2019 Scallop conservation harvesting plan – area 22

Moncton – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, wishes to advise industry of new management measures starting in 2019 and that SFA 22 scallop fishery will open on Monday, May 6th, 2019 and close on Saturday, June 1st, 2019, subject to ice conditions.

The Conservation Harvesting Plan for SFA 22 was developed following a gear selectivity project that took place in May 2018 and in consultations with members of the advisory committee.

New management measures:

• Ring Size: The authorized minimal ring size in the bucket construction is set at 89 mm (3½ inches) with no rubber washers, with the exception of the first row of buckets where 76.2 mm (3 inch) rings may be used.
• Washers: A maximum of two steel washers may be used to join two bucket rings together, giving a maximum of eight steel washers per ring. No rubber washer may be used. Rubber flappers are only allowed to be used on the bottom. With the exception of the authorized rubber flappers, no other type of chaffing gear can be used.

The following management measures from 2018 will remain in effect for the 2019 fishing season. Further details are available in the scallop licence conditions:

• Fishing Season: The fishery will take place from 06:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. daily, and will be closed on Sundays.

• Meat Count: No more than 44 scallops can be harvested per 500 g of meat.
• Logbook Requirements: Fish harvesters are required to maintain a record of their estimated catches in a logbook prior to entering port. Fish harvesters are required to forward their logbooks to DFO no later than two weeks following the closure of the fishing season.
• Drag Size: maximum cumulative width of 4.88 m (16 feet) (outside measurements).
• Tow Bar: The tow bar must be raised at least 50.8 mm (2 inches) by the use of runners or wheels located at both extremities of the bar and that are at least 50.8 mm (2 inches) wide.
• Offloading Requirements: No person shall land (off-load) any other part of the scallop except for the adductor muscle (no roe or other internal organs of the scallop may be retained).
• Coastal Buffer Zone: The coastal buffer zone for the protection of lobster habitat and the ecosystem continues to be applied by variation order.

For more information on this fishery please contact:

Josiane Massiéra
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
506-851-7290

Kim Lowe
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Charlottetown , PEI
902-566-7933

Diana Fillion
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Tracadie, NB
506-395-7740