2022 - Snow Crab movement study in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

Moncton and Quebec – March 31, 2022

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is informing snow crab fish harvesters fishing in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence that astudy is currently being conducted by DFO Science to better understand the movement of snow crab.

What to do if you capture a tagged snow crab?

• Record the tag number, the date and position of catch (minimum information required for the study) and then return the tagged crab (without cutting off the tag) to the water as soon as possible.  Returning the tagged snow crab at sea allows multiple recaptures of the same animal during its lifespan.  
• The following information would also be beneficial to DFO:
• Name and mailing or e-mail address of person reporting the tagged crab
• name of fishing vessel;
• catch position; and
• any other information associated with the catch of the tagged snow crab such as carapace condition, water temperature and/or depth of water at catch position (fathoms).
• We currently deploy two types tags: the first being a spaghetti-shaped plastic tube (usually red in color) with a numbered plate secured around the crab’s body and a second is an acoustic tag (similar to the size of a AA battery) fixed on the back of the carapace. Please record any numbers related to the tags in your submission of tag information.

The information can be emailed to: stephanie.boudreau@df0-mpo.gc.ca, sent by text to (506) 377-2037 or sent by mail to the following address:

DFO Crustaceans Section
P.O. Box 5030, Moncton, New Brunswick
E1C 9B6

For more information:

Stephanie Boudreau
Sciences Branch, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, New Brunswick
(506) 377-2037