NR-HQ-00-34E

Crab Fishing Area 13 2000 Management Plan: Quotas remain at 1999 levels, new experimental Fishery opened

June 13, 2000

OTTAWA -- The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, today announced that the 2000 total allowable catch for crab fishing area (CFA) 13 will remain at the 1999 level of 848 tonnes.

The Minister also announced the opening of an experimental fishery in the northeast portion of the area, in the Strait of Belle Isle, where existing licence holders have concentrated very little of their fishing effort.

"The experimental fishery will allow us to collect important information on the status of the stocks in that specific area, thus allowing us to determine whether or not there is a potential to establish quotas or direct effort to that area in the future," Mr. Dhaliwal said.

Existing licence holders already have access to the area and will have the opportunity to participate in this experimental fishery. Access to the experimental fishery will be provided on a temporary basis to other Quebec and Newfoundland fishermen. Up to 45 temporary permits will be issued for this fishery; 15 to Quebec fishermen and 30 to Newfoundland fishermen. The experimental area will be divided into 3 subzones; southern, central and northern. Of the 45 temporary permits, 30 will be issued in the southern subzone, (15 to Quebec and 15 to Newfoundland) which is most adjacent to both provinces. The remaining 15 permits will be issued in the northern subzone to Newfoundland fishers. All 45 temporary permits will have access to the central subzone.

"There will be neither additional fishing effort nor new entrants in the traditional fishing grounds of current licence holders. Given that there is no increase in quotas in these traditional areas, providing additional access in this area would have a negative impact on the economic viability of those who are currently trying to make a living from this fishery."

Mr. Dhaliwal continued: "Snow crab stocks are known to fluctuate and we must take account of declines as well as increases in abundance in managing the fishery. Conservation of the resource to ensure long-term success in the fishery is my objective in considering management of this and other fisheries."

At the end of the season, DFO officials in both Quebec and Newfoundland will establish a joint working committee to develop a multi-year management plan for Area 13. This committee will include industry representatives and will work to address all management and conservation issues related to this area.