The crab traps and buoys on Jimmy MacArthur’s boat Herbert J were ready to go on Sunday, as they were on Evan John MacIsaac’s new boat, Blue Thunder (background). The two fishermen are the only two out of Inverness who set their traps on Monday, the first day of the three-month-long snow crab fishery.
April 3, 2024
-by Bill Dunphy
Ice was not a factor for the start of the Area 12 snow crab fishery this year, unless, of course, you’re talking about the icy price the crustaceans might get.
The fishery in Crab Fishing Area (CFA) 12 and 12E opened at 6 a.m. on Monday and will close on June 30th. CFA 12, which includes the older designations of 18 (Port Hood to St. Rose), and the two P.E.I. areas of 25 and 26, basically encompasses the entire Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The catch limit set by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is 22,236 tonnes. Individual quotas are set by a percentage of that limit. Some smaller fishers have a quota of around 72,000 lbs. while larger groups who have multiple boats and a corporate licence (inshore vs. mid-shore) have a larger quota to fish.
The quotas, based on DFO biomass studies, were cut by 29 per cent for this season.
While the price per pound won’t be known until the first catches are brought to shore, the price being paid in Boston earlier this year was $2.50/lb.
At the opening of the 2022 season, that price was $8.00/lb.
“The prices fluctuate year-to-year, depending on demand,” said Jordan MacDougall, a longtime fisherman who recently stepped down as president of the Inverness South Fishermen’s Association.
“If I had to guess, I would say the price will be around $2.80/lb. starting off this season.”
Meanwhile, on the South Shore, the lobster catch is down and, as of last week, were fetching $20.00/lb.
“Someone said jokingly that they’ll probably only give us $13, which would be phenomenal, but I think a realistic price will be around $8 to $10,” MacDougall said.
This crab season was expected to start last Thursday, but was delayed until Monday. Apparently, a Coast Guard boat was not operational. As well, helicopters have to on stand-by, processing plants have to get ready, immigration issues with foreign workers have to be settled, and the weather has to cooperate.
“It’s a bit more complicated than people think,” he said.
Also, the DFO has warned fishermen that aids to navigation should be considered unreliable as not all buoys (channel markers) have not been deployed as of yet.
Charted buoy position data is available for the fishing industry, but mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution.
The DFO has also reminded captains to be up on all marine safety notices, as well as the standards and best practices in marine safety, and to take all measures to ensure a safe fishery.
Amen to that.
