This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to all Prince Edward Island licence holders fishing Spider/Toad Crab (Hyas araneus and Hyas coarctatus) in LFA 24 and 26A between July 9, 2022 and September 29, 2022.
When fishing in a particular area, the Conservation Harvesting Plan for that area will apply. It is to be noted that this conservation harvesting plan is subject to change following ministerial decisions or annual review.
The conservation measures during the fishery are as follows:
1. Participants
This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to all Prince Edward Island licence holders fishing Spider/Toad Crab in LFA 24 and 26A. There are 11 commercial licences in LFA 24 and 1 commercial licence in 26A. The PEI Toad Crab LFA 24 Advisory meets annually.
Crew Registry
The inshore regulations require inshore commercial licence holders, and their approved Substitute Operators, to keep records of all the crew members working aboard the vessel on every fishing trip. These records must be maintained by the licence holder for a period of five (5) years.
Fishing gear
Fishing gear is limited to conical or pyramidal crab traps whose volume does not exceed 2.1 m3 (exterior measure). The traps must have a maximum, unobstructed mesh size of 40mm. All traps must be equipped with a biodegradable escape mechanism with an unobstructed horizontal opening of at least 125 mm.
All traps will be tagged with one valid tag attached to its frame.
Maximum trap number is 50.
2. Fishing Season
Fishing season will commence on the first Saturday of July and end on the last Saturday of September of each of the years of this plan. The season for 2022 will be July 9, 2022 to September 29, 2022.
3. By-Catch
There is no bycatch permitted in this fishery.
4. Fishing Restrictions
Fishing effort is restricted to water depths between 20 fathoms and 40 fathoms.
Only male crab measuring 60 mm or greater may be retained.
5. Fishing effort
Fishing effort is controlled by limiting participation, season and trap number.
6. Gear Marking
Gear marking is in place in this fishery. Details of these requirements can be found in your licence condition and at the following address: Commercial Fishery Requirements.
7. 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: 2022 fishery management measures.
8. Marine mammal interaction reporting
In order to comply with the implementation of the US Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, licence holders must now provide information regarding all interactions with a marine mammal including: bycatch, collisions and all sightings of entangled marine mammals that occur during fishing expeditions.
A Marine Mammal Interaction Form (included with licence conditions) must be completed and submitted by email to DFO.NAT.InteractionsMM-InteractionsMM.NAT.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca within 48 hours after the end of a fishing trip.
The information provided on the form will be used by DFO to estimate the levels of accidental mortality and injury to marine mammals. This information will all DFO to better assess the types of threats that may affect Canada’s marine mammals and to develop mitigation strategies.
9. Logbook
- Crab Fishing Logbooks are mandatory for all vessels. They must be completed daily before entering port and submitted to DFO as per instructions at the end of each season.
- Species At Risk Act Logbooks are mandatory for all vessels and must be submitted to the Department as per instructions at the end of each fishing season, including NIL reports.
10. Dockside Monitoring
Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) will apply at 100%.
11. Observer Coverage
At-sea observer coverage is required at a minimum of 5%.