Integrated Fisheries Management Plan: Snow Crab in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence - Fishing Areas 12, 12E, 12F, and 19

snow crabForeword

The purpose of this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) is to document the main objectives for the snow crab fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) in Crab Fishing Areas (CFA) 12 (18, 25, 26) 12E, 12F and 19 as well as the management measures that will be used to achieve the objectives. This document also serves to communicate basic information about the fishery and its management.

Where Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for implementing obligations under land claims agreements, the IFMP will be implemented in a manner consistent with these obligations. In the event that an IFMP is inconsistent with obligations under land claims agreements, the provisions of the land claims agreements will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

This IFMP is not a legally binding instrument which can form the basis of a legal challenge. The IFMP can be modified at any time and does not fetter the Minister's discretionary powers set out in the Fisheries Act. The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify any provision of the IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.

Table of contents

 

1 Overview of the fishery

1.1 History

Snow crab landings from the Gulf of St. Lawrence were first reported in the early 1960’s as bycatch from groundfish draggers. In 1965, a Danish seine fishery was started for snow crab off Cheticamp, Nova Scotia (NS) and the program expanded into New Brunswick (NB) and Prince Edward Island (PEI) in 1966 and into Quebec (QC) in 1967. By 1968, fish harvesters had switched to baited traps and approximately 60 boats participated in the fishery with fishing effort concentrated in two areas: off Gaspe in QC and west of Cape Breton in NS. Over the next decade, policies were introduced to clearly identify the snow crab fleets, to define various snow crab fishing areas in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL), and to implement various management measures which included trap limits, prohibitions to fish females, minimum mesh size, and monitoring soft-shelled/white shell crab in the processing plants.

The fishery developed rapidly as new fishing grounds were discovered. Landings started to climb, with almost 35,000 t landed in 1982. The steady increase in catch was deemed to be due to more efficient fishing techniques rather than an increase in the resource. Using high-performance vessels equipped with highly sophisticated equipment, the fleets intensified their power and fishing effort. By 1990, landings in the sGSL decreased to a low of less than 10,000 t. New management approaches were introduced in CFAs 12, 18, 25, 26 including the introduction of individual quotas (IQs), the introduction of an annual biological trawl survey (scientific survey) to assess the status of the stock, and the establishment of an annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC). These measures contributed to improvements in the management of the fishery while landings began to climb again.

With the steady increase in landings and good prices, the value of the fishery was on the rise and the issue of the sharing of the resource became paramount. In 1995, as part of an Atlantic-wide strategy to provide additional access to the lucrative snow crab resource, there was temporary sharing of the resource with other harvesters, and new exploratory areas were either confirmed or created (12E and 12F). By 1996, DFO had explored the idea of “partnering” and the concept of co-management of fisheries. A five-year co-management approach was introduced in CFA 19 (1996-2000) and another in CFA 12 (1997-2001). Each co-management approach included a temporary sharing formula based on a sharing threshold, and a joint project agreement where a number of projects were identified and cost-shared between industry and DFO. In addition, the CFA 12 approach included the integration of CFAs 25 and 26 into CFA 12 to become CFA 12 (25, 26). This CFA also saw the beginning of an industry-led initiative known as the “Solidarity Fund” to aid plant workers and crew members through a levy on catches. Exploratory areas 12E and 12F became commercial fishing areas in 2002. Thus, from 2002, CFA 12F also participates in the co-management initiative, including a temporary sharing formula based on a sharing threshold and a joint project agreement.

In 2003, the fleet of 30-vessel in CFA 18 was integrated into CFA 12 (25,26). A new fishing access, corresponding to 15% of the TAC of the newly integrated Area 12 (18, 25, 26) was also granted. This was a controversial decision that sparked riots in northeastern NB. The new access eventually became stable in 2010 in an effort to allow fish harvesters to plan for the long term. In CFA 12F, the threshold-based sharing formula remains in place until 2022, when resource sharing has been stabilized at 84.91% (traditional) and 15.09% (New Access group).

Since 2003, CFAs 12, 18, 25, 26 have been managed as a single fishing area. For ease of reference, for events taking place from 2003 onwards, we will refer to these areas collectively as CFA 12. New co-management approaches were implemented in CFA 19 with the last one covering the period from 2005 to 2010.

The participation of Indigenous communities increased with DFO’s “Our response to the Marshall decisions” and as DFO collaborated with First Nations to address the 1999 Supreme Court of Canada ruling in the Marshall decision.

In CFA 12, DFO initiated a program to retire licences from the traditional fleet in order to acquire sufficient quota to support First Nations’ participation. However, the pace of retirement did not allow for the acquisition of sufficient quota to meet the needs. Consequently, the distribution of the TAC was adjusted and in 2006, licence holders from the traditional fleet who did not retire were offered a financial aid package.

In CFAs 12 and 19, the cost sharing of management, including the cost of the scientific survey, continued in various forms until the end of the 2006 season. At that time, the Federal court ruled in the Larocque decision that some of these arrangements were not legally provided for. From 2006 to 2012, special funding was provided by DFO to continue the survey. In 2012, changes to the Fisheries Act were introduced granting the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada with the authority to specify an allocation of fish or a quantity of fishing gear and equipment, in a licence issued under the Act, for the purposes of financing scientific or fisheries management activities described in a joint project agreement. The new section 10 of the Fisheries Act could be used as a source of funds to finance projects. This mechanism has been used since 2013 to assist with financing the annual scientific snow crab trawl survey in the sGSL.

The implementation of the Precautionary Approach began with the identification of biological reference points in 2010 and the implementation of Harvest Decision Rules for the sGSL snow crab fishery in 2014. The Precautionary Approach in Canadian fisheries is the cornerstone for ensuring the conservation of fisheries resources.

In September 2012, the sGSL snow crab fishery received the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for sustainable fishery, which was recertified in early 2017. Following the unprecedented mortality event of the North Atlantic right whale (NARW) in 2017, an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), that occurred in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, an expedited MSC audit took place later that same year. Based on evidence of two NARW mortalities linked to snow crab gear entanglements (see necropsy report North Atlantic right whale mortality event in the Gulf of St. Lawrence), the MSC assessment team determined that it cannot be said that the effects of the sGSL snow crab trap fishery on the NARW population are likely to not hinder the recovery of the NARW population. Consequently, the MSC certification was suspended in March 2018. Despite this suspension, the sGSL snow crab industry and DFO have been working diligently to find solutions to reduce NARW interaction with fishery activities and are taking a comprehensive set of actions that are improved annually to protect the NARW. These actions are described in 4.4.1 Snow Crab Fisheries Cohabitation with NARW of this document.

1.2 Type of fishery

The snow crab fishery in the sGSL is conducted solely as a directed commercial fishery and communal commercial fishery.

1.3 Participants

The sGSL snow crab fishery includes First Nations, midshore fleets, and inshore fleets (see Glossary) from NB, NS, PEI, and QC. Thirteen (13) First Nations have allocations in CFA 12, and five Indigenous groups have allocations in the Gulf NS New Access fleet in CFAs 12 and 12F. Since 2023, one First Nation also has a communal commercial licence in CFA 12F. In CFA 19, there are three First Nation communities that hold communal commercial licences.

1.4 Location of the fishery

The snow crab fishery takes place in the sGSL (CFAs) 12, 12E, 12F, and 19.

 

Snow Crab fishing areas in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence
Figure 1. Snow Crab fishing areas in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence
Description

Figure 1

This figure illustrates the four snow crab fishing areas in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Area 12 is the largest fishing area and extends from Gaspé to the Magdalene Islands and towards the South. Area 12E is a narrow area to the north-east. Area 12F is a smaller area to the east of the Magdalene Islands. Area 19 is a area adjacent to Cape Breton.

Crab Fishing Area 12 consists of the waters enclosed by the coastline and rhumb lines (similar to straight lines plotted on a nautical chart) joining the following points in the order which they are listed below:

Point Latitude - North Longitude – West

  1. 46° 25′ 40″ 61° 07′ 00″
  2. 46° 37′ 30″ 61° 30′ 15″
  3. 47° 30′ 00″ 60° 43′ 20″
  4. 47° 26′ 45″ 61° 00′ 00″
  5. 47° 50′ 00″ 61° 08′ 25″
  6. 47° 58′ 30″ 61° 07′ 30″
  7. 48° 31′ 00″ 63° 08′ 30″
  8. 49° 00′ 00″ 63° 08′ 30″
  9. 49° 40′ 20″ 64° 54′ 50″
  10. 49° 21′ 25″ 65° 35′ 30″
  11. 49° 17′ 00″ 64° 44′ 00″
  12. 48° 53′ 30″ 63° 48′ 54″
  13. 48° 45′ 18″ 64° 09′ 54″

Crab Fishing Area 12E, consists of the waters enclosed by the rhumb lines (similar to straight lines plotted on a nautical chart) joining the following points in the order which they are listed below:

Point Latitude - North Longitude – West

  1. 47° 58′ 30″ 61° 07′ 30″
  2. 48° 02′ 30″ 61° 07′ 00″
  3. 49° 00′ 00″ 63° 08′ 30″
  4. 48° 31′ 00″ 63° 08′ 30″

Crab Fishing Area 12F, consists of the waters enclosed by the rhumb lines (similar to straight lines plotted on a nautical chart) joining the following points in the order which they are listed below:

Point Latitude - North Longitude – West

  1. 47° 18′ 30″ 60° 18′ 00″
  2. 47° 21′ 30″ 60° 16′ 00″
  3. 47° 44′ 30″ 60° 25′ 15″
  4. 48° 02′ 30″ 61° 07′ 00″
  5. 47° 58′ 30″ 61° 07′ 30″
  6. 47° 50′ 00″ 61° 08′ 25″
  7. 47° 26′ 45″ 61° 00′ 00″
  8. 47° 30′ 00″ 60° 43′ 20″
  9. 47° 32′ 12″ 60° 42′ 15″
  10. 47° 18′ 30″ 60° 18′ 00″
  11. 47° 21′ 30″ 60° 16′ 00″
  12. 47° 44′ 30″ 60° 25′ 15″
  13. 48° 02′ 30″ 61° 07′ 00″
  14. 47° 58′ 30″ 61° 07′ 30″
  15. 47° 50′ 00″ 61° 08′ 25″
  16. 47° 26′ 45″ 61° 00′ 00″
  17. 47° 30′ 00″ 60° 43′ 20″
  18. 47° 32′ 12″ 60° 42′ 15″

Crab Fishing Area 19, consists of the waters enclosed by the coastline and rhumb lines (similar to straight lines plotted on a nautical chart) joining the following points in the order which they are listed below:

Point Latitude - North Longitude – West

  1. 46° 25′ 40″ 61° 07′ 00″
  2. 46° 37′ 30″ 61° 30′ 15″
  3. 47° 30′ 00″ 60° 43′ 20″
  4. 47° 16′ 25″ 60° 17′ 40″
  5. 47° 02′ 15″ 60° 24′ 55″

1.5 Fishery characteristics

The fishery is prosecuted using baited traps set on muddy or sand-mud bottoms usually at depths of 70 to 140 metres. In the context of the precautionary approach, an annual TAC is established for the sGSL which takes into account the stock status and established biological reference points.

The opening date of the fishing season varies annually based on weather conditions, including ice conditions, which impact safety at sea. In CFAs 12, 12E and 12F fishing generally begins in April once the fishing grounds in the sGSL are ice-free. Since 2018, the season ends on June 30, instead of mid-July due to the increased presence of NARW in these areas. In CFA 19, the fishery generally takes place from mid-July to mid-September, mainly for socio-economic reasons.

Fishery management measures include limited entry, trap limits, regulation on mesh size in the traps, a minimum carapace size, no females retained, a protocol to close areas to protect soft-shelled crab/white crab (post-molt), and a fishery closures protocol to protect the NARW. Compliance mechanisms are also implemented, including at-sea monitoring through observer coverage and satellite tracking of vessels (vessel monitoring system), as well as dockside monitoring of catches. More detailed information on management measures and access and allocation (TAC) can be found in Sections 6 and 7 of this document.

1.6 Governance

In addition to the Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) specific to each Areas, the fishery is governed by a suite of legislation, regulations, and policy including but not limited to the following:

The sGSL Snow Crab Advisory Committee provides the forum for consultation on matters related to the overall management of the fishery. The Committee is comprised of representatives from First Nations, fish harvesters from each fishing area, processors, and provincial governments. The advisory committee is chaired by a DFO official from the Gulf Region, supported by Quebec region, area offices and regional officials in resource fisheries management, science, economics, and conservation and protection.

Historically, the advisory committee meets annually. The committee may also establish ad-hoc working groups to address specific issues. Additionally, certain fishing areas have management committees to discuss measures specific to their area. For example, since 2013, CFA 12F has held a management committee meeting following the sGSL Advisory Committee. Similarly, CFA 19 generally holds its management committee meetings in May.

1.7 Approval process

Major conservation and management decisions are made by the DFO Minister or their delegate. Other decisions related to the ongoing management of the fishery, including the annual CHPs and TAC as per the Harvest Decision Rules can be made by the Regional Directors General (RDGs) of Gulf and Quebec Regions.

 

2 Stock assessment, science and traditional knowledge

2.1 Biological synopsis

Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) is a crustacean like lobster and shrimp, with a flat, almost circular, body and five pairs of spider-like legs. In order to grow, the hard outer shell is periodically shed in a process called moulting. After moulting, crabs retain a softshell condition for a period of 8 to 10 months. Soft-shelled crab is defined by shell hardness (<68 durometer units). The term "white crab" describes both soft-shelled crabs and relatively hard-shelled clean crab (condition 1 and condition 2) with shell hardness less than 78 durometer units. Unlike lobsters, snow crabs do not continue to moult throughout their lives. Females stop growing after moulting, when they acquire a wide abdomen for carrying eggs, which occurs at shell widths less than 95mm. Males stop growing when they acquire large claws on the first pair of legs, which can occur at shell widths between 40 and 150 mm. In the sGSL, females produce eggs that are carried beneath the abdomen for approximately 2 years. The eggs hatch in late spring or early summer and the newly hatched crab larvae can spend 12-15 weeks floating freely in the water column. At the end of this period, they settle on the bottom. It takes at least 8-9 years for males to reach legal size for the fishery. Snow crab in CFAs 12, 12E, 12F and 19 constitute a single biological population and the sGSL is considered as one unit for biological and assessment purposes.

2.2 Ecosystem interactions

Environmental factors, such as water temperature, can affect the growth, moulting and reproductive dynamic as well as the different life stages and movement of snow crab. The bottom temperatures over most of the sGSL are typically less than 3°C, which is considered suitable thermal habitat for snow crab. Despite the overall health of the stock, according to the scientific surveys, the abundance of snow crab in deep areas has declined in recent years coinciding with warming water temperatures at these depths, but a causal relationship has not been established.

2.3 Stock assessment

Annual snow crab stock assessments have been conducted by DFO Science Branch over the years. The stock status of snow crab is mainly assessed through trends in abundance and biomass indices (adult crab larger than 95 mm) calculated using data from an specialized annual trawl survey (scientific survey). These data provide relevant information on recruitment, spawners, demographic structure, and crab distribution.

The results of the annual assessment and science advice also include a catch option for the single biological snow crab population of the sGSL based on the established precautionary approach reference points and Harvest Decision Rules. These results are scientifically peer-reviewed through a process coordinated by the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), and it includes the active participation of DFO and external reviewers as well as Indigenous groups and industry stakeholders.

2.4 Stock scenarios

The sGSL commercial biomass estimates had fluctuated through periods of high and low abundance between the period of 2005 to 2010 and no evident fluctuation has been observed since then. Over the last 10 to 12 years, the commercial snow crab biomass has been composed largely of annual recruitment to the fishery (crab of shell condition 1 and 2) and a smaller percentage of residual biomass (crab of shell condition 3 to 5) from one year to the next. Since the implementation of the precautionary approach in 2014, the sGSL snow crab stock has been within the healthy zone.

2.5 Research

DFO Science Branch continue to work towards progressive improvements in the spatial sampling design and protocols applied to the scientific survey. In addition, multiple research projects have been completed over the years or are ongoing with the goal to better understand the biological and habitat needs of snow crab and to identify potential changes in the population (e.g. temperature preference and habitat index of different life stages, potential changes in reproductions, effects of warmer deep waters in species molting, distribution and density).

2.6 Indigenous traditional knowledge

Indigenous knowledge (IK) is knowledge held by, and unique to, Indigenous peoples. IK provides a valuable understanding of species, their local environment, and the characteristic ecological relationships between them. Recognizing the importance of this unique knowledge, DFO aims to incorporate IK into fisheries management planning whenever it is provided through this planning processes.

Subsection 2.5(d) of the Fisheries Act empowers the Minister to consider Indigenous knowledge of the Indigenous peoples of Canada that has been provided to the Minister. This consideration may be made alongside other factors, such as scientific data and socio-economic considerations.

 

3 Economic, social and cultural importance of the fishery

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), more than 60 species of crab are fished worldwide. In 2022, snow crab, including tanner crab, represented over 12% of world landings of crab (excluding aquaculture). Snow crab is fished primarily in Canada, the US, Russia, Korea, Greenland, and Japan. For the past 10 years, Canadian snow crab landings represented in average 41% of the world snow crab and Tanner crab landings in weight.

In Canada, snow crab is fished only on the Atlantic coast with quotas being distributed between 23 CFAs. In 2022, 34% of the landings in terms of weight (35% in terms of value) came from the combined four sGSL CFAs (12, 12E, 12F and 19). Seafisheries Landings presents the provincial snow crab landing information.

The sGSL has seen three previous periods of high landings: 1981 to 1985, 1993 to 1997, 2004 to 2008. A fourth period of high landings started in 2017 with a peak of over 43,000 metric tons (mt) and has seen landings over 31,000 mt in 2019, 2022 and 2023. Prices paid for snow crab at the wharves, commonly referred to as landed prices, are subject to variations of snow crab supply and demand on world markets as well as by the supply of other crustaceans that can be substituted e.g., Alaskan King crab, Dungeness crab, lobster. The covid-19 pandemic had an effect on the world snow crab demand and consequently, on the snow crab landed price. From 2017 to 2019, landed prices averaged 11.70$/kg, before dropping by nearly 30% in 2020 when the fishery started as the pandemic was declared. Landed price bounced back to reach a record high in 2021, with an average of over 18$/kg, but has been unstable and decreasing from 2021 to 2023.

Fishing enterprises with larger vessels consist of a captain and three to four crew members for those staying at sea for mostly 2-4 days at a time, or a captain and one to two crew members for those undertaking daily fishing trips. In 2023, approximatively 461 fishing vessels and their crew participated to the sGSL snow crab fishery, providing seasonal harvesting employment to over a thousand individuals. Some fleets are made up of specialized snow crab fish harvesters while other fleets are made up of fish harvesters participating to other fisheries, such as lobster, herring, scallop, and tuna.

Canadian snow crab products face strong competition from other countries where snow crab is fished. The recent increased presence of NARW in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and their possible interactions with snow crab gears is an impediment to the sustainable fishery certification of the sGSL snow crab fishery. In order to obtain a certification and maintain access to international markets, the NB and Quebec Seafood Processors and snow crab fish harvesters associations have entered into a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) to regain the MSC certification for this fishery. They are actively involved in a pilot and sea trial of new and emerging technologies for the reduction of NARW entanglements in snow crab gear in CFA 12 and surrounding areas.

Canadian snow crab is mainly exported. In the last 15 years, snow crab represented an average of 12% in weight and 18% in value of all Eastern Canada (Qc, NB, NS, PEI, Newfoundland) seafood exports. In 2023, total eastern Canada seafood export value was over $5,996M of which 17% ($1,039M) consisted of snow crab exports. With 72% to 87% of the overall exports in weight in the past 15 years, the United States (US) is by far the main destination for Canadian snow crab, followed by China and Japan. In 2023, those three countries represent over 95% of all Canadian snow crab export destinations. Since 2007, more than 98% of the snow crab is exported as sections or as whole frozen or fresh crab; very little crab is processed beyond this stage for export.

Because of its high dependence on the US market, significant changes in the exchange rate or in the economic climate with the US can have an important impact on the price paid to processors and consequently to fish harvesters. The US has growing concerns for NARW with their own fisheries which could impact the Canadian industry.

 

4 Management issues

4.1 Fisheries issues

4.1.1 Snow Crab fisheries cohabitation with NARW

NARW mortalities and entanglements have raised international concerns and attention on Canada, particularly in the sGSL. DFO is taking comprehensive set of actions to protect the endangered NARW, which are significantly impacting the snow crab fishery in the sGSL. These actions include:

  • The monitoring and surveillance of whale by visual sightings (air and at-sea) and acoustic detections
  • Implementation and adjustment of fisheries management measures such as temporary and seasonal fishing area closures
  • Imposing trap limits
  • Addressing ghost gear
  • Supporting networks of marine mammals responders
  • Working with harvesters to help them transition to gear safer for whales, such as on-demand gear and gear with low breaking strength rope or links.

4.1.2 Highgrading / discarding at sea

Highgrading is an illegal activity that occurs when commercial-sized crab is sorted and discarded at sea to improve catch composition for the purpose of obtaining higher value for the catch. The discarding of smaller commercial-sized crab (for ex. 95 mm to 102 mm, 3 ¾ to 4 in), damaged crab (handling induced missing legs for example) and older “mossy” crab” are examples of highgrading practices which are prohibited in the fishery.

These high-grading practices can lead to unnecessary crab deaths due to the mishandling crabs when they are deposited on hard surfaces and kept out of the water for long periods before being released back into the ocean.

4.1.3 Access to the resource

In 2003, stable access to the fishery in Area 12 was granted to new fleets in an effort to allow fish harvesters to plan for the long term. Since then, some First Nations have acquired licences from traditional licence holders retiring from the fishery; however the total number of allocations (licences) has not increased.

4.2 Aquatic species at risk

The Government of Canada enacted the SARA and a number of complementary programs to promote recovery and protection of species considered to be extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern. The protection and recovery of species at risk includes the species listing process and where a listing decision is taken, the development and implementation of species-specific (multi-species or ecosystem-based where appropriate) recovery strategies, action plans and management plans depending upon their status. It also requires regular reporting of progress made towards implementation of recovery measures (five-year progress reports). Snow crab is not listed under SARA, nor have the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed it. Snow crab in the sGSL is not presently considered to be susceptible to becoming at risk, given current conditions.

Due to the potential for interactions with species at risk, all snow crab licence holders are required, under the conditions of their licence, to respect protection measures for Aquatic species at risk and must report in their electronic logbook (ELOG) information regarding their encounters with species at risk.

4.3 Oceans and habitat considerations

An integrated approach continues to be implemented to foster the conservation of biodiversity and biological productivity and to support sustainable development. Though a science and risk-based approach, multiple area-based conservation tools, such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); Marine Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM); fishery closures, and non-biodiversity reasons are being considered in order to support an ecosystem approach and sustainable fisheries. Area-based conservation measures are not necessarily a high protection zone (also known as “no take” zones); rather they are developed and implemented to support sustainable fisheries management. The first step in developing new conservation areas requires the identification of important species and habitat which are identified by their ecological and biological importance and are deemed to be under some level of threat such as from human activities and climate change.

Canada is committed to marine conservation and continues its effort to reach our target of protecting 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025 and working towards 30% by 2030. In the snow crab fishing areas of the sGSL, there is currently one MPA and three OECMs that prohibit some level of fishing such as the use of traps. These areas established in 2017 include three coral and sponge conservation areas: Bennett Bank (821 km²), East Honguedo (2,338 km²), and West Honguedo (496 km²). These coral and sponge conservation areas protect cold-water corals and prohibit all fishing that uses bottom-contact gear, such as bottom trawls, dredges, bottom seining, traps, gillnets, and bottom longlines. The Banc-des-Américains MPA (1,000 km²) designated in 2019 and located off the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, has been put in place to conserve and protect benthic and pelagic habitats, forage species, and to promote the recovery of at-risk whales and wolfish. Within the Banc-des-Américains MPA, commercial fishing, including the snow crab fishery, is prohibited in area 1 (127 km²) which encompasses the rocky ridge, as well as their escarpments and the surrounding sea floor.

Sustainable fisheries framework provides the basis for managing the Canadian fisheries in a matter that support conservation and sustainable use of resources. It incorporates existing fisheries management policies with new and evolving policies. These include the Policy for managing the impacts of fishing on sensitive benthic areas.

4.4 Gear impacts

The fishing gear (conical traps) used during the sGSL snow crab fishing activities is not considered to have a significant detrimental impact on the fish habitat. The CSAS publication Potential impacts of fishing gear (excluding mobile bottom-contacting gears) on marine habitats and communities outlines the potential impacts associated to habitats and species. Comparative studies of fishing gear have determined that traps have lesser impacts on habitats than other gear types (Kaiser et al. 2003).

4.4.1 Whalesafe gear

Whalesafe fishing gear is intended to reduce the risk of entanglement to large whales, while supporting sustainable fisheries. Whalesafe gear includes “on-demand” gear systems (sometimes called ropeless gear, pop-up gear, or rope/buoy on demand), and low breaking-strength (LBS) devices. On-demand gear trials began in 2018 in the sGSL and since then, trials for all types of whalesafe gear have expanded to lobster and snow crab fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. DFO is preparing a five-year Whalesafe Gear Strategy that will be developed in collaboration with the fishing industry, Indigenous groups, and other experts.

4.5 International issues

There are growing legal and market-driven demands in key fish importing countries for assurances that International Fisheries are managed sustainably and in environmentally responsible ways, including certification the product in not from an illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishery. With climate change and food insecurities, legal and market-driven demands on the fishing industry is expected to evolve.

The US is implementing the import provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) following court decisions. The import rule requires countries exporting fish and fish products to the US to demonstrate that they have regulatory measures in place that are comparable in effectiveness to those of the US for reducing marine mammal incidental mortality and serious injury in commercial fisheries. Countries who fail to obtain such comparability measures to the US for their export fisheries by December 31, 2025, will be prohibited from entering the US market. Canada is in regular contact with its US counterparts and is working towards demonstrating appropriate measures are in place in all Canadian fisheries.

 

5 Objectives

There are a number of overarching objectives that guide fisheries management planning for all species. The objectives are guided by the principle that the fishery is a common property resource to be managed for the benefit of all Canadians, consistent with conservation objectives, the constitutional protection afforded Aboriginal and treaty rights, and the relative contributions that various uses of the resource make to Canadian society, including socio-economic benefits to communities.

The following objectives have been defined for the snow crab fishery in the sGSL.

  • Stock Conservation
    • Ensure high quality scientific data collection to assess the sGSL snow crab stock abundance and trends.
    • Ensure the reproductive potential of the stock is preserved by establishing a harvest strategy that implements all of the elements of the Precautionary Approach into the snow crab fisheries management decisions.
    • Protect recruitment to the fishery by the continued implementation of a monitoring program to minimize the capture, handling, discarding and landings of soft-shelled/white crab.
  • Ecosystem
    • Ensure that any potential collateral effects, including bycatches, of fishing on other species or habitats are mitigated.
    • Minimize interactions with other species, particularly the NARW, a species at risk.
    • Minimize ghost gear.
    • Minimize impacts on sensitive benthic areas, (i.e., Coral and Sponge Conservation Areas) that falls within the sGSL snow crab fishing areas.
    • Contribute to the protection of marine and coastal areas.
  • Stewardship
    • Maintain open and transparent working relationships with Indigenous groups and other stakeholders of the sGSL snow crab fishery and build a collaborative approach between and among all.
    • Provide forums for Indigenous groups and stakeholders to share their views and for DFO to consult on the management of the fishery.
  • Socio-economic
    • Provide stability, transparency, and predictability in the management of the fishery.
    • Provide stable access to the resource to allow industry stakeholders to develop long-term business plans.
    • Work with interested fleets on initiatives such as in the development and modernization of Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) programs so as to contribute to economic viability and to facilitate fleet restructuring and the administration of quota.
    • Show evidence that regulatory measures are comparable in effectiveness to those in place in the US for reducing marine mammal incidental mortality and serious injury in the sGSL snow crab commercial fishery.
  • Compliance
    • Promote a fishery that operates in an efficient and orderly manner that respects applicable legal and regulatory elements.

 

6 Access and allocation

The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify access, allocations and sharing arrangements as outlined in this IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.

6.1 Licensing

Access to the snow crab fishery is granted through licences issued under the discretion of DFO’s Minister as per section 7 - Fishery Leases and Licences of the Fisheries Act and section 4 of the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations. Anyone fishing snow crab must possess a valid fishing licence and conditions on board and their crew members must be registered. Vessels must also be registered and their registration numbers displayed. For communal commercial licences held by Indigenous organizations, vessels and crews must be designated to fish as per the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations.

Amendments made to the Fisheries Act in 2019 supported the implementation of a suite of DFO policies for inshore and coastal fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec into law. These changes have allowed to keep the benefits of an inshore fishing licence in the hands of independent core harvesters and maintain a separation between the fishing sector and other sectors.

The legislative context and policies governing the questions of commercial licences, including licence reissuance, vessel replacement, fish harvester and vessel registrations, etc., are included in the following two Policies: Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for the Gulf Region and Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for Eastern Canada.

6.2 Quota shares

A sustainable and economically prosperous snow crab fishery in the sGSL includes transparency and stability concerning access to the resource. The TAC distribution is shown in Appendix 1.

6.3 Quota transfers

The development of ITQ programs by several sGSL snow crab fleets allows for self-adjustment mechanisms for quota transfers between members of a fishing fleet. This provides fleet members flexibilities in managing their businesses in order to foster economic viability. Guidelines for ITQ programs are in place to provide an operational framework that defines limits, such as the maximum quota that can be transferred on a permanent basis.

Other management measures are also in place to manage temporary transfers of quota between fleets and align with the Inshore regulations, or to allow flexibilities such as authorization of partnerships of two licence holders for the duration of the fishing season.

 

7 General management measures

This section provides an overview of the key management measures for information purposes only. Full details are found in various regulations and in conditions of licences, as well as in the annual Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) published via Notice to Fish Harvesters.

7.1 Fishing seasons

The spring fishing seasons in CFAs 12, 12E and 12F open once winter ice retreats. DFO determines the opening date annually in consultation with industry, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Transport Canada, and the Canadian Coast Guard. This process follows the Terms of Reference of the Committee for Setting the Opening Date for the Snow Crab Fishery. For CFA 12F specifically, an opening committee comprising of industry and departmental representatives recommend to DFO an opening date in that area.

In the past, the spring fishery took place until mid-July, however it now finishes on June 30th to minimize overlap of fishing activities and NARW presence in these CFAs. The fishing season in CFA 19 generally starts in mid-July and ends in mid-September, but the quota is usually captured in less than two months.

The sGSL fishing areas are subdivided into grids (quadrants) or sectors which can be closed during the fishing season in accordance with established protocols to protect soft-shelled crab/white crab and NARWs.

7.2 Control and monitoring of removals

7.2.1 Trap limits and related gear restrictions

Restrictions have been placed related to the authorized fishing gear: there is a limit on the number of traps per vessel, the maximum trap mesh size is 75 mm, traps may not exceed 2.1 m3 in volume, all traps must be tagged, and identification information must be on buoys.

In addition, a portion of the mesh in each trap must be constructed and affixed with a biodegradable mechanism to minimize the risk of the trap continuing to fish (“ghost fishing”) in the event of its loss.

Since 2018, there are mandatory requirements for fish harvesters to report lost gear, mark their ropes and to eliminate floating ropes.

7.2.2 At-sea monitoring

The use of a satellite vessel monitoring system (VMS) is mandatory at a reporting interval of 5 minutes. At-sea observers can be deployed on board the fishing vessels to support enforcement and scientific programs, and to monitor soft-shelled/white crab.

7.2.3 Monitoring of catches

Fish harvesters are required to maintain logbooks that record fishing effort and catch data. The use of ELOG is also available and will become mandatory in 2025.

Fish harvesters are required to hail out prior to sailing and to hail in prior to arriving at dockside. Dockside monitoring using qualified third-party monitoring companies designated by DFO is mandatory for all landings. Protocols for dockside monitoring including equipment to be used (i.e., electronic scales with memory) and data to be recorded (for ex. landings must be registered in kilograms) have been defined.

7.2.4 Harvest controls

Only male crab with a minimum carapace size of 95 mm may be retained. Fish harvesters are authorized to release commercial-sized male crab with small claws back to the water (immature males). Possession of crab meat or crab parts separated from the carapace is prohibited during fishing activities. Soft-shelled /white crabs may also be returned to the water and protocols are in place to avoid excessive catches, handling and discarding of these crabs.

7.2.5 Quota reconciliation

The reconciliation of quota overruns was introduced in 2011 for commercial quota fisheries administered by DFO and remains in effect for the sGSL snow crab fishery. This approach ensures that any individual quota overrun incurred by a licence holder in one season is deducted from their individual quota for the following fishing season on a one-for-one basis. This is to ensure conservation of the resource and ensure that removals respect established quotas over time.

In Area 19, licence holders have an additional provision which allows them to carry forward up to 113 kg of their quota to the next season by leaving an equal amount uncaught in the current season.

7.2.6 North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) management measures

The North Atlantic right whale (NARW), listed as Endangered under the Canadian federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), is present on the sGSL snow crab fishing grounds. Canada has a suite of regulations, fisheries management measures, and initiatives in place in Atlantic Canada and Quebec to prevent entanglements. Temporary and season-long fishing area closures are implemented to non-tended fixed gear fisheries, including lobster and crab, in areas where NARWs are detected.

It is mandatory to report all lethal and non-lethal marine mammal interactions, including bycatch, collision, and all sightings of marine mammals entangled in fishing gear.

Although each trap has a biodegradable mechanism to minimize the risk of ghost fishing, fish harvesters can lose several traps per year, and addressing lost gear became a priority for the Government of Canada. The Ghost Gear Fund was implemented in 2020 to support Canada’s commitment to preventing and mitigating the risk of ghost gear fishing and encouraging the development of sustainable fishing practices, particularly as it applies to abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear. As of February 2024, the ghost gear fund helped retrieve 35,329 units of gear and 857 km of rope.

7.3 Total Allowable Catch (TAC)

In the context of the precautionary approach, an annual TAC is established for the entire sGSL biological unit which takes into account the status of the stock and established biological reference points and Harvest Decision Rules. The sGSL TAC is then allocated proportionally among the four CFAs according to a pre-established management model based on their relative annual commercial biomasses.

7.4 Precautionary approach

A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the precautionary approach is applied to key harvested stocks managed by DFO.

This decision framework is one part of an overall Sustainable Fisheries Framework for Canadian fisheries, which includes a number of other policies and initiatives, completed, or being developed, that together provide a more rigorous and comprehensive approach to managing Canada’s fisheries, factoring in ecosystem considerations. The Precautionary Approach provides guidance on the management measures to be applied based on the status of the stock.

Stock status

Precautionary Approach Critical Cautious Healthy
General approach Conservation considerations prevail. Management actions cannot be inconsistent with secure recovery. Socio-economic and conservation considerations should be balanced in a manner that reflects location in zone and trajectory. Socio-economic considerations prevail. Conservation measures consistent with sustainable use apply.
Harvest rate strategy Harvest rate (taking into account all sources of removals) kept to an absolute minimum. Harvest rate (taking into account all sources of removals) should progressively decrease from the established maximum and should promote stock rebuilding to the Healthy Zone. Harvest rate (taking into account all sources of removals) not to exceed established maximum.

This management approach is based on maintaining the appropriate harvesting rate depending on the stock status.

Biological reference points that are consistent with the Precautionary Approach policy have been established for the sGSL snow crab stock. Further information is available in the document of the Revised reference points for snow crab to account for the change in estimation area of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence biological unit.

Harvest Decision Rules that consider the status of the stock and the biological reference points were developed in this fishery with the participation of Indigenous organizations and snow crab stakeholders. A peer-review Assessment of Candidate Harvest Decision Rules for Compliance to the Precautionary Approach Framework for the Snow Crab Fishery in the sGSL took place in January 2014. The Harvest Decision Rules were accepted in 2014, then they were confirmed still appropriate and unchanged following recommendations from the sGSL Snow Crab Advisory Committee in November 2022.

The accepted rules are illustrated in the following figure and table:

Illustration of the Harvest Decision Rules according to stock levels
Figure 2: Illustration of the Harvest Decision Rules according to stock levels. With respect to the Precautionary Approach.
Description

Figure 2

  • BLIM = Limit Reference Point
  • BUSR = Upper Stock Reference Point
  • BMAX = Maximum observed commercial biomass
  • ER = Removal rate (i.e., exploitation rate)

The Harvest Decision Rule segments represented by letters A through E are described in the table below.

Harvest Decision Rule application Minimum exploitation rate Maximum exploitation rate
A. If the commercial adult male biomass is at 27,000 t or lower. 0.0% 0.0%
B. If the commercial adult male biomass is between 27,000 t and 36,000 t. 20.0% 29.0%
C. If the commercial adult male biomass is between 36,000 t and 45,540 t. 29.0% 34.6%
D. If the commercial adult male biomass is between 45,540 t and 103,400 t. 34.6% 45.0%
E. If the commercial adult male biomass is above 103,400 t. 45.0% 45.0%

*Letters A through E correspond with the segments illustrated in the figure above.

 

8 Shared stewardship arrangements

Under Section 10 of the Fisheries Act, joint-project agreements may be developed in order to support certain initiatives. This mechanism is currently being used to assist with the financing of the annual scientific snow crab trawl survey in the sGSL.

 

9 Compliance plan

9.1 Conservation and Protection Program description

The Conservation and Protection (C&P) program promotes and maintains compliance with legislation, regulations and management measures implemented to achieve the conservation and sustainable use of Canada’s aquatic resources, and the protection of species at risk, fish habitat and oceans.

The program is delivered through a balanced regulatory management and enforcement approach including:

  • promotion of compliance through education and shared stewardship;
  • monitoring, control and surveillance activities;
  • management of major cases / special investigations in relation to complex compliance issues; and
  • compliance and enforcement program capacity.

9.2 Compliance plan

Compliance in the snow crab fishery is achieved through the application of the Fisheries Act, the Fishery (General) Regulations and the Atlantic Fishery Regulations by fishery officers, as well as any variation orders made pursuant to the regulations. The following offers a general description of compliance activities carried out by C&P in the snow crab fishery.

  • Land-based fishery officers’ conduct:
    • inspection of catches to ensure compliance;
    • inspection of fishing gear;
    • dockside inspections of landings and weigh-outs;
    • licence inspections; and
    • overt and covert patrols to ensure compliance during both open and closed seasons.
  • During sea patrols, fishery officers conduct vessel inspections on snow crab gear and catches. They also proceed to licence inspections.
  • All snow crab fleets are subject to the VMS requirement. Compliance of the VMS is assessed by C&P staff and anomalies are investigated. The VMS system allows for C&P to be more effective with its resource utilization.
  • C&P assures quality control of the Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) through dockside audits and investigation of incidents related to dockside observer performance. C&P usually resolves irregularities in collaboration with dockside monitoring companies but reserves the right to recommend revocation of designation in serious cases of unprofessional or irregular observer conduct.
  • The snow crab fleet is subject to at-sea-observer coverage to, among other things, support the C&P compliance program.
  • Routine aerial patrols are conducted in the fishing areas covered by this plan. This is a valuable means of ensuring compliance with seasonal and area closures as well as investigating reports of illegal activity.

9.3 Consultation

Shared stewardship and education are promoted through emphasis on the importance of C&P communication with the community at large including:

  • Presentations to client/stakeholder groups, including school visits or community programs. Informal interaction with all parties involved in the fishery on the wharf, during patrols or in the community to promote conservation.
  • Participation of C&P Supervisors in advisory meetings with stakeholders to determine expectations in relation to monitoring, control and surveillance activities.
  • Participation of C&P personnel in Enforcement Round Tables in order to establish an ongoing relationship and partnership with stakeholder representatives from all sectors of the communities interested in the conservation and protection of the marine resources and habitat.
  • Participation of C&P personnel (liaison officer) during consultations and annual meetings organized with Indigenous groups by DFO’s Indigenous affairs division.

9.4 Compliance performance

The purpose of this compliance plan is to achieve high compliance rates with the sGSL snow crab fishery regulations through effective programs and through productive and ongoing communications with stakeholders and Indigenous organizations. These programs help ensure compliance with management measures established in this fishery.

The compliance performance may be measured by a number of indicators, including:

  • Total of fishery officers’ hours worked;
  • Total hours of patrols;
  • Number of vessels inspected;
  • Number of vehicles inspected;
  • Number of persons inspected;
  • Number of gear inspected;
  • Number of sites inspected;
  • Number of violations / warnings;
  • Number of successful prosecutions;
  • Compliance with Variations Orders and Ministerial Orders; and
  • Compliance with licence conditions

9.5 Current compliance issues

There are some compliance deficiencies in the snow crab fishery. Most violations are associated with:

  • fishing during closed time;
  • fishing in a closed area due to the presence of North Atlantic right whales;
  • illegal gear;
  • not respecting the minimum time required for the call and the Hail-out;
  • departing without an at-sea-observer; and
  • possessions of snow crab that is less than 95 mm in width.

 

10 Performance review

The sGSL Snow Crab Advisory Committee meetings allow for discussions on the management of the fishery. The following indicators will be used to determine if the objectives are met.

  • Stock conservation objectives
    • Ensure high quality scientific data collection to assess the sGSL snow crab stock abundance and trends.
    • Ensure the reproductive potential of the stock is preserved by establishing a harvest strategy that implements all of the elements of the Precautionary Approach into the snow crab fisheries management decisions.
    • Protect recruitment to the fishery by the continued implementation of a monitoring program to minimize the capture, handling, discarding and landings of soft-shelled/white crab.
  • Stock conservation indicators
    • Scientific surveys collect adequate information for assessing the sGSL snow crab stock abundance and trends.
    • The harvest strategy, including the Harvest Decision Rules are implemented every year and evaluated every five years.
    • The soft-shelled/white crab protocol is applied. The at-sea observers collect adequate data on soft-shelled/white crab.
  • Ecosystem objectives
    • Ensure that any potential collateral effects, including bycatches, of fishing on other species or habitats are mitigated.
    • Minimize interactions with other species, particularly the NARW, a species at risk.
    • Minimize ghost gear.
    • Minimize impacts on sensitive benthic areas, (i.e., Coral and Sponge Conservation Areas) that falls within the sGSL snow crab fishing areas.
    • Contribute to the protection of marine and coastal areas.
  • Ecosystem indicators
    • Compliance with the requirement that the configuration of fishing gear minimizes the capture of non-targeted species and maximizes their escapement.
    • Compliance with the closed fishing areas to protect the NARW.
    • Compliance with the requirements of fish harvesters to report lost gear.
    • The Policy for Managing the Impact of Fishing on Sensitive Benthic Areas is implemented in collaboration with the stakeholders and Indigenous groups in specific areas, as required.
    • Compliance with the prohibition of fishing in the closure areas for the corals and sponges’ conservations areas and in the Marine Protected Area.
  • Stewardship objectives
    • Maintain open and transparent working relationships with Indigenous groups and other stakeholders of the sGSL snow crab fishery and build a collaborative approach between and among all.
    • Provide forums for Indigenous groups and stakeholders to share their views and for DFO to consult on the management of the fishery.
  • Stewardship indicators
    • At minimum hold annual sGSL Snow Crab Advisory Committee meetings.
    • High level of participation by Indigenous groups and other stakeholders in the consultative process.
    • When appropriate, under Section 10 of the Fisheries Act, joint-project agreements will be in place in order to support certain initiatives such as the scientific survey.
  • Socio-economic objectives
    • Provide stability, transparency, and predictability in the management of the fishery.
    • Provide stable access to the resource to allow industry stakeholders to develop long-term business plans.
    • Work with interested fleets on initiatives such as in the development and modernization of Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) programs so as to contribute to economic viability and to facilitate fleet restructuring and the administration of quota.
    • Show evidence that regulatory measures are comparable in effectiveness to those in place in the US for reducing marine mammal incidental mortality and serious injury in the sGSL snow crab commercial fishery.
  • Socio-economic indicators
    • The TAC for the fishery is set in a transparent manner and respects the Precautionary Approach.
    • Stability of access to the resource is in place.
    • Interested fleets develop and implement ITQ administrative guidelines in a transparent manner.
    • Snow crab products from the sGSL continue to be allowed in the US market.
  • Compliance objectives
    • Promote a fishery that operates in an efficient and orderly manner that respects applicable legal and regulatory elements.
  • Compliance indicators
    • Frequency of monitoring activities, inspections, breaches, and major cases/special investigations in relation to complex compliance issues.

 

11 Safety at sea

DFO is committed to conducting the fishery season openings in each CFA as safely as possible by respecting existing opening date protocols and ensuring that the various fishing sectors and federal departments are part of the consultation process as per the Terms of Reference of the Committee for Setting the Opening Date for the Snow Crab Fishery.

Additional safety-at-sea information from Transport Canada can be found in Appendix 2.

 

12 References

Kaiser, M.J., Collie, J.S., Hall, S.J., Jennings, S. &. Poiner, I.R. 2003. Impacts of fishing gear on marine benthic habitats. In M. Sinclair & G. Valdimarsson, eds. Responsible fisheries in the marine ecosystem, pp. 197-216. Rome, Italy, and Wallingford, UK. FAO and CABI Publishing.

 

Glossary

Abundance
Number of individuals or total weight of animals in a stock or a population.
Allocation
A portion or share of the total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to a class of vessels or fleet.
Biomass
Total weight of all individuals in a stock or a population.
Bycatch
The unintentional catch of one species when the target is another.
Carapace size
In the case of snow crab, means the distance measured in a straight line through the greatest breadth of the shell of the crab.
Co-management
The sharing of responsibility and accountability.
Commercial biomass
The total amount or weight of the species that may be caught and retained.
Communal commercial licence
Licence issued to Indigenous organizations pursuant to the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations for the participation to the commercial fishery.
Crab Fishing Area (CFA)
A management area established in regulation for the purposes of supporting the management of the snow crab fishery within a given geographic area.
Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP)
A monitoring program that is conducted by an independent company that has been designated by DFO, which verifies the species composition and landed weight of fish landed. For snow crab, the coverage is 100% of the vessels in the fishery.
Ecosystem
The whole of a system with all the interactions between parts, living and non-living.
Exploitation rate
Percentage of the available commercial biomass which is harvested.
Fishing effort
Intensity of fishing using a given gear (e.g., traps hauled) over a period of time within a geographic area.
Individual Quota (IQ)
The further division of fleet quotas to individual enterprises or vessels. Where such allocations are transferrable under established guidelines, they are referred to as Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs).
Inshore fleets
The fishing sector where fish harvesters are generally restricted to using vessels less than 19.8m (65') length over all (LOA) (notwithstanding section 48.5).
Limited entry
A fishery management policy in place to limit fishing effort (total number of licences) and to support economic viability of enterprises.
Marshall Response Initiative
In response to the Supreme Court of Canada decision in the Marshall (1999) case on the commercial aspects of Aboriginal fishing rights, DFO introduced a series of initiatives to support the participation by First Nations in commercial fisheries.
Mesh size
Size of the mesh of a net. Different fisheries have different minimum or maximum mesh size regulations.
Metric ton (mt)
Equal to 1,000 kg or 2,204.6 lbs.
Midshore
In the commercial fisheries licensing policy, midshore means the fishing sector where licence holders are permitted to use vessels up to 30.5m (100’) length over all (LOA), excluding licence holders in the inshore fishing sector. However, for the purposes of the snow crab fishery in CFA 12, the midshore fleet refers to the snow crab enterprises which were present in 1990 and includes several enterprises with vessels less than 19.8 m (65') LOA.
Population
Group of individuals of the same species, forming a breeding unit, and sharing a habitat.
Precautionary Approach
Set of measures and actions, including future courses of action, which ensures prudent foresight, reduces, or avoids risk to the resource, the environment, and the people, to the extent possible, taking explicitly into account existing uncertainties and the potential consequences of being wrong.
Quota
Portion of the total allowable catch that a unit such as vessel class, country, etc. is permitted to take from a stock in a given period of time.
Recruitment
Amount or weight of individuals becoming part of the exploitable stock for the first time; e.g., at a size that can be legally caught and retained in a fishery.
Scientific survey
Survey at sea, on a research vessel, allowing scientists to obtain information on the abundance and distribution of various species and/or collect oceanographic data. Ex: bottom trawl survey, plankton survey, hydro-acoustic survey, etc.
Shared stewardship
An approach to fisheries management whereby participants are involved in fisheries management decision-making processes at appropriate levels, contribute specialized knowledge and experience, and share in accountability for outcomes.
Spawning stock
Sexually mature component of the stock or population.
Stock
Describes a population of individuals of one species found in a particular area.
Stock assessment
Scientific evaluation of the status of a species belonging to the same stock within a particular area in a given time period.
Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
The amount of catch that may be taken from a stock over a given period of time.
Trawl
Cone-shaped net towed in the water by a boat called a "trawler". Bottom trawls are towed along the ocean floor to catch species such as groundfish. Mid-water trawls are towed within the water column.
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)
VMS is a satellite-based, near real-time positional tracking system that provides vessel name, location, and activity.

 

Appendix 1

CFA 12 Total allowable catch (TAC) distribution
TAC distribution Percentage of TAC
First Nations* 17.596%
Traditional fleets* 67.527%
New access 14.877%
Total 100%

*Four licences that are issued to First Nations were acquired from the traditional “midshore” fleet and are included in the First Nations fleet.

CFA 12 TAC Distribution to traditional fleets
TAC Distribution Percentage of TAC
“Midshore” - New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia 59.966%
Inshore (Area 18), Nova Scotia 4.002%
Inshore, Prince Edward Island 3.559%
Total 67.527%
CFA 12 TAC Distribution to new access fleets
TAC Distribution Percentage of TAC
New Brunswick 7.128%
Quebec 4.837%
Nova Scotia 0.913%
Prince Edward Island 1.999%
Total 14.877%
CFA 12E TAC Distribution
TAC Distribution Percentage of TAC
New Brunswick 75%
Quebec 12.5%
Prince Edward Island 12.5%
Total 100%
CFA 12F TAC Distribution
TAC Distribution Percentage of TAC
Traditional, Quebec 58.38%
Traditional, Nova Scotia (includes one First Nation) 26.53%
New Access, Quebec 10.37%
New Access, Nova Scotia 4.72%
Total 100%

Crab Fishing Area 19

An individual trap transfer quota management system is in place for this fishery. The total number of traps / shares is 1,699. One trap is equivalent to one share of the TAC. The maximum number of traps / shares any one fish harvester can hold is 26 and the minimum is three. The number of licences in this fishery can vary between 145 and 184.

 

Appendix 2

Safety at sea (Transport Canada)

Vessel owners and masters have a duty to ensure the safety of their crew and vessel. Adherence to safety regulations and good practices by owners, masters and crew of fishing vessels will help save lives, protect the vessel from damage and protect the environment. All fishing vessels must be in a seaworthy condition and maintained as required by Transport Canada (TC), and other applicable agencies. Vessels subject to inspection should ensure that the certificate of inspection is valid for the area of intended operation.

In the federal government, responsibility for shipping, navigation, and vessel safety regulations and inspections lies with Transport Canada (TC); emergency response with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and DFO has responsibility for management of the fisheries resources while ensuring that safety at Sea is considered. DFO, the CCG and TC have an MOU to formalize cooperation and to establish, maintain and promote a safe culture within the fishing industry.

Before leaving on a voyage the owner, master or operator must ensure that the fishing vessel is capable of safely making the passage. Critical factors for a safe voyage include the seaworthiness of the vessel, vessel stability, having the required safety equipment in good working order, crew training, and knowledge of current and forecasted weather conditions.

TC useful publication include Publication TP 10038 - Small Fishing Vessel Safety Manual.

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