Notices to Fish Harvesters

SNOW CRAB – AREAS 12 and 12F MAGDALEN ISLANDS FLEET - MERGING ITQ PROGRAMS

2023 SEASON

Magdalen Islands – February 20, 2023

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) - Quebec Region announces the amalgamation of the Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) programs of 2 groups of the Snow Crab Fishing Area (CFA) 12 fleet and 3 groups of the CFA 12F fleet in the Magdalen Islands sector starting with the 2023 fishing season.

This merge of ITQ programs is the continuation of steps taken over the past few months and is the result of a request made by the industry to DFO in the summer of 2022 in order to group sub-groups of the CFAs 12 and 12F fleets in the Magdalen Islands sector.

The new administrative guidelines approved by DFO apply to the following fishers:

• CFA 12: The 2 groups commonly referred to as "New Access, Magdalen Islands Mobile Gear" (Program 1) and "New Access, Magdalen Islands Fixed Gear" (Program 3).
• CFA 12F: The 3 groups commonly referred to as "New Access, Magdalen Islands Mobile Gear,"   "New Access, Magdalen Islands Fixed Gear," and "Traditional Crab Fishers of Quebec."

The new administrative guidelines for CFA 12F retain the grandfather clause for New Access crab fishers allowing them to hold two licences for the same species in two different areas until they are reassigned.

The authorization of 100% temporary transfers is only allowed for the 2023 season only for New Access crab fishers in CFAs 12 and 12F.

In anticipation of the 2023 fishing season, the administrative lists will be updated to reflect this change.

For further information

Additional information on management measures and fishing areas can be found on our website at Quebec Region

Julie Aucoin

Resource Management

Quebec Region, Magdalen Islands Area

Fisheries and Oceans Canada