May 11, 2005 Dartmouth, N.S. - The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), today announced the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2005 snow crab fishery. He also announced his decision on one remaining recommendation in the report of the Independent Panel on Access and Allocation in the Snow Crab Fishery. The TAC for Crab Fishing Areas (CFA) 20 to 22 has been set at 566 tonnes, and at 6,353 tonnes for CFAs 23-24. These figures represent decreases of 60 per cent and 20 per cent respectively over last year's TAC. This is necessary to respond to the decline in abundance in these stocks. The one outstanding recommendation of the Panel - Recommendation 2 - establishes stable sharing levels between permanent licence holders and quota holders that had temporary access in areas 20-22 and 23-24, to provide a stronger and more equitable basis for management. Consultations were held from April 15 to 19 with stakeholders to give them an opportunity to comment on this recommendation before the Minister reached a decision. The Panel had proposed that CFA 20 quota holders be awarded a 5 percent share of the available TAC in CFAs 20 to 22 and that licence holders in all three areas be awarded the remaining 95 percent of the TAC in the combined area to be shared on an equal basis. The Minister accepted this recommendation. It was also recommended that licence holders and quota holders in CFA 23-24 share the total catch on a 50/50 basis, which would represent an increase for the quota holders over the previous apportionment of approximately 60/40. "While I considered this recommendation very seriously, I concluded that introducing a change in a year of reduced quotas would not be appropriate," noted Minister Regan. "So, while I accept the 50/50 sharing, I will be phasing in the new arrangement only after the TAC increases to 9,700 tonnes. This is the TAC level which, at a 50 per cent share, will give licence holders the same quota they enjoyed in 2004 at a 60 per cent share." In the meantime, sharing levels between the two groups will remain at the 2004 levels of approximately 60/40 (licence holder/quota holders). The Panel's report contained eight other recommendations, all of which were accepted by Minister Regan when it was submitted on April 12. In doing so, he has placed the Eastern Nova Scotia snow crab fishery on an equal footing with many other fisheries. There are a number of individuals whose eligibility for access to the fishery may not meet the criteria recommended by the Panel. An ad hoc sub-committee of the Atlantic Fisheries Licensing Board will be formed to deal quickly with these and any other outstanding appeals related to the fishery. The new plan also contains the provision for a set-aside of 200 tonnes from the TAC before allocations are made to the fleets to support co-management initiatives, such as scientific assessments and other management functions. The resulting Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) will then be distributed among the fleets. In this way, all participants contribute to necessary management initiatives. Implementation of these recommendations will require a number of significant changes in the fishery. These will be included in a new long-term integrated fishing plan and in licensing arrangements for the fishery. Details on the implementation of all of the Panel's recommendations will be distributed to participants in the coming days, and area and regional staff will continue to work with industry representatives to develop the new plan. - 30 - For more information: Communications Branch Fisheries and Oceans Canada Maritimes Region 902-426-3550CommEnquire@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
