Snow Crab in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence – Crab Fishing Area 12 (12, 18, 25, 26) - Extension of the Fishing Season

Extension of the Fishing Season

July 10, 2017

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) wishes to inform snow crab fish harvesters fishing in Crab Fishing Areas 12 (12, 18, 25, 26) that the fishing season is extended for a period of up to 14 additional days, until July 28, 2017 at 23:59 Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT), following requests made by industry. All gear must be removed from the water by 23:59 ADT on July 28, 2017.

Fish harvesters who wish to continue their fishing activities between July 15, 2017 and July 28, 2017 will need to obtain new licence conditions:

• In New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, licence conditions will be automatically available through the National Online Licensing System;
• In Quebec, fish harvesters need to make a request for new licence conditions through the National Online Licensing System before these become available.

Due to recent events of several North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) found dead in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, DFO will implement an immediate mitigation measure to minimize the risks to the species which is listed as endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). 

A temporary closure to snow crab fishing activity will be in effect from 16:00 (ADT) on July 14, 2017 to 23:59 ADT on July 28, 2017 in an area where a concentration of NARWs has been observed. The closed area is identified on the map below. This temporary closure supports the Department’s commitment to help prevent future incidents with the species during the remainder of the snow crab fishery. All snow crab gear will need to be removed from the closed area before 16:00 ADT on July 14, 2017. More closures could be implemented if deemed necessary.

Licence holders are asked to report all observations of dead or injured marine mammals by calling a 1-866-567-6277 and to refrain from attempting to untangle any whales.