Notices to Fish Harvesters

Québec – March, 23, 2023

Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Quebec Region announces that the total allowable catch (TAC) of snow crab for Area 12A has been set at 44.62 t. In accordance with the application of quota reconciliation, ITQs will be revised, if required.

The opening date of the snow crab fishery in Area 12A for the 2023 season has been fixed for March 27 at 05:00 EDT based on the recommendation of the fleet representatives.

It is the captain's responsibility to be aware of the notices issued, notably by Environment Canada and Transport Canada, related to marine safety and safety standards and practices, and to take all measures to ensure a safe fishery.

An allocation of 4.08 tonnes of the overall TAC is set aside to cover the cost of the post-season independent snow crab trap survey in Area 12A. The Association des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie (ACPG) will be responsible for the administrative management of the retained allocation, including requests for temporary quota transfers to ITQ holders. For more information, please contact your representative.

Other management measures are contained in the Conservation Harvesting Plan approved on March 22, 2023.

Exceptionally for the 2023 fishing season, temporary transfers of Area 12A snow crab ITQs are allowed up to 100%.

Licence conditions

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

For additional information

Please visit our website at the following address: Quebec Region

Caroline Leclerc

Resource management

Gaspe - Lower St. Lawrence Area

Fisheries and Oceans Canada