As in the past, and until further notice, the season between Point Prim and Victoria will open at 6:00 am on May 7, and will close July 8. As previously announced, the season opening in LFA 26B northern portion is set as the first Saturday in May which in 2010 is May 1 at 6:00 am. The opening date in LFA 23 in 2010 is 6:00 am April 26 and the season will close on June 27.