Notices to Fish Harvesters

Approved April 20, 2023

1. Application

This Conservation-based harvesting plan (CHP) applies to lobster licence holders of areas 15, 16,17 and 18.

2. Fishing areas

• Area 15: From the Quebec-Labrador frontier to Matchiatic Island
• Area 16: From Matchiatic Island to de l'Étang river
• Sub-area 17A: From Port-Menier’s wharf to Rivière du Brick
• Sub-area 17B: From the east side of Rivière du Brick to Port-Menier’s wharf
• Sub-area 18B: From Baie-Comeau’s fish harvesters’ wharf to the East Point of Ile du Petit Caouis
• Sub-area 18C: From the East Point of Ile du Petit Caouis to Rivière Brochu
• Sub-area 18D: From Rivière Brochu to Rivière au Bouleau
• Sub-area 18G: From the point midway between Ile Quinn and Ile du Havre to Rivière de la Corneille
• Sub-area 18H: From Rivière de la Corneille to Rivière de l'Étang
• Sub-area 18I : From de l’Étang river to pointe Kégaska

The fishing areas 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. Permanent closure of fishing areas

3.1. Coral and Sponge Conservation Areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence

On December 15, 2017, Fisheries and Oceans Canada created eleven coral and sponge conservation areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in order to protect areas with high concentrations of sponges and sea pens.

All fishing activities that use bottom-contact gear or gear designed to come into contact with the sea bed, including but not limited to bottom trawls, dredges, gillnets, bottom longlines, bottom seines and traps, are forbidden in the conservation areas.

For more information and maps of the eleven coral and sponge conservation areas, please visit the dedicated DFO website: Coral and Sponge Conservation Measures in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence

4. Fishing seasons

• Areas 17AB and 18BCDGH: 11 weeks.
• This period does not take into account the setting of traps allowed in sub-area 17B.
• Areas 15, 16 and Sub-area 18I: 12 weeks.

The following seasons will be in effect for the duration of this CHP. They represent the maximum duration of fishing periods. Opening dates may vary according to particular circumstances such as industry requests and the TAC announcement while closing dates may be advanced according to factors such as the reach of quotas or when risks of exceeding them are high. Opening and closing fishing dates of each fleet will be confirmed through usual communication means, particularly Notices to Fish Harvesters or Variation Orders.

It should be reminded that it is the responsibility of the captain to acquaint himself with the marine safety notices published by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada as well as with the standards and best practices in marine safety and to take all measures necessary to insure a safe fishery during the period where fishing is authorized.

5. Number of licences and access

• Area 15: 66 licences
• Area 16: 9 licences
• Sub-area 17A: 1 licence*
• Sub-area 17B: 15 licences
• Sub-area 18B: 1 licence
• Sub-area 18C: 1 licence
• Sub-area 18D: 1 licence
• Sub-area 18G: 1 licence
• Sub-area 18H: 4 licences
• Sub-area 18I: Access to sub-area 18I is authorized to the lobster licence holders of area 16.

*The sub-area 17A licence can be reissued only to a fish harvester who has his permanent residence on Anticosti Island.

6. Quotas

6.1. Sub-area 17A

To ensure supplies to Anticosti Island, a total allowable catch (TAC) for Subarea 17A was initially set at 4,536 kg.

This quantity was revised to 6804 kg as part of a pilot project in 2018. Subarea 17A is again granted a TAC of 6,804 kg in 2023. This measure will be reassessed on an annual basis and may be reviewed or abolished at the end of each fishing season. For each year of this fishing plan,TAC established from the annual analysis, as well as the number of authorized traps, will appear in the licence conditions.

The catch will have to be landed at the Port-Menier,s wharf in order to supply Anticosti Island residents and businesses as a priority. The remaining quantities of the total allowable catch may, if necessary, subsequently be sold outside the Island.

7. Management Regime

• Areas 15 and 16: Competitive, by control of fishing effort.
• Sub-area 17A: By control of fishing effort with application of a TAC.
• Sub-areas 17B, 18B-C-D-G and H: Competitive, by control of fishing effort.

8. Minimum catch size

• 82 mm for areas 15 and 16.
• 83 mm for the areas 17 and 18.

9. Fishing gear

9.1. Dimensions and maximum number of traps

Dimensions and maximum number of traps

Fishing area	Dimension of traps*	Maximum number of traps**
15	Type 1	175
15	Type 2	250
16	Type 1	175
16	Type 2	250
17A	Type 1	35
17A	Type 2	50
17B	Type 1	210
17B	Type 2	300
18	Type 1	175
18	Type 2	250

*The licence holders are authorized to use 2 types of lobster traps:

• Type 1: Traps which maximum length, maximum width and maximum height are equal to or less than 124 cm x 90 cm x 50 cm (49’’ x 36”” x 19”¾).
• Type 2: Traps which maximum length, maximum width and maximum height are equal to or less than 92 cm x 71 cm x 50 cm (36’’ x 28’’ x 19”¾).

**For all Areas and Sub-areas, when Type 1 and Type 2 traps are used simultaneously, the maximum quantity of traps that can be used is equivalent to the quantity permitted for Type 1 traps.

9.2. Escape vents

The lobster traps must be equipped with escape vents that meet the specifications described in the Conditions of licence.

9.3. Tagging

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. A list of these suppliers is available at the following address: Approved Tag Suppliers.

It is prohibited to have untagged fishing gear on board a fishing vessel. In 2023, the original tags are green (all fisheries except southern Gulf snow crab) or pink (southern Gulf snow crab) and the replacement tags are orange.

9.4. Gear soaking time

It is the licence holder’s responsibility to make sure the soaking time of his/her fishing gear never exceeds 72 consecutive hours.

9.5. Setting of traps (Sub-area 17B)

The sub-area 17B lobster licence holders are authorized to set their traps unbaited only during the first two (2) days of the fishery. At all times from the opening date set by the Variation Order and until 05 h on the third day, traps must not hold any bait. This condition relates to the duration of the fishing season and to security at sea. The setting period does not increase the number of fishing days recommended by DFO Science and Fisheries Management directions.

10. Management measures to minimize the risks of interactions with the North Atlantic Right Whale

Since 2017, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has put in place additional management measures to protect marine mammal including the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale from entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes. These measures take into account the best available scientific data and can be adapted if necessary to take into account future developments regarding interactions prevention.

The following requirements have been implemented in order to reduce the risk of entanglement of North Atlantic Right Whales:

10.1. Amount of rope floating on the surface of the water

The following requirements are in place to minimize the length of rope floating on the surface of the water and reduce the risk of North Atlantic Right Whales entanglements:

• A maximum of 6.4 metres (3.5 fathoms) of rope shall be used when attaching  secondary buoys to a primary buoy.
• At the exception of the rope attaching secondary buoys, no rope shall float on the surface of the water at any time.

Note: A primary buoy is defined as a buoy or other floating device attached to a fishing gear. A secondary buoy is defined as a buoy or other floating device attached to a primary buoy.

10.2. Gear Marking

Licence holders using fixed gear must mark the rope used to attach a fishing gear to a primary buoy with colours specific to the region, targeted species and fishing area in which they are authorized to fish. This requirement is intended to facilitate the identification of the area where an entanglement has occurred. The following coloured markings are required for each fleet:

Coloured markings are required for each fleet

Fleet	Twine colours for marking
Lobster area 15	Green-Yellow-Red
Lobster area 16 and Sub-area 18I	Green-Yellow-Green
Lobster area 17	Green-Yellow-Black
Lobster area 18 (excluding18I)	Green-Yellow-Blue

The gear marking requirement consisting of interlacing different coloured twine sections within existing rope must be implemented as follows:

1. The first colour to identify specific Region – to be interlaced on the same segment of rope as the second colour.
2. The second colour to identify target Species – to be interlaced on the same segment of rope as the first colour.
3. The third colour to mark different fishing areas must be interlaced. The third colour must be interlaced immediately before or after the segment of rope containing the first two colours. The third colour must not be interlaced within the same segment containing the first and second colour.

The above coloured twine markings must be permanently interlaced within the rope. Each coloured twine must be interlaced in the rope on a minimum length of 15 cm. The use of paint or tape is not an admissible alternative to twine.

The minimum requirements regarding the number and position of colour markings are detailed in the Conditions of licence.

For more information

All the information on gear marking measures has been published in Notice to Fish Harvesters, available at the following link:

Notice to Fish Harvesters

10.3. Additional Identification of Buoys

In addition to the regulatory requirement to mark buoys with the vessel registration number (VRN), licence holders are required to add a sequential number on each primary buoy in order to be able to individually identify each fishing gear. This additional requirement will help identify and retrieve lost gear and could also help identify the sector where a NARW may have become entangled.

The sequential number shall be solid block Arabic numerals:

• Without ornamentation;
• Written in a smaller or bigger font size than the VRN so as to be capable of differentiating the number from the VRN; and
• In a colour that contrasts with the buoy’s colour.

10.4. Requirement to report lost and retrieved gear

Lost gear reporting

Lost fishing gear is defined as any active fishing gear previously set by the licence holder and fishing vessel operator which was sought but not found.

The licence holder or fishing vessel operator must report any of their lost fishing gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of lost gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) through the FISHING GEAR Reporting system available online at Fishing Gear Reporting System or by completing the Lost fishing gear form available online at Reporting requirements for commercial fisheries  or in Annex of Conditions of licence, according to instructions on the form.

If the licence holder or fishing vessel operator is using an Electronic logbook, lost fishing gear must be reported to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of lost gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook.

Retrieved gear reporting

The licence holder or fishing vessel operator must report the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of retrieved gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) through the Fishing gear reporting system available online at https://internet.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/en/login or by completing the Retrieval of previously reported lost fishing gear form available online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reporting or in Annex of Conditions of licence, according to instructions on the form. Retrieval can only occur during the validity period of the Conditions of licence and only in relation to the specific type of gear authorized to be used by the Conditions of licence.

If the licence holder or fishing vessel operator is using an Electronic logbook , the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear must be reported within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of retrieved gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook.

10.5. What to do if you observe a North Atlantic right whale

First of all, it is important to maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the animal and 200 meters if the whale is accompanied by a calve. Details regarding sightings of live and free-swimming right whales may be provided to DFO at: XMARWhalesightings@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by phone at 1-844-800-8568. If you observe this species, please send us your contact information and information about the sighting (date, time, geographical position, number of individuals, etc.). If possible, you can also send us photos or videos.

If you see a right whale entangled in fishing gear, you should not under any circumstances attempt to release it on your own. The behaviour of an entangled individual is unpredictable and dangerous. You should contact "Marine Mammal Emergencies" at 1-877-722-5346 as soon as possible to share information that will help to organize an appropriate response by experts (time and position of the entangled animal, behaviour of the individual, details on the weather and the state of the sea, etc.).

11. Marine mammal interaction reporting

Licence holders must provide information regarding all interactions with a marine mammal that occur during fishing expeditions including: bycatch, collisions and all sightings of entangled marine mammals. To do this, the Marine Mammal Interaction Form 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.

A copy of the form is attached to the Conditions of licence and can also be downloaded and submitted online at the following address:  Report a marine mammal or sea turtle incident or sighting

The information provided on this form will be used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to estimate levels of accidental mortality and injury to marine mammals. This information will allow DFO to better assess the types of threats that may affect Canada's marine mammals and to develop mitigation strategies.

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.

12. Fishing effort and catch data declaration

12.1. Combined form / Logbook

Areas 15, 16, 17A and 18

The licence holders must acquire their booklet of Combined Forms from a prequalified supplier identified by DFO, whose list is available at the following address: Prequalified Suppliers

The Logbook section must be completed before arrival at port and the completed form must be sent to DFO.

12.2. Electronic logbook

Areas 15, 16, 17A and 18

The use of an electronic logbook (Elog) is optional in 2023. Fish harvesters must use a client application approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the Quebec region for the form  ELOG - Logbook - Lobster. Furthermore, fish harvesters must have obtained and installed their Elog Key in their client application in order to allow data transmission to the Department.

The Elog must be completed for each fishing expedition and “closed” before 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, when a fisher goes back to port for a reason other than for offloading fish and leaves port again, the fishing expedition goes on until fish are offloaded.

To consult the list of client applications approved by the Department and to obtain you Elog key, visit Fisheries and Ocean’s web page at the following address: Electronic logbooks (ELOGS)

To request a modification to data that has been transmitted to Fisheries and Oceans, you must communicate with the client support service at 1-877-535-7307.

Sub-area 17B

The use of an electronic logbook (Elog) is mandatory. Fish harvesters must use a client application approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the Quebec region for the form  ELOG - Logbook - Lobster. Furthermore, fish harvesters must have obtained and installed their Elog Key in their client application in order to allow data transmission to the Department.

The Elog must be completed for each fishing expedition and “closed” before 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, when a fisher goes back to port for a reason other than for offloading fish and leaves port again, the fishing expedition goes on until fish are offloaded.

All fishing activity data for the 2023 season of licence holders in sub-area 17B will be entered in the Electronic Logbook (Elog) and the Paper Logbook. The paper logbook must be properly filled before arriving at port/landing and must be sent 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, when a fisher goes back to port for a reason other than for offloading fish and leaves port again, the fishing expedition goes on until fish are offloaded.

To consult the list of client applications approved by the Department and to obtain your Elog key, visit Fisheries and Ocean’s web page at the following address: Electronic logbooks (ELOGS)

To request a modification to data that has been transmitted to Fisheries and Oceans, you must communicate with the client support service at 1-877-535-7307.

13. Vessel Monitoring System

In areas 17 and 18 (excluding 18I), the use of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) approved by DFO is mandatory. Each licence holder must register his DFO-approved VMS unit prior to the beginning of his fishing activities. Data transmission every 15 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

14. Boat

Licence holders may use a vessel with a maximum length of less than 15.2 m, as prescribed by the vessel replacement rules.

All auxiliary crafts used for fishing lobster have to be registered towards DFO and bear a Vessel Registration Number (VRN). Furthermore, it must be identified on the Conditions of licence. The VRN must be painted on the vessel or securely affixed by other means. Section 26 (2) of the Fishery (General) Regulations provides the criteria for the size and colour of how the vessel identification number will be displayed.

15. Trap transport

During the period where the fishery is closed, an authorization is required for transportation of traps and it can only be issued for storage purposes. Thus, all transported traps must be offloaded on land. Furthermore, no traps may be transported within five (5) days of the scheduled opening date of the area.To obtain a trap transport authorization, licence holders must make a request to a fishery officer and confirm that their VMS is operational.

16. Lobster transport

A licence is required for lobster transport and all vessels used for lobster transportation must be equipped with an active VMS set at a 15-minute transmission frequency. To obtain a transportation licence, the carrier must apply for it through the National Online Licensing System.

17. 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 Conservation Harvesting Plan 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, the Striped Bass (St. Lawrence River population) and exceptionally the White Shark (Atlantic population). New species could be added during the course of the year.

At the time this Conservation Harvesting Plan 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 North Atlantic Right Whale, 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).

18. Crew registry

Since April 1st, 2021, inshore commercial licence holders, and their approved Substitute Operators, must 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. This requirement does not apply to pre-1979 corporation licence 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 at Notices to Fish Harvesters or contact the Licensing Office at 1-877-535-7307 or fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

19. Discharge of waste

Since 2022, all commercial fisheries in Canada have a new condition of licence relating to the discharge of garbage from Canadian fishing vessels. The licence holder is 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 New condition of licence relating to discharge of garbage season 2022 (2022-03-29)

20. Conditions of licence

To obtain their Conditions of licence, fish harvesters must access the National Online Licensing System. For National Online Licensing System assistance, please contact customer support by phone at 1 877‑535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Approved by:

Maryse Lemire

Fisheries Management Regional Director

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Quebec

For any question regarding this CHP

You may call at:

North Shore area: 1-800-463-1729

For additional information

Please visit our website at the following address: Fisheries