Notices to Fish Harvesters

Approved April 17, 2025 

1. Application

This Conservation-based harvesting plan (CHP) applies to lobster licence holders of areas 17 and 18. 

2. Fishing areas

Areas 17 and 18

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.

In the event of a discrepancy, the information in the licence conditions is the valid contact information.

3. Permanent closure of fishing areas

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

Areas 17 (A and B) : 11 weeks. This period does not take into account the setting of traps allowed  in area 17.

Areas 18 (A to H) : 11 weeks

The following seasons will be in effect for the duration of this CHP. They represent the maximum duration of fishing 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. 

5. Management Regime

Competitive, by control of fishing effort. 

6. Minimum catch size

83 millimiters. 

7. Fishing gear

7.1 Number of Authorized Gear

Area 17 :

125 or 250 type 2 traps depending on the licences issued.

Area 18 :

175 type 1 traps or 250 type 2 traps.

Type 1 : Traps which maximum length, maximum width and maximum height are equal to or less than 124 cm x 90 cm x 50 cm (49’’ x 36”” x 19”¾).

Type 2 : Traps which maximum length, maximum width and maximum height are equal to or less than 92 cm x 71 cm x 50 cm (36’’ x 28’’ x 19”¾).

When Type 1 and Type 2 traps are used simultaneously, the maximum quantity of traps that can be used is equivalent to the quantity permitted for Type 1 traps.

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 buoy(s) attached to the experimental traps (with plugged vents) required as part of the participation requirements must be marked "EXP".

The sequential number must be in solid Arabic numerals. The sequential number and the inscription "EXP" of the experimental traps must be:

• 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.

Commercial fishing licence holders in Area 17 are authorized to keep a number of replacement traps on board the fishing vessel with a valid tag. For licences with 125 traps, three Type 2 replacement traps are authorized. For licences identified with 250 traps, six Type 2 traps are authorized.

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:

• A maximum of 6.4 metres (3.5 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.

7.4 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 following coloured markings are required for each fleet:

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: colour-notice-avis-couleur-eng.pdf.

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. 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 Sign In 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.

Lost gear reports must be submitted to DFO by completing the lost gear section of the electronic logbook within 24 hours of arrival in port at the end of the fishing trip. The licence holder and the operator of the fishing vessel may also use the reporting methods indicated in the previous paragraph.

Retrieved gear reporting

The licence holder or 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 Sign In 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.

The retrieved of any gear that they have previously reported lost must be reported, within 24 hours of arriving in port at the end of their fishing trip. Gear retrieval reports must be submitted to DFO by completing the dedicated section of the electronic logbook. The licence holder and the operator of the fishing vessel may also use the reporting methods outlined in the previous paragraph.

7.6 Escape Mechanisms

All traps used for fishing must be equipped with biodegradable escape mechanisms, as described in the Conditions of Licence, with the exception of the four experimental traps required as part of the requirements participation.

7.7 Hauling and soaking duration

It is prohibited to haul and bait traps more than once a day.

It is the licence holder’s responsibility or their operators to make sure the soaking time of his/her fishing gear never exceeds 72 consecutive hours.

7.8 Setting of traps

During the first seven days following the opening date of the fishery, exploratory lobster licence holders in Sub-areas 17A and 17B are aothorized to set their traps. At all times from the date of opening by Variation Order until 5:00 a.m. on the eighth day of the fishing, traps must not contain any bait. The setting of traps period does not increase the number of fishing days allowed. 

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 must provide information regarding all interactions with a marine mammal that occur during fishing trips including: bycatch, collisions and all sightings of entangled marine mammals within 48 hours of the end of a fishing trip. To do so, the licence holder and the operator of the fishing vessel must complete the section of the electronic logbook 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 submit it according to the instructions indicated on the form.

The information provided on this form 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

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 -Lobster. 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 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: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/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.

10.2 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 15 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 Service. 

11. Catch Management

11.1 Bycatch Protocols

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

Lobster licence holders are authorized to retain incidental catch of male rock crab. 

12. Particularities Applicable to the Fishery

12.1 Characteristics and Use of Boats

Lower maximum length of boats

Fishing vessels less than 15.24 metres (50 feet) in length overall may be used.

Auxiliary boat

Every auxiliary vessel used for fishing lobster have to be registered towards DFO and bear a Vessel Registration Number (VRN). Furthermore, it must be identified on the Conditions of licence. The VRN must be painted on the vessel or securely affixed by other means. Section 26 (2) of the Fishery (General) Regulations provides the criteria for the size and colour of how the vessel identification number will be displayed.

Trap transport

During the period where the fishery is closed, an authorization is required for transportation of traps and it can only be issued for storage purposes. Thus, all transported traps must be offloaded on land. Furthermore, no traps may be transported within five (5) days of the scheduled opening date of the area.To obtain a trap transport authorization, licence holders must make a request to a fishery officer and confirm that their VMS is operational.

An authorization to transport traps does not relieve the holder of the obligation to obtain permission from any other regulatory agency and to comply with its requirements for their storage on Anticosti Island.

Lobster transport

A licence is required for lobster transport and all vessels used for lobster transportation must be equipped with an active VMS set at a 15-minute transmission frequency. To obtain a transportation licence, the carrier must apply for it through the National Online Licensing System.

12.2 Partnership

A temporary buddy-up of two licence holders is authorized.

Both License holders involved in the agreement must apply annually through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). A form must be completed and signed by both Licence holders involved in the agreement. The first signature must be that of the owner/lessee of the boat used. This form must be sent to DFO with the application, at least 5 working days before the opening date of the fishery.

No partnership agreement can be made after the opening date of the fishery. The partnership agreement is effective for the entire fishing season for the target species. Only one partnership agreement per licence holder is authorized for a fishing season.

Both licence holders must be on board the vessel during all fishing trips.

Licence holders involved in a partnership agreement are authorized to use a maximum of 250 Type 2 traps (or 150 Type 1 traps for area 18).

Landings are accounted for equally between the two licence holders who are part of the partnership agreement.

The partnership agreement must be reported in the Electronic Logbook (ELOG) given to each fishing trip. Only one logbook is required and must be completed by the owner/lessee of the vessel used.

All buoys must bear the identification number of the vessel used. Fishing gear must be identified in accordance with regulations and Conservation Harvesting Plans.

The licence holders involved must obtain conditions of licence for partnership agreement from DFO. Licence conditions issued based of a temporary partnership are valid from the opening date of the fishery.

12.3 Terms and Conditions of Participation

Licence holders must demonstrate that they have fully participated in the development of the fishery by meeting predetermined minimum participation criteria before being eligible for licence reissuance, if applicable.

The minimum annual participation criteria are : 

1. Complete a minimum of 15 trap-haul fishing trips during the season;
2. conduct three at-sea sampling trips and record the data in accordance with DFO's at-sea sampling protocol for the exploratory lobster fishery in Area 17 and 19 in 2025; and
3. Submit the sampling data recorded on the paper forms and in the electronic file provided to your Fisheries and Oceans Canada sector office by July 1, 2025 for the first sampling trip and by August 31, 2025 for the second and third sampling trip.

The participation criteria may be adapted and others added in the event that the licences are reissued the following year.

12.4 Simultaneous fisheries

The licence holder and the operator of the fishing vessel who hold a commercial licence for whelk and/or rock crab and/or spider crab (hyas sp.) and/or sea urchin trap are not authorized to fish for these species during entire of the lobster fishing season. This prohibition does not apply if the licence holder's lobster fishing area does not overlap with the area in which the licence holder holds a commercial licence for these species. 

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 regulation (2021-03-17) 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 is 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 season 2022 (2022-03-29) (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:

North Shore sector (areas 17 and 18) : 1-800-463-1729

Magdelen Islands sector (area 17) : 418-986-2095

Gaspé-Lower St. Lawrence sector (area 17) : 1-877-898-5559

 

For additional information

Please visit our website at the following address: Quebec Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)