3K4 Snow Crab

Buddy-up arrangements for full-time and supplementary crab fleets in 3K Area 4 were authorized as a temporary measure for the 2025 season. The fleet now needs to vote on whether buddy-up will be recommended as a permanent measure going forward.

The same rules that were in place for 2025 will apply if the fleet votes in favour of buddy-up on a permanent basis.

The following buddy-up rules that apply to all species will be in place for crab in 3K4:

• 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 in 3K4:

• 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 800 for a harvester fishing singly; the pot limit in a buddy-up/combined arrangement will be 1,200, which is 1.5x a single.

If the fleet votes in favour of buddy-up, that recommendation will be submitted to DFO and the department will make the final decision.

If you have questions on the vote for buddy-up in 3K4, please contact your Member Representative Julian Ryan at (709)732-2515 or jryan@ffaw.ca.