TOAD CRAB (HYAS) –  QUEBEC REGION

Season 2025-2026 and 2027

 

Approved July 16, 2025

1. Application

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to Toad crab licence holders from North Shore fleet sub-area CN4 and area 12 Magdalen Islands fleet. This CHP will be in effect for the 2025,2026 ans 2027 seasons.

 

2. Fishing Areas

North Shore Area :

• Sub-area CN4 : From Pointe-des-Monts to Cap Cormoran

Magdalen Islands Area :

• Area 12

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. Fishing closures

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

The following seasons will be in effect for the duration of this CHP. They represent the maximum duration of fishing periods, subject among other things to orders and specific closure 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.

North Shore Area : Sub-area CN4 : 15 weeks

Magdalen Islands Area : Area 12 : 12 weeks

 

5. Management Regime

North Shore Area : Sub-area CN4 : Competitive

Magdalen Islands Area : Area 12 : Individual transferable quota (ITQ)

Administrative guidelines of the ITQ program of the Toad crab - Area 12 (program 28) are included in the regional guidelines, which is available on the DFO Quebec Region website at the following address: REGIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL TRANSFERABLE QUOTA PROGRAMS

 

5.1 Number of licences and accès

North Shore Area : Sub-area CN4 : 1 exploratory licence

Magdalen Islands Area : Area 12 : 9 commercial licences

 

5.2 Quotas

North Shore Area : Sub-area CN4 : 2 tons

Magdalen Islands Area : Area 12 : 344 tons

Any quota overrun incurred by a licence holder in a given management year will be deducted, on a one-for-one basis, from its quota in the following year.

 

6. Minimum Catch Size

Any toad crab (hyas) with a carapace width less than the minimum catch size established in each fishing area must be returned to the water:

Sub-area CN4 : 70 mm

Area 12 : 60 mm

 

7. Fishing Gear

The authorized fishing gear is the trap.

 

7.1 Number of Authorized Fishing Gear and characteristics

Sub-area CN4 : 150 Japanese traps or 150 Toad crab (hyas) traps or 100 cone-shaped traps.

Area 12 : 75 traps

The characteristics of authorized traps are described in the Conditions of Licence.

 

7.2 Fishing Tags and Additional Identification of Buoys

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 (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

It is prohibited to have untagged fishing gear on board a fishing vessel. In 2025, the original tags are brown and the replacement tags are purple.

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.

 

7.3 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:

• When a secondary buoy or buoys are attached to a primary buoy, the maximum length of rope that can be used is :

• 6.4 metres (3.5 fathoms) sub-area CN4;
• 3.7 metres (2 fathoms) area 12

• 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.

 

7.4 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 minimum requirements regarding the number and position of colour markings are detailed in the Conditions of licence. Please refer to the Notice to Fish Harvesters of August 14, 2020 available at the following link: UPDATE TO THE CONDITIONS OF LICENCES RELATED TO THE MANDATORY COLOUR SCHEME FOR GEAR MARKING IN EASTERN CANADA

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. In area 12 : 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.

 

7.5 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.

Lost fishing gear must be reported 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 and fishing vessel operator are 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. The licence holder and fishing vessel operator can also use the reporting methods indicated in the previous paragraph.

 

Retrieved gear reporting

The licence holder and 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 Fishing Gear Reporting System  or by completing the Retrieval of previously reported 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. 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 and fishing vessel operator are 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. The licence holder and fishing vessel operator can also use the reporting methods indicated in the previous paragraph.

 

7.6 Escape Mechanisms or Selectivity Device

For sub-areas CN4 when using cone-shaped traps and for area 12, unless the mesh size used is equal to or greater than 40 mm :

• each trap shall be equipped with 4 x 65 mm circular vents, the top of the openings installed at a distance, calculated from the bottom of the trap, which does not exceed 50% of the trap height.

 

7.7 Hauling and soaking duration

For all areas,the period of time between the setting and the lifting of the traps must not exceed 72 hours.

 

8. 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.).

 

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 including: bycatch, collisions and all sightings of entangled marine mammals, within 48 hours after the end of a fishing trip. To do this, the licence holder and fishing vessel operator must complete the section reserved for that purpose in its ELOG or the marine mammal interaction form available online at Report a marine mammal or sea turtle incident or sighting and attached to the Conditions of licence, and it must be submitted as per the instructions provided on the form.

The information provided 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.

 

10. Fishing Activities Declaration and Monitoring

Licence holders must keep a true record of their fishing activities and catches in their Combined form or in their Electronic logbook.

 

10.1 Combined form

Fishers must acquire their booklet of Combined Forms from a prequalified supplier identified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, whose list is available at the following address: Prequalified

The Logbook section of the Combined Form must be completed before arrival at the port on each fishing day. The licence holder is required to forward his Combined Form completed truthfully and without exception to his Fisheries and Oceans Canada area office after each landing.

 

10.2 Electronic logbook

The use of an electronic logbook (Elog) is optional in 2025. Fish harvesters must use a client application approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the Quebec region for the form ELOG – Logbook – Crabs. 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 arriving at port. 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.

 

10.3 Hail in

For all areas, it is mandatory to make an hail in at least 1 hour before arrival at port to a local dockside monitoring company.

The list of accredited and designated companies is available on the DFO website: List of Qualified and Designated Companies

 

 

10.4 Dockside Monitoring

Applies to zone 12 only: dockside verification with a target rate of 100% of landings.

Landings must be made in one of the designated ports appearing on the List of ports designated for dockside monitoring published on the DFO website available at the following link: Map of small craft harbours.

When using an Electronic Logbook, you must communicate your unique Electronic Logbook Identifier to the Dockside Monitoring Company before hail in and also provide it to the dockside observer.

 

11. Catch Management

11.1 Discarding Incidental Catches

Any fish caught incidentally must be returned to the water immediately, in the same place where it was caught and in such a way as to cause as least harm as possible, if it is still alive.

 

12. Particularities Applicable to the Fishery

12.1 Characteristics and Use of Boats

Vessels with an overall length of less than 15.24 metres (50 feet) may be used.

 

12.2 Partnership

Licence holders benefiting from a partnership agreement will be jointly responsible for any violation committed during fishing activities resulting from their agreement, if applicable.

Area 12 : A temporary buddy-up (maximum of two licence holders per buddy-up) is authorized. Licence holders involved in this partnership agreement are authorized to sum the traps of each licence.

 

12.3 Participation Criteria

Applies to sub-area CN4 only:

As with all emerging fisheries, licence holders will need to demonstrate that they have fully participated in the development of the fishery by meeting predetermined minimum participation criteria before being eligible for reissuance of the licence, if applicable.

The minimum annual participation criteria are :

            1. the achievement of a minimum of a minimum of three (3) fishing days during the fishing season, excluding the trap setting trip. A minimum of 50 traps must be hauled on each fishing day, and ;

            2. data collection in accordance with the protocol provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada; and

            3. submission of data to the local Fisheries and Oceans Canada office each year, no later than the date specified in the licence conditions.

Participation criteria could be adapted and others added in the event of reissuance of licence the following year.

In the event that a licence holder does not meet the established participation criteria during a given year, the exploratory fishing licence may not be reissued the following year.

 

12.4 Simultaneous fisheries

Sub-area CN4: Simultaneous fishing for Toad crab and whelk is allowed on different fishing trips. Simultaneous fishing for Toad crab with lobster and/or rock crab is not permitted.

Area 12: Not applicable.

 

13. 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 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).

 

14. 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 NEW INSHORE REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2021 or contact the Licensing Office at 1-877-535-7307 or fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

 

15. 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 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 NEW CONDITION OF LICENCE RELATING TO DISCHARGE OF GARBAGE (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

 

16. 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.

 

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

 

For any question regarding this CHP

You may call at :

Magdelen Islands area : 418-986-2095

North Shore area : 1-800-463-1729

 

For additional information

Please visit our website at the following address: Fisheries.