Notices to Fish Harvesters
Conservation Harvesting Plan - SNOW CRAB – AREA 12F - SEASON 2025
Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP)
SNOW CRAB – AREA 12F
Season 2025
Approved March 21, 2025
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Application
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Fishing areas
The Crab fishing area (CFA) 12F is a part of CFA 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
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Fishing closures
The fishery remains prohibited in a buffer zone that separates Areas 12F and 19.
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Fishing seasons
An opening committee, composed of industry and departmental representatives, is inplace to discuss the opening date for the crab fishery in Area 12F. The opening date will be confirmed by an Variation order following the final recommendation of the opening committee.
The fishery will close on June 30, 2025, at 23:59 hrs (Atlantic Daylight Time). 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, subject to, among other things, variation orders and specific period of closures. At such, opening date may vary according to particular circumstances and fisheries management considerations, while closing date may be advanced according to factors such as if the entire quota of the fishing area has been caught or when risks of exceeding them are high. Opening and closing fishing dates will be confirmed through usual communication means, such as Notices to Fish Harvesters and Variation Orders.
It should be reminded that it is the responsibility of the captain to take into account 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 when fishing is authorized.
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Management regime
Individual transferable quotas (ITQ) regime.
Following the stabilization of the sharing formula between traditional fishers and fish harvesters of the New Access fleet in Area 12F, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) approved Administrative Guidelines that apply to fish harvesters in the New Access – mobile gear Group.
5.1 Number of licences and access
The crab fishery in Area 12F is conducted by five groups :
- 15 licences composed of the Traditional group and the New Access group (mobile gear).
- 5 licences composed of the Traditional group from Nova Scotia.
- The New Access group - Lobster fishers - Îles-de-la-Madeleine (Associations).
- The New Access group – Nova Scotia (Associations and Indigenous groups).
The terms and conditions of access to fishing area 12 by Area 12F licence holders in case of closures for their fishing grounds resulting from the NARW protection measures remain in effect and is 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 Area 12E and Area 12F licence holders.
5.2 Quotas
A sharing formula of the total allowable catch (TAC) between groups is in effect in Area 12F.
The allocation is shared in a proportion of 84.91% to Traditional – Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Nova Scotia licence holders and 15.09% to New Access licence holders of Îles-dela- Madeleine, Gaspésie and Nova Scotia.
In addition, a regional sharing, i.e. 68.75% for the Quebec region and 31.25% for Nova Scotia, is applied.
The TAC for 2025 is set at 1074.31 tons (t). This TAC is broken down as follows:
- Traditional and New Access (mobile gear group): 721.59 t;
- Traditional Nova Scotia : 285,06 t;
- New Access group – Lobster fishers Îles-de-la-Madeleine : 17,00 t;
- New Access group – Nova Scotia : 50,66 t.
Temporary ITQ transfers :
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, Nova Scotia). No additionnal traps will be authorized during a temporary quota transfer during the fishing season.
Quota reconciliation
DFO applies the quota reconciliation for snow crab in Area 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.
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Minimum catch size
It is prohibited to have in his possession any snow crabs that less than 95 mm in carapace width.
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Fishing gear
The authorized fishing gear is trap.
7.1 Number of authorized fishing gear
The maximum number of traps for a traditional fish harvester is 75. Additional traps may be allocated following the approval of temporary or permanent transfers, as set out in 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.
- Characteristics of fishing gear
Maximum trap mesh size is 75 mm.
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 link: Approved tag suppliers.
It is prohibited to have untagged fishing gear on board a fishing vessel. In 2025, the original tags are light coral and the replacement tags are medium purple for everyone. Fish harvesters will receive medium purple replacement tags equal to 10% of the authorized number of gears when they place their initial order. Other replacement tags will be available upon request.
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. 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.
7.4 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 (NARW) entanglements:
- A maximum of 3.7 metres (2 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.
7.5 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:
- The first colour to identify specific Region – to be interlaced on the same segment of rope as the second colour.
- The second colour to identify target Species – to be interlaced on the same segment of rope as the first colour.
- 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.
7.6 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 DFO by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook. Reports of lost gear can also be submitted to 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 attached to the Conditions of licence.
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 to DFO by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook. Reports of retrieved gear can also be submitted 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 attached to the Conditions of licence.
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.
7.7 Escape mechanisms or selectivity device
All traps must be equipped with a biodegradable release mechanism as described in the Conditions of licence.
7.8 Hauling and soaking duration
It is the responsibility of fish harvesters to lift their gear at least every 72 hours.
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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: DFO.GLFWhales-BaleinesGLF.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. 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.).
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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 or 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 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.
For all sightings of free-swimming whales and dolphins, other than the North Atlantic right whale, please contact DFO with details of the sighting: XMARWhalesightings@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. 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.
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Fishing activities declaration and monitoring
10.1 Electronic logbook
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 – 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/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 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 his DFO-approved VMS unit prior to the beginning of his 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 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.
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Catch management
11.1 Discarding incidental catches
The possession or the 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.
11.2 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.
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Particularities applicable to the fishery
12.1 Characteristics and use of boats
Fish harvesters may use a vessel with a maximum length less than 19.81 m (65 feet).
12.2 Partnership
The creation of partnerships is authorized and both licence holders must be present on the boat during the fishing activities. The number of traps to be used cannot be greater than the legal number of traps authorized for one snow crab licence, plus 50 percent of the number of authorized traps of the other licence (partner).
Licence holders benefiting from a partnership agreement will be jointly responsible for any violation committed during fishing activities resulting from their agreement, if applicable.
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.
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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 each fishing trip. These records must be maintained by the licence holder for a period of five (5) years following each fishing trip. 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.
Since 2022, all commercial fisheries in Canada have a 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)
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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:
Îles-de-la-Madeleine area: 418-986-2095
Gaspé-Lower St. Lawrence area: 1-877-898-5559
Antigonish area: 902-863-5670
For additional information
Please visit our website at the following address: Fisheries.