3L SMALL SUPP CRAB VOTE FOR BUDDY UP
January 23, 2026
The 3L Small Supplementary Crab fleet has expressed interest in introducing buddy-up to this fishery.
An e-vote is currently taking place among license holders, and if the majority votes in favour of buddy-up, a recommendation will be made to DFO.
The voting period opened today, January 23, 2026 and will close on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59PM NL time.
If you do not have an email on file, you will be contacted by the office to cast your vote.
If you would prefer to cast your vote over the phone or if you did not receive the voting email, you may call the St. John’s Office at 709-576-7276.
Below is the policy that will be recommended to DFO. This is the same policy that was in place (on a temporary basis) for 3K4 in 2025 and following a fleet vote, has been recommended on a permanent basis.
The following buddy-up rules that apply to all species will be in place for crab license holders in the 3L small supplementary fleet:
A buddy-up is an arrangement between two license holders.
Only one buddy-up is allowed per season.
A buddy-up must be in place before fishing starts.
There are no designations in a buddy-up.
A buddy-up can be canceled at any time.
The following apply to crab license holders in the 3L small supplementary fleet:
Both license holders in the buddy-up must be aboard the vessel whenever crab is being fished. To be clear, in a buddy-up arrangement, both buddies must be on-board during all crab fishing activity, including setting and hauling pots; and
The pot limit is currently 400 for a harvester fishing singly and 600 for a combined enterprise; the pot limit in a buddy-up arrangement will be 600.
If the fleet votes in favour of buddy-up, that recommendation will be submitted to DFO and the department will still make the final decision.
If you have questions on buddy-up policy, please contact your Member Representative Shannon Chidley at (709)986-2389 or schidley@ffaw.ca