Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

June 30, 2009

Fisheries & Oceans Canada

Notice to Fish Harvesters

WHELK EXPLORATORY FISHERY

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, wishes to advise industry that it will be issuing temporary exploratory licences under the New Emerging Fisheries Policy in order to evaluate the feasibility of a whelk fishery (Buccinum undatum) in the Southern Gulf of St.-Lawrence.

DFO’s intention is to combine both Stage 1 and 2 of the New Emerging Fisheries Policy and issue exploratory licences under Section 7 of the Fisheries Act. All applications will be assessed under the provisions of the New Emerging Fisheries Policy that can be found online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
/fm-gp/policies-politiques/efp-pnp-eng.htm. Should the number of applicants exceed the number of licences allowed per area, a selection process will take place and the names of the successful applicants will be made available. As stated in the policy, First Nation will also be provided the opportunity to participate in this exploratory fishery.

The following management measures will apply in the exploratory whelk fishery:

Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) will be used to manage the exploratory whelk fishery
The maximum number of traps allowed will be 100 and only DFO approved traps may be used.
The maximum volume of the each trap will be 0.3 m³ with 57 mm net mesh size
Only whelks with a minimum shell length of 75 mm may be retained.
The proposed season in LFA 24 and 26A will be September 1^st to November 30^th and for LFA 25 October 15^th to December 15th.
Logbooks are mandatory and must be completed as instructed by DFO.
100% dockside monitoring
Licence holders will be responsible for the cost of technicians or At-Sea-Observer coverage required for data collection
Future management principles will depend on the success of this exploratory fishery and will be discussed through the PEI Emerging Fisheries Consultation process.

The maximum number of licences that will be issued per LFA for the exploratory fishery are the following:

LFA 24	6 Core (1-East, 3-West)(2 existing permits in East for a total of 3)
LFA 25	3 Core (1-GNB, 1-GNS, 1-PEI)
LFA 26A	6 Core (3-PEI, 3-GNS)

Proponents who wish to participate in this exploratory fishery are asked to submit an application that meets the requirements set out in the application process of the New Emerging Fisheries Policy, to their area office prior to July 17, 2009 for evaluation. Applications can be obtained from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Resource Management Division at (902)566-7844.

Colin MacIsaac

Chief, Resource Management

Prince Edward Island

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Charlottetown, PE

Tel: (902) 566-7815

Fax: (902) 566-7848

Shari Cormier

Species Officer, Resource Management

Gulf Fisheries Center

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Moncton, N.B.