O'LEARY - Members of the Prince County Fishermen’s Association gave their blessing to a request from the rock crab fishermen in lobster fishing Area 25 for a change to their season.
The 28 rock crab fishermen had submitted their request to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for a three-week earlier start to the season, but DFO sought support from the fishermen’s association.
The rock crab discussion and one involving a lobster licensing issue were raised near the end of the meeting, when invited guests and media were asked to leave so members could discuss the proposals in private.
President Lee Knox subsequently reported that membership supported an earlier start to the rock crab season, allowing them on the water as soon as the scallop fishery ends.
The second part of the rock crab season will start, as usual, once the fall lobster fishery ends.
The rock crab fishermen had a secondary proposal, wanting members of the lobster fishery to have the same restriction as they have and return all male crab under four inches in length.
The meeting rejected that proposal.
All female crabs must be returned both in the rock crab fishery and as a by-catch.
The annual meeting heard that fisheries officers have laid charges that have led to convictions for possession of female crabs.
One fisherman was fined $10,000 and had a five-week suspension imposed.
“It’s getting out of hand,” said Knox of the practice of using female crabs for bait.
Status quo will be maintained on the line between Howard’s Cove and Miminegash in the LFA 25 lobster fishery.
That line pertains to the movement of licences within the district. Gears bought from one side of the line must be set from that side of the line and the catches subsequently sold on that side.
But the fishing activity can take place anywhere within LFA 25.
