2020 snow crab - Southeastern Nova Scotia (Crab Fishing Areas 23 and 24E)

The Maritimes Region Southeastern Nova Scotia snow crab fishery occurs in Crab Fishing Area (CFA) 23 and the eastern portion of CFA 24 to Pennant Point, Nova Scotia, as defined by the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (schedule XI).

Dates of season (subject to change)

Fishing in CFA 23 and 24E is open from April 1 to August 31, 2020.

Total allowable catches (TACs)

In both CFA 23 and CFA 24E, the total allowable catch (TAC) was increased by approximately 22.5% from the 2019 levels to 8,161.2 t. This increase is consistent with science advice from the annual peer reviewed stock assessment, and corresponds to a target harvest rate (15% of estimated fishable biomass, i.e. the total weight of all individual snow crabs in the population) within the approved harvest control rules for this stock when in the healthy zone. 

CFA 23

The 2020 TAC in CFA 23 is 4,414.4 t. The TAC for 2020 also includes an allocation of 139.06 t to be used to contribute funds for the annual snow crab survey, under section 10 of the Fisheries Act.

CFA 24E

The 2020 TAC in CFA 24E is 3,746.8 t. The TAC for 2020 also includes an allocation of 118.03 t to be used to contribute funds for the annual snow crab survey, under section 10 of the Fisheries Act.

Management measures

The snow crab fishery in the Maritimes Region is managed under the Eastern Nova Scotia and 4X Snow Crab Integrated Fisheries Management Plan.

Please contact your regional DFO office for more information:

902-407-8153 / DFO.MARFisheriesManagement-GestiondespechesMAR.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Single or multi-year planning

The information provided is applicable to the 2020 fishery only.

Links to other information

• Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio)
• Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS)