April 21, 2014
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Notice to Fish Harvesters
Precautionary Approach Harvest Decision Rules and Total Allowable Catch
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announces the implementation of harvest decision rules for setting the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for snow crab in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. In order to provide predictability in the management of the fishery, the harvest decision rules will be in effect for a minimum of a five year period.
For 2014, the TAC will be set at 25,227.44 t based on an exploitation rate of 38.3%, as specified in the harvest decision rules.
The TAC distribution in each of the management zones in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence is as follows:
Stabilization of access in Area 12 (12, 18, 25, 26)
DFO is committed to a sustainable and an economically prosperous snow crab fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence; this includes greater certainty, transparency and stability around access to the fishery. DFO is announcing today that the shares are considered stable in Area 12 (12, 18, 25, 26), as defined since 2010.
Management Measures
Details on management measures for each Crab Fishing Area will follow in separate Notices to Fish Harvesters. Note that in Crab Fishing Area 12F a cautious approach to harvesting will be implemented for 2014.
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EKME 3074454 April 7, 2014
TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR SNOW CRAB IN THE SOUTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE FOR 2014 (AREAS 12, 12E, 12F AND 19)
Quota 2014 (t)
Area 12
19,332.49
Area 19
3,687.78
Area 12E
169.33
Area 12F
1,658.84
Scientific survey quota
379.00
Total
25,227.44
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Notice to Fish Harvesters
Scientific Survey Quota
The Department would like to advise you that under Section 10 of the Fisheries Act, a quota of 379 t of snow crab has been identified to pay the costs associated with the annual scientific survey and the analysis of data supporting the scientific assessment of this resource. This allocation will be taken off the top of the 2014 TAC.
As in 2013, a joint project agreement will be in place with eight snow crab fish harvesters associations who expressed interest in the project and will manage and transfer the necessary funds for the survey to DFO.
The eight associations will designate the Association des Crabiers Acadiens (ACA) to manage the associated quota. The ACA will be contacting the various groups representing the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence stakeholders as well as First Nations to offer them the option to acquire a share of this allocation for the purpose of funding the 2014 scientific survey.
For information on TAC distribution:
For information on the Use of Fish for the scientific survey:
Matthew Hardy
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
506-851-2278
Bernard Morin
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec, QC
418-648-5891
Ghislain Chouinard
Science Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
506-851-6206
Telephone: (902) 566-4050
Fax: 902-368-3748
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