St. John's, NL - Snow crab is the backbone of the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fisheries and Oceans Canada's management practices in recent years, supported by evidence-based science advice, favourable ocean conditions, and the stewardship of local harvesters, have rejuvenated the snow crab stock in most areas throughout the Province. Improvements in the stock are likely to continue in the short-term and point to continued growth and a sustainable fishery into the future.
For these reasons, the Honourable Joyce Murray, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, is pleased to announce that the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) for the Snow crab fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador will be 50,470 tonnes. This represents a 32 per cent increase from 2021.
The 2022 management approach strikes an important balance. It supports economically prosperous coastal communities and continued growth and sustainability in the fishery while taking a cautious approach to help regenerate snow crab. The anticipated opening of the 2022 Snow crab fishery is in early April.
