SCALLOP – AREAS 17A1, 17A2, 18B1, 18B2 AND 18C

SEASONS 2026-2028

Approved March 27, 2026

1.  Application

SUBJECT  : Opening of the Snow crab fishery in area 16

Sept-Îles – April 2, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region announces the opening of the snow crab fishing season in area 16. The opening has been set for Thursday, April 9th, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. (EDT) as recommended by the fleet representatives. The fishery will close on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

SUBJECT : Opening of the Snow crab fishery in areas 12C aNd 15

Sept-Îles – April 1, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region announces the opening of the snow crab fishing season in areas 12C and 15. For both areas, the opening has been set for Monday, April 13th, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. (EDT) as recommended by the fleet representatives. The fishery will close on Sunday, July 19th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

SUBJECT  : Opening of the Snow crab fishery in area 16A

Sept-Îles – March 31, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region announces the opening of the snow crab fishing season in area 16A. The opening has been set for Monday, April 6th, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. (EDT) as recommended by the fleet representatives. The fishery will close on Sunday, July 12th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

SUBJECT : Total Allowable Catches of the Areas 12C, 15, and 16A in 2026

Quebec – March 31, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Quebec Region announces that the total allowable catches (TAC) for the 2026 season in areas 12C, 15 and 16A will be 282 tons,  582 tons, and 402 tons, respectively.

The approved Conservation Harvesting Plan will be published online at: Notices to Fish Harvesters.

SUBJECT : Total Allowable Catches of the Area 16 in 2026

Quebec – March 27, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Quebec Region announces that the total allowable catch (TAC) for the 2026 season in area 16 will be 2 681 tons.

The approved Conservation Harvesting Plan will be published online at: Notices to Fish Harvesters.

SUBJECT : Opening of the Herring fishery in area 15

Sept-Îles – March 31, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region announces the opening of the herring fishery in area 15. The fishery will open on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Magdalen Islands – March 27, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) – Quebec Region announces the distribution of Areas 12 and 12F snow crab allocation for the Magdalen Islands lobster fleet for the 2026 fishing season.

The snow crab allocation for Area 22 lobster fishers is divided between the two representative associations as follow : 66.7% to the Rassemblement des pêcheurs et pêcheuses des côtes des Iles (RPPCI) and 33.3% to the Association of Inshore fisherman (the INSHORE).

Gaspé – March 27, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Quebec Region announces that the opening date for the snow crab fishery in Area 12A for the 2026 season has been set for March 31 at 5:00 a.m. (EDT), following consultations with First Nations and the industry.