July 21, 2005
Moncton -- Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the 2005 Lobster Fishery Management Plan for Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 25 in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
"I wish to thank the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association, the Maritimes Fishermen's Union, and the North Cumberland Fishermen's Association for their collaboration on this file and their support for the conservation measures I am implementing this year in LFA 25," said Minister Regan.
"I firmly believe, however, that the work we have undertaken is not completed yet. If required, I will impose additional conservation measures, including an increase in the minimum carapace size next year. I am very concerned with the continued negative indicators of this stock and with the extremely high fishing effort."
The following conservation measures are being implemented in 2005 in LFA 25:
The minimum carapace size remains at 70 mm.
The maximum size for female lobsters is set at 114 mm instead of 115 mm.
The height of the escape mechanism is increased to 40 mm.
The maximum diameter of hoop is set at 152 mm.
The possession of lobster and fishing gear is prohibited between 9:00 p.m. and one hour before sunrise.
Season opening is set for 6:00 am on August 9, 2005.
The maximum diameter of the hoop has been set at 152 mm in consideration of the latest science information and the fact that circular hoops can warp. Fishers are reminded that they must use a size of hoop that will not warp to more than 152 mm in diameter.
The one-week delay in opening the season is eliminated for 2005 only. The season is scheduled to open at 6:00 a.m. on August 9, 2005, with the last day of fishing set for October 10, 2005. The elimination of the delay of the season opening will be reviewed prior to the 2006 fishing season.
"Due to the high level of fishing effort in this LFA, I am asking fishers to focus future discussions on reducing the exploitation rate. Fishing organizations are expected to implement, among other things, an industry-funded lobster rationalization program." said the Minister.
Issues such as maximum trap size, number of traps, length of season, exploitation rate, minimum carapace size, bycatch of rock crab, protection of lobster habitat, data collection from fishers, and viability of enterprises will be further addressed.
There are 571 fishers from New Brunswick, 258 from Prince Edward Island, 19 from Gulf Nova Scotia, and 7 First Nations who fish in LFA 25.
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For information:
Michel Thérien
Communications
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Gulf Region
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-7704
Internet: http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/comm-comm/nr-cp/index-e.html
