News Release

DFO ANNOUNCES NEW MULTI-YEAR CO-MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT FOR TOAD CRAB OFF NORTHERN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Charlottetown - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Gulf Region, today announced a new multi-year (2004-2006) toad crab co-management arrangement with the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association (PEIFA) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

This co-management arrangement consists of an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) and a separate Joint Project Agreement (JPA) both of which will expire in 2006. A management committee formed of DFO and PEIFA representatives will meet annually to develop a harvesting plan consistent with the IFMP and an annual work plan consistent with the JPA. During the duration of this new arrangement, toad crab fishers will contribute approximately 11,500 dollars in 2004 in support of enhanced scientific assessment, management, and enforcement of the fishery.

The PEI toad crab fishery will also have an aboriginal component that will include both the Lennox Island First Nation and the Abegweit First Nation.

Management Measures

• The toad crab season is open from July 16 to October 1, 2004.
• Fishing zones: two sub-zones exist in this fishery, eastern area (Covehead Harbour Light East to East Point, and the western area, Covehead Harbour Light West to North Cape.
• The previous eleven (11) exploratory licences in LFA 24 are converted to regular licences in 2004.
• Six additional exploratory licences will be allocated for the area West of Covehead Harbour, whereby one exploratory licence will be allocated to the Lennox Island First Nation and the other five to PEI core fishers.
• Management measures include: 60mm minimum size, specific gear requirements, Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP), logbooks, and 5 % at-sea observer coverage.

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For information:

Internet: http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/comm-comm/nr-cp/index-e.html