Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

July 20, 2009

Fisheries & Oceans Canada

NOTICE TO FISHERS

LFA 26A ROCK CRAB MANAGEMENT PLAN – 2009-2011

The following is an overview of the Rock Crab management measures resulting from consultations held between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and industry representatives in April 2009. These management measures will be applicable for the duration of the plan.

1. MANAGEMENT MEASURES – 2009-2011

Season: The fishery will be open from 6:00 am on the first Monday of August (August 3 for 2009) until the last Saturday of November (November 28 for 2009).

Data Entry: Licence holders are responsible for making arrangements with dockside monitoring companies for data entry of catch and effort information; a condition to this effect is included in all licences.

Logbooks: Logbooks/Landing Reports are mandatory and must be completed as stipulated in licence conditions.

DMP: All of the catch must be weighed in kilograms at one decimal point on an approved and certified scale.

Number of Traps: 90 traps

Catch limitation: 23,913 kgs

Minimum size: Only male Rock Crabs with a minimum width size of 108 mm may be retained in the directed fishery in 2009. Further discussions will occur on the minimum legal size to be retained in the 2010 fishing season.

2. FISHERY ACCESS:

DFO will continue to honour the fundamental exploitation principle that prioritizes the fishery as follows: lobster by-catch, lobster bait and then directed rock crab fishery.

3. DURATION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN:

The duration of this plan will be 3 years (2009-2011). The plan will allow for the review and modification of the management measures when circumstances warrant it.

Management measures will be documented in an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP).

Shari Cormier

Resource Management Officer, Resource Management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Moncton, NB

(506) 851-7255

Paul Boyd

A/Chief,

Resource Management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Antigonish, N.S.

(902) 863-5670 x.2231