DFO has announced a cut in the Total Allowable Catch in the province’s snow crab fishery – an overall decrease of 3 per cent from last year.

Some fishing areas will see an increase in quotas, while others will see drastic cuts.

This year’s TAC is set at 61,004 tonnes – with a 4 per cent increase in area 3LNO off the Avalon Peninsula and a 19 per cent increase in 4R3Pn off the west and southwest coast.

The biggest cuts come in area 3K off the northeast coast where the TAC has dropped by 18 per cent – and a 30 per cent decrease in 3Ps off the south coast.

2Hj off the east coast of southern Labrador will see a 20 per cent cut in the TAC.

DFO previously warned that the exploitable biomass of snow carb in all fishing areas is expected to be at, or near historic lows by 2028 due to warming ocean temperatures and low numbers of mature female and smaller crab.

DFO is beginning a “comprehensive review of the snow crab precautionary approach framework in consultation with the industry and partners.