NR-M-99-12E

1999 SCALLOP MANAGEMENT PLAN - AREA 21

April 14, 1999

(Tracadie-Sheila, NB) - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announced the details of the 1999 management plan for the commercial scallop fishery in area 21. Scallop fishing area 21 takes in the waters off New Brunswick in Chaleur Bay around the Acadian Peninsula and along the Gulf of St. Lawrence as far as Escuminac. One hundred and seven (107) licence holders are authorized to fish in this area and brought in landings of 941t in 1998, with a value of $ 1.8 million.

The 1999 management plan continues to address the need to reduce fishing pressure on local scallop populations, to promote conservation practices and stock rebuilding, and to allow for the continuation of scallop enhancement projects initiated three years ago.

The fishing sub-areas introduced in 1996 to limit exploitation levels will be maintained. Before the start of 1999 fishing activities, scallop licence holders in area 21 will be required to choose in which sub-area they will fish in 1999 and limit their activities to this sub-area. In 2000, fishers will be required to make a permanent choice of sub-area. In addition, the scallop meat count (minimum of 39 meats per 500 g) and maximum scallop drag width (20` - outside measurement) will remain in effect this year. New management measures coming into effect for 1999 include:

1. Fishing Seasons

Seasons for each sub-area will be as follows:

• in sub-areas 21A and 21C - starts the second last Monday of June (June 21 in 1999) for a period of twelve (12) weeks (the season will end on September 11 in 1999) from 05:30 hours to 20:00 hours from Monday to Saturday.
• in sub-area 21B - fishers may choose a season of ten (10) consecutive weeks of fishing between May 10 and September 11, with weekly periods beginning at 05:30 hours on Monday and ending at 14:00 hours on Friday.

2. Protection of lobster grounds

• In Chaleur Bay, scallop fishers have agreed to limit their activities to water depths greater than 7-10 fathoms in order to protect lobster grounds.

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