Approved March 27, 2026
1. Application
This Area 12F snow crab Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to traditional fish harvesters and to New Access fish harvesters from Quebec and Nova Scotia (NS) for the 2026 fishing season.
2. Fishing areas
The Crab fishing area (CFA) 12F is a part of CFA 12.
The CFA coordinates are listed in the conditions of licence and are also indicated on the fishing areas maps, which are available at the following address: Commercial Fisheries.
3. Fishing closures
The fishery remains prohibited in a buffer zone that separates CFA 12F and 19.
4. Fishing seasons
An opening committee, composed of industry and departmental representatives, is in place to discuss the opening date for the crab fishery in CFA 12F. The opening date will be confirmed by a variation order (VO) following the final recommendation of the opening committee.
The fishery will close on June 30, 2026, at 23:59 Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT). All gear must be removed from the water by the end of the day June 30th, meaning that the hauling of gear is prohibited after June 30th, but landing of traps and crabs can occur on July 1st.
The CHP will be in effect for the duration of the fishing season. It represents the maximum fishing period and is subject, among other things, to VOs and specific period of closures. As such, the opening date may vary depending on particular circumstances and fisheries management considerations, while the closing date may be advanced according to factors such as if the entire CFA quota has been caught or when the risk of exceeding it is high. Opening and closing fishing dates will be confirmed through usual communication means, such as Notices to Fish Harvesters and VOs.
It should be noted that it is the captain's responsibility to take into account the marine safety notices published by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Transport Canada (TC), as well as applicable standards and best practices in marine safety, and to take all necessary measures to ensure a safe fishery during the authorized fishing period.
5. Number of licences and access
The crab fishery in CFA 12F is conducted by four groups:
- 15 licences composed of the Traditional group and the New Access group (mobile gear)
- 5 licences composed of the Traditional group from NS
- The New Access group - Lobster fishers - Îles-de-la-Madeleine (Associations)
- The New Access group – NS (Associations and Indigenous groups)
The terms and conditions of access to CFA 12 by CFA 12F licence holders in case of closures for their fishing grounds resulting from the North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) protection measures remain in effect and available at the following link: Criteria for access to Crab Fishing Area 12 by Areas 12E and 12F fish harvesters in case of closures of the fishing grounds. This access will be defined in the condition of licence of the CFA 12E and 12F licence holders.
6. Management regime
Individual transferable quotas (ITQ) regime.
6.1 Total allowable catches and quotas
A sharing formula of the total allowable catch (TAC) between groups is in effect in CFA 12F.
The allocation is shared in a proportion of 84.91% to Traditional Îles-de-la-Madeleine and NS licence holders and 15.09% to New Access licence holders of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Gaspésie and NS.
In addition, a regional sharing, i.e. 68.75% for Quebec and 31.25% for NS is applied.
The TAC for 2026 is set at 1124.85 tonnes (t). This TAC is broken down as follows:
- Traditional and New Access (mobile gear group): 755.54 t
- Traditional - NS: 298.47 t
- New Access group – Lobster fishers- Îles-de-la-Madeleine: 17.80 t
- New Access group – NS: 53.04 t
6.2 ITQ management procedures
Administrative guidelines of the ITQ program of the Quebec fleet are included in the regional guidelines, available on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Quebec Region website at the following address: Regional guideline for the management of ITQ.
DFO allows temporary transfers of up to 50% of a licence holder's initial quota under the owner-operator policy within the same fishing season and within the same DFO administrative region (Quebec, NS). No additional traps will be authorized during a temporary quota transfer during the fishing season.
6.3 Quota reconciliation
DFO applies the quota reconciliation for snow crab CFA 12F. Thus, any individual quota overrun incurred by licence holders in a season will be deducted by a one-to-one ratio, from their individual quota for the following season. It is the responsibility of licence holders to track their quotas to ensure that catches taken in the course of their fishing operations comply with the quotas allocated to them.
7. Catch management
7.1 Minimum catch size
It is prohibited to have in his possession any snow crabs that are less than 95 mm in carapace width.
7.2 Discarding incidental catches
The possession or retention of incidental catches is prohibited. Consequently, the licence holder and fishing vessel operator must forthwith return any incidental catch to the place from which it was taken and where it is alive, in a manner that causes it the least harm.
7.3 Other protocols
Discarding of snow crab with a carapace width equal to or over 95 mm is prohibited, unless it is a white crab or juvenile crab. The discarding of white crab and juvenile crab (small claws) is allowed. These must be returned to the water, where they were captured, and if they are still alive, in a manner that causes them the least harm.
A protocol for soft shell crab is in place and will be applied if concerning situations are observed.
8. Fishing gear
The authorized fishing gear is trap.
8.1 Number of authorized fishing gear
The maximum number of traps for Traditional fish harvesters is 75. Additional traps could be allowed under the ITQ Administrative Guidelines.
The maximum number of traps authorized for New Access licence holders is distributed as follows:
- ITQ less than or equal to 11.34 t (25 000 lbs): 35 traps
- ITQ between 11.35 t and 18.14 t (25-40 000 lbs): 50 traps
- ITQ between 18.15 t and 31.75 t (40-70 000 lbs): 65 traps
- ITQ above or equal to 31.75 t 70 000 lbs): 75 traps
In 2026, a pilot project will be in place, which will allow Traditional – Îles-de-la-Madeleine and NS licence holders, as well as New Access licence holders reaching the maximum level of traps within this group, to use 10% additional traps at the start of the season. More details on this pilot project will be communicated to eligible fish harvesters through a separate Notice to Fish Harvesters.
8.2 Characteristics of fishing gear
Requirements regarding mesh size, escape mechanisms, and ropes are described in the conditions of licence.
8.3 Hauling and soaking duration
It is the responsibility of fish harvesters to lift their gear at least every 72 hours.
8.4 Fishing gear marking
All traps used for fishing must have a single valid annual tag with a unique identification number. Fishers must obtain their tags from DFO approved suppliers. It is prohibited to have untagged fishing gear on board a fishing vessel. A list of these suppliers is available at the following link: Approved tag suppliers.
In addition to the regulatory requirement to mark buoys with the vessel registration number (VRN) or vessel identification number (VIN), licence holders are required to add a sequential number on each primary buoy in order to be able to individually identify each fishing gear.
The minimum requirements regarding the number and position of rope colour markings are detailed in the conditions of licence. Information is also available in the Notice to Fish Harversters of August 14, 2020.
8.5 Requirement to report lost and retrieved gear
The licence holder and fishing vessel operator must report any loss or recovery of fishing gear. Reports regarding the loss or recovery of gear must be submitted to DFO through the online Fishing Gear Reporting System or by completing and submitting the Fishing Gear Loss Report Form or the Previously Lost Gear Recovery Report Form, which are available online and attached to the conditions of licence.
Additional details are also available at the following link: 2026 - Conditions of Licence: Changes to Reporting of Lost / Retrieved Fishing Gear.
9. Marine mammal interaction reporting
Licence holders and fishing vessel operators must provide information regarding all interactions with a marine mammal that occur during fishing expeditions in accordance with the conditions of licence. To do so, the licence holder and fishing vessel operator must complete the section reserved for that purpose in the Electronic Logbook (ELOG) or the marine mammal interaction form available on the Report a marine mammal or sea turtle incident or sighting page, attach it to the conditions of licence and it must be submitted as per the instructions provided on the form.
In addition, if you observe a dead or distressed animal, please contact Marine Mammal Emergencies as soon as possible at 1-877-722-5346. If possible, do not hesitate to take photos or videos that will allow DFO to assess the situation and identify the species.
10. Fishing activities declaration and monitoring
10.1 Electronic logbook
The use of an ELOG is mandatory. Fish harvesters must use a client application approved by DFO, Quebec region, for the ELOG - Logbook – Crabs forms. Furthermore, fish harvesters must have obtained and installed their ELOG key in their client application to allow data transmission to DFO.
The ELOG must be completed for each fishing expedition and “closed” before arriving at port/landing. A fishing expedition means a voyage that commences at the time a fishing vessel leaves a port to engage in fishing and terminates at the time fish caught during that period are offloaded. Hence, if a fisher goes back to port for a reason other than offloading fish and leaves port again, the fishing expedition goes on until fish are offloaded.
To consult the list of client applications approved by DFO and to obtain your ELOG key, visit DFO's web page at the following address: Electronic logbooks (ELOGs).
To request a modification to data that has been transmitted to DFO, you must communicate with the client support service at 1-877-535-7307 or by e-mail at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
10.2 Vessel monitoring system
The use of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) approved by DFO is mandatory. Each licence holder must register their DFO-approved VMS unit prior to the beginning of their fishing activities. Data transmission every 5 minutes is required. The current list of DFO-approved VMS units and the procedure and form to register a VMS unit are available at the following address: National Vessel Monitoring System.
10.3 Hail out
Fish harvesters have to call the following telephone numbers: 1-833-699-2013 (toll free) or 1-506- 431-3223 (satellite phone only) to make new, modifications and cancellations of hail-outs, in accordance with the requirements described in the conditions of licence.
10.4 At-sea observers
The minimum percentage of at-sea observer (ASO) coverage is 15% of fishing trips. This monitoring program is funded by industry.
10.5 Hail in and dockside monitoring
Dockside monitoring is mandatory for 100% of landings. All catches must be weighed on a scale at the time of landing.
Prior to the beginning of a fishing expedition, the licence holders must have entered into an entry call and landing agreement with a dockside monitoring company legally designated by DFO.
For Quebec Region licence holders, a list is available at: Designated Dockside Monitoring Ports. For licence holders from Gulf Region, the list of designated ports is identified in the conditions of licence.
You must communicate your unique Electronic Logbook Identifier (ELOG-UID) to the Dockside Monitoring Company before hail in and also provide it to the dockside observer.
11. Particularities applicable to the fishery
11.1 Characteristics and use of boats
Fish harvesters may use a vessel with a maximum length less than 19.81 m (65 feet).
11.2 Buddy-up and partnership
The creation of buddy-up (Quebec region) or partnerships (Gulf region) is authorized between two fish harvesters from the same DFO region. Both licence holders must be present on the boat during the fishing activities. As a pilot project for the 2026 season, the number of traps that can be used will be equal to the sum of all traps authorized under each licence.
Licence holders benefiting from a buddy-up or partnership agreement will be jointly responsible for any violation committed during fishing activities resulting from their agreement, if applicable.
12. Species at risk act
Pursuant to the Species at Risk Act, no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual or any part or derivate of a wildlife species designated as extirpated, endangered or threatened.
At the time this CHP is promulgated, the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence species susceptible to being captured are the following: the Spotted Wolffish, the Northern Wolffish, the Leatherback Turtle and the Striped Bass (St. Lawrence River population). New species could be added during the course of the year.
All incidental captures of species at risk must be immediately returned to the water where they were captured and, if the animal is still alive, in the manner that causes it the least harm. All incidental captures of species at risk must be recorded in the ''Species at Risk'' section of the logbook. Furthermore, all interactions with species at risk, notably the NARW, the Blue Whale (Atlantic population), the Beluga Whale (St. Lawrence Estuary population) and the White Shark (Atlantic population), must be recorded in this section of the logbook.
These requirements are additional to any obligation to declare an interaction with a marine mammal using the prescribed form (see section Marine mammal interaction reporting).
13. Crew registry
All independant core licence holders and their approved designated operators must keep records of all the crew members working aboard the vessel on every fishing trip in accordance with their conditions of licence. This requirement does not apply to pre-1979 corporation licences and to any licence issued under the authority of the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations. For further details, refer to the March 17th, 2021 Notice to Fish Harvesters, New inshore regulations or contact the licensing office at 1-877-535-7307 or fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
14. Discharge of waste
The licence holder and fishing vessel operator are prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries waters from their vessel any item that may be harmful to fish or fish habitat. Please refer to the following Notice to Fish Harvesters: New condition of licence relating to discharge of garbage.
15. Conditions of licence
To obtain their conditions of licence, fish harvesters must access the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). For NOLS assistance, please contact customer support by phone at 1 877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Note: In the event of a discrepancy between the French and English versions of the CHP, the French version shall prevail.
Approved by:
Maryse Lemire
Fisheries Management Regional Director
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec