February 2016 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 13. MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS


the Surf Clam Advisory Committee, includ- ing input from the current licence holder, industry and indigenous groups about the possibility of new entrants into this fi shery. Minister Tootoo reiterated his commit- ment to support the economic development of coastal communities but said that the best way to do this is to ensure the long term sustainability of the resources on which they depend.


Quick Facts


The Offshore Arctic surf clam fi shery has been operating on the Scotian Shelf since 1986, and on the Grand Banks since 1989. The landed value of the surf clam fi shery is estimated to be worth $38 million. Arctic surf clam, or hokkigai, is a long-lived clam species distinguished by its bright red colour in the mantle and foot after cooking. In the western Atlantic, this species occurs from the Strait of Belle Isle to Rhode Island. The oldest observed specimen found in Canadian waters was 92 years old on Banquereau Bank.


Northern Shrimp Test Tows & Traps for 2016 Samples Purpose


Though originally marketed as a com- petitor to “bar” clams, Arctic surf clam is now primarily used in sushi preparations in Japan, China, and South Korea. Offshore surf clam licenses also allow the harvest of other species, including Ocean quahogs, Northern propeller clams, and cockles.


Arctic Surf Clams Managing fi sheries based on robust sci-


entifi c evidence is a priority for the govern- ment, and the long-term sustainability of the arctic surf clam fi shery is the government’s primary concern.


Arctic surf clams are long lived and slow growing. They can reach 170 mm across, and signifi cant numbers of surf clams appear to reach 40 years of age. The oldest observed specimen found in Canadian wa- ters was 92 years old on Banquereau Bank. Surf clams are found in the Atlantic,


Pacifi c and Arctic oceans, as well as in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the western Atlan- tic, their range begins near the Strait of Belle


Department of Marine Resources News Western Maine


Vessels and captains have been selected from qualifi ed applicants to collect northern shrimp samples during the winter period when the shrimp are in inshore waters, to collect information on the timing of the egg hatch and the size, gender, and develop- mental stage of the shrimp. Samples will attempt to mimic those that would have been collected if there had been a commercial fi shery, continuing a long time series of winter sampling data. Trawlers


Four shrimp trawling vessels and captains were selected to collect northern shrimp samples in four regions of the Gulf of Maine (Eastern Maine, Midcoast Maine, Western Maine, and Massachusetts/New Hampshire region), beginning in mid- to late January, 2016, fi shing approximately once every two weeks, until the shrimp are no longer car- rying eggs, perhaps near the end of March. Trawl participants will be allowed to land and sell up to 1,800 pounds of northern shrimp per trip. The four trawlers are: MA/NH Trawler: Norman “Neal” Pike (Seabrook NH)


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Trappers


In addition, two shrimp trapping vessels and captains were selected to collect north- ern shrimp samples in the midcoast Maine area, beginning about February 1, 2016, approximately once every two weeks, until the shrimp have hatched off all their eggs. Trappers will be allowed to fi sh up to 40 traps each, hauled as often as necessary during the project, with a 600 pound weekly catch limit per vessel. Trapped shrimp catches may be sold.


The two trappers are Bill Sherburne (Booth- bay ME) and Rodney Genthner (Friendship ME).


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Trawler: Mar-


shall Alexander (Biddeford ME) Midcoast Maine Trawler: Dana Hammond (New Harbor ME) Eastern Maine Trawler: Gary Libby (Port Clyde ME)


Isle and extends south to Rhode Island. Surf clams live in ocean areas with sandy bottoms in which they can burrow, from the intertidal zone to about 100 metres in depth. The offshore Arctic surf clam fi shery has been operating on the Scotian Shelf since 1986, and on the Grand Banks since 1989. The landed value of the surf clam fi shery is estimated to be worth $38 million. Popular in sushi


Arctic surf clams stand out by their bright red colour in the mantle and foot after cooking. They are popular in sushi prepa- rations in Japan, China, and South Korea, where they are known as hokkigai. The fi shery has used large freezer pro- cessor vessels since 1992. There have been three vessels active for most years, fi shing on both Banquereau and the Grand Banks. Currently, the fi shery employs hundreds of Atlantic Canadians in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in well-paid, year-round jobs. The combined total allowable catch


(TAC) for Banquereau and the Grand Banks has remained at 38,756 tonnes for several years, and landings have been consistently well below the TAC. There has never been a harvest greater than 26,000 tonnes in any one year.


Consultations Given the complex nature of the fi shery Commercial Fishing News


and uncertainties over the life cycle of the species, the Department is reviewing the sci- ence advice and its management approach to ensure that high-density beds are not being fi shed faster than they can recover. Further consultations will be held with interested stakeholders, industry and indig- enous groups to get input on the best way to manage the stock.


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