2008 Gulf Nova Scotia – ATLANTIC HALIBUT (4RST, 3Pn) FIXED GEAR FLEET
2008 Gulf Nova Scotia – ATLANTIC HALIBUT (4RST, 3Pn)
FIXED GEAR FLEET
ALLOCATION AND OPENING DATES
Moncton, Québec City, Corner Brook – July 3rd, 2008
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is announcing that fishing will be authorized, for Gulf Nova Scotia fixed gear licence holders fishing Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 4T with vessels less than 19.812 metres (65 feet) in overall length. This fishery will take place over a period of 37 hours starting at 5:00 a.m. on July 4, 2008 and ending at 6:00 p.m. on July 5, 2008. This period may be modified due to inclement weather or other uncontrollable circumstances.
If there is quota remaining at the end of this fishing period, there will be another opening in NAFO division 4T8, with the opening dates to be negotiated with the industry.
The allocation for the Atlantic Halibut Gulf Nova Scotia fixed gear fleet will be 7 metric tons in 2008.
The temporary re-allocation of 2.17t from the mobile sector will be utilized in an exploratory fishery later in the season (dates to be confirmed following consultation with science and industry) to determine the abundance of Atlantic halibut in NAFO division 4T8.
If this fishery is not successful the allocation will be used to cover off any over-runs of the initial 7t fishery, or fished in the spring of 2009 before May 14th.
For more information please contact:
Colin MacIsaac
A/Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-2382 Paul Boyd
A/ Area Chief, Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Antigonish, N.S.
(902) 863-5670 (ext. 2231)
HERRING FISHERY
MONCTON - Following the May 6, 2008 notice detailing the management of the herring fishery in Herring Fishing Areas (HFAs) 16A to 16G, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announced management measures for the herring fishery by the large purse seiner fleet in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO areas 4TVn).
For the 2008 fishery, the following measures will apply:
• Uncaught quota from the spring will be used to cover incidental catch of spring spawners in the large seiner fall fishery.
• Access to the Baie des Chaleurs is allowed from July 1 until August 4, and after September 1, 2008.
• The authorization to use a mid-water trawl for three seiners to fish herring in HFA 16 (excluding Chaleurs Bay) from July 1 to December 31 is maintained in 2008 with the appropriate monitoring and control mechanisms.
• Access to the northern portion of 4Vn (HFA 17) will be authorized. However, the amount of quota and the conditions under which the fishery will take place in 4Vn will be addressed in the Maritimes Region Herring Management Plan.
• All vessels must be equipped with a functional Vessel Monitoring System during fishing activities.
• There will be a minimum of 10 % at-sea observer coverage during fishing activities.
• The minimum size for herring in HFA 16A to 16G is 23.5 cm. This represents the current known size of herring maturity for the 4TVn stock. The small fish protocol is eliminated, and is replaced by a 10% limit of herring under 23.5 cm, in accordance with the regulations.
• The purse seine fall fishery will not be allowed in the inner part of the Baie des Chaleurs, west of a line between Grande-Anse (NB) and Paspébiac (QC), as this is where spring spawners are typically found.
• Catches in the Baie des Chaleurs are limited to 50% of the overall TAC (inshore and large seiners) if the inshore fleet quota is not completely captured in 2008. Otherwise, the catches will be limited to 50% of the large seiner quota.
For further information:
Alain Hébert
Chief, pelagic and groundfish species
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
(506)851-7792
MACKEREL FISHERY
OTTAWA - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today confirmed management measures for the 2008 mackerel fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Mackerel Fishing Areas (MFAs) 12-16 (NAFO Divisions 3Pn 4RST).
For the 2008 fishery, the following measures will apply:
• The overall Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for Atlantic mackerel remains at 75,000 tonnes for 2008.
• This overall TAC is shared 60% for traditional inshore fisheries with vessels less than 19.8 m (65’) in length and 40% for vessels 19.8 m (65’) or greater in length.
• For 2008, in the southern Gulf, the mackerel fishery opened on May 26 for MFA 16. In Quebec Region, opening date for mackerel for all gear types was June 1st for MFA 15. In Newfoundland, the scheduled opening date for mackerel in all areas (MFAs 12-14) and all gear types is August 1.
• To ensure consistency in the application of areas of access for Gulf of St. Lawrence inshore mackerel licences, all inshore fixed gear licence holders will be restricted to fishing in the waters directly adjacent to their homeport while small purse seine vessels will be restricted to fishing in either Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Divisions 4R3Pn, 4S or 4T based on area of residence. An exception will be made for Quebec licence holders that can demonstrate:
a) a history of fishing in waters other than those adjacent to their homeport during the past three years (2005-2007), or
b) a recent investment to pursue mackerel in areas outside of their homeport waters.
Any exceptions to these homeport provisions will not be transferable to either an existing or future licence holder.
• Any leasing of vessels will only be permitted from the same DFO region in which the licence is issued.
• There is a freeze on authorizations for new mobile gear activities for fishing mackerel, including a continued freeze on new midwater trawl activities
For further information:
Raynald Gosselin
Senior Advisor, Pelagics
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Québec, QC
1-418-648-5885 Ray Walsh
Senior Advisor, Pelagics
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
St-John’s, NL
1-709-772-4472 Marc LeCouffe
Senior Advisor, Pelagics
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
1-506-851-7845
SOUTHERN GULF COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH FOR 2008-2009
SOUTHERN GULF COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH FOR 2008-2009
Moncton, Québec City, St. John’s, Halifax – June 26, 2008
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans, (DFO), today announced the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for a commercial cod fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, also know as 4TVn.
The TAC has been set at 2,000 tonnes (t) which includes a commercial fishery, scientific survey sampling, negotiated food, social and ceremonial agreements, a recreational fishery and bycatch provisions for non-cod directed fisheries.
Fish harvesters involved in this fishery will recognize that the cod stock appears to be at an alarmingly low level. Harvesters and scientists will need to continue to assess the stock and the fishery, and if conditions don’t change before the 2009 season, a commercial fishery closure will be unavoidable.
DFO will continue to collaborate with the fishing industry in the Southern Gulf and, during 2008-09, will engage them in a process to identify additional initiatives regarding the status of the stock. Fish harvesters and scientists will participate in a post mortem review of the fishery this fall.
As a follow-up to the Ministers’ April 12, 2007 announcement to proceed with regional shares in a number of different groundfish stocks, the DFO announces the implementation of regional shares in the 4TVn cod fishery for the fixed gear fleet <19.8m based on historical landings from 1986-2004, (see Annex I). This decision will give more stability to participants and will allow fleets to more efficiently manage their activities within their economic viability parameters. This will also facilitate future rationalization plans of existing fleets where necessary.
In conclusion, and as recommended at the recent Gulf Groundfish Advisory Committee, the DFO is moving forward on working directly with industry to consider specific population control measures to the growing population of grey seals in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in an effort to reduce the increasing natural mortality rate of the 4TVn cod stock.
For more information please contact:
Colin MacIsaac
A/SeniorAdvisor,Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-2382 Dario Lemelin
Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Québec, Québec
(418) 648-4946 Donald Ball
Area Chief, Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Corner Brook, NL
(709) 637-4310 Jorgen Hansen
Senior Advisor,Groundfish
Maritimes Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Halifax, NS
(902) 426-9046
Annex I
4TVn Geographical Fleet Shares
REGION FLEET SHARE ( %)
Gulf New Brunswick 7.25
Nova Scotia 10.80
Prince Edward Island 19.30
Total Gulf 37.35
Quebec North Shore 0.62
Gaspé Peninsula 41.71
Magdalen Islands 16.87
Total Quebec 59.21
New Foundland and Labrador New Foundland 1.41
Maritimes Maritimes 2.03
ATTENTION FISHERS-Amended Time
The 4VN Halibut fishery is opening strictly for 4T based vessels Thursday, June 26 5AM - 21hours.
Happy Fishing!
ATTENTION Scotia Fundy Fish Harvesters
ATTENTION
Scotia Fundy Fish Harvesters
The 4T Halibut fishery for Scotia Fundy fishers opens at midnight tonight(Monday) and closes at midnight Wednesday, June 4, 2008. This 48 hour fishery is for 5 tons and does not include the 4T Science Halibut Fishery. Those who plan to fish for science Halibut will be notified of their allocation and when they can fish.
Opening of the Mackeral Fishery in Area 16 Only
This early opening is in response to multiple requests from fish harvesters in the southern Gulf and in order to fill a demand for fresh bait in the NB, NS, PEI and Quebec areas. The mackerel fishery in Area 16 will open on Monday, May 26th 2008 at 06:01 am.
This opening is for fishers with a homeport in Area 16 only until the issue of Area of validity of licences is decided by the minister.
2008 TACs FOR NON-COD GROUNDFISH FOR THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
2008 TACs FOR NON-COD GROUNDFISH
FOR THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
Moncton, Québec, Corner Brook – May 12, 2008
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announces the total allowable catches (TACs) for non-cod groundfish species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST, 3Pn). A separate Notice to Fish Harvesters detailing the minimum requirements on management measures will be forwarded shortly to the industry.
For the following fisheries, TACs remain unchanged for 2008: 4RST witch flounder, 4RST Greenland halibut, 4T white hake, 4RST Atlantic halibut, 4T winter flounder, 4T yellowtail flounder and Redfish (Unit 1).
According to the latest Science Advisory Report on American plaice, this stock shows high natural mortality and a low spawning stock biomass and this situation is reflected with a slight decrease in the TAC for 2008.
A summary of TACs is presented in the table below.
Stocks
2007 2008
4T American plaice 750 t 500 t
4RST witch flounder 1 000 t 1 000 t
4RST Greenland halibut 4 500 t 4 500 t
4T white hake moratorium moratorium
4RST Atlantic halibut 475 t 475 t
4T winter flounder 1 000 t 1 000 t
4T yellowtail flounder 300 t 300 t
Redfish – Unit 1 2 000 t (Index) 2 000 t (Ind)
The northern and southern cod TACs and management measures will be announced at a later date.
For more information please contact:
Colin MacIsaac
A/Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-2382 Dario Lemelin
Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Québec, Québec
(418) 648-4946 Donald Ball
Area Chief, Ressource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Corner Brook, NL
(709) 637-4310
Soft Shell Crab Monitoring Protocol for 2008
Soft Shell Crab Monitoring Protocol for 2008
12, 18, 25, 26
• calculation based on 15 days
• info from 8 traps and 2 boats
• visual estimate by observer if trap has 50% or more of soft shell; the trap will however be sampled in accordance with the biological protocol.
• if the amount of soft shell crab in a grouping of quadrants remains at 20% or higher for 14 consecutive days, a sector will be defined and closed for the season
• if the average of soft shell crab in Area 12, 18, 25, 26 remains at 20% or more for 14 consecutive days, the Area will be closed for the season
• representatives advised 5 days prior to closure
• fishers advised 48 hours prior
2008 SNOW CRAB MANAGEMENT PLAN - SOUTHERN GULF
2008 SNOW CRAB MANAGEMENT PLAN - SOUTHERN GULF
CRAB FISHING AREAS 12, 18, 25, AND 26
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has released the details of the 2008 southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Snow Crab Management Plan. The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is set at 20,900 tonnes which represents an exploitation rate of 41% of the estimated commercial biomass. This approach will be reviewed prior to the 2009 fishing season when it is expected that a more prudent approach may need to be considered.
TAC distribution*
Further to the April 12, 2007, announcement the distribution of the TAC is stabilized until 2010.
• The quota for First Nations is 3,306 t (15.816%)
• The traditional fleets will receive the following quota :
o New Brunswick : 8,236 t (39.408%)
o Quebec : 4,424 t (21.169%)
o Nova Scotia : 244 t (1.169%)
o Prince Edward Island : 718 t (3.436%)
o Fishers from CFA18: 836 t (4.002%)
Distribution of 3,135 t for New Access
NB 1 490 t (7.129%) distributed as follows :
MFU 1,288 t
7 midshore ITQgroundfish fishers 149 t
5 competitive groundfish specialists 53 t
QC 1,011 t (4.837%) details as to distribution of quota will be provided by Quebec Region.
NS 191 t (0.913%) details as to distribution of quota will be provided by Gulf Region.
PEI 444 t (2.122%) distributed as follows :
PEIFA 390 t
PEI Groundfishermen’s Association 53 t for eight groundfish specialists.
*all quota numbers are rounded .../2
2008 Management measures
The following new management measures are introduced:
• The coverage by at-sea observers will target 25% of fishing trips. This reduction from 30% will be evaluated before the 2009 fishing season as will the soft shell crab protocol.
• All landings must be weighed on an electronic scale with a memory.
• In the Gulf Region, all landings must be weighed in kilograms; in the Quebec Region, weighing in kilograms will apply beginning in 2009.
• Further to a request from fishers in Area 18, they will be permitted to create partnerships.
• As announced in last year’s management plan, a maximum mesh size not exceeding 75 mm applies beginning in 2008 in southern Gulf areas (12, 18, 19, 25, 26, E, F).
The following measures from 2007 are rolled over in 2008:
• 100% dockside monitoring (catch monitoring).
• The use of a vessel monitoring system (VMS) is mandatory.
• Fishers are authorized to release commercial-sized male crab with small claws back in the water.
• A delayed season opening to June 1, 2008, applies to an area in CFA 12 for one nautical mile bordering on CFA 19. The coordinates are located on the attached map for your reference.
• The Irving Whale Exclusion Zone is maintained.
• A comprehensive protocol for soft shell crab by quadrant with sampling as per biological protocol.
• For proper management and control purposes, the targeted total number of vessels for all fleets on the water at any time is 150 for the Gulf Region and 75 for the Quebec Region. DFO will work with organizations representing non-traditional fishers to ensure that pooling of quotas in order to minimize the number of vessels authorized to fish.
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• Traps will be issued on the same basis as in 2007:
o 150 for mid-shore vessels
o 75 for the traditional inshore Prince Edward Island fleet
o 75 for Crab Fishing Area 18
o New access and First Nations: those receiving quotas of up to 50 t will be entitled to 75 traps, while fishers receiving over 50 t will be able to use 150 traps.
• The fishery is expected to open on May 10 at 5:00 a.m. for Gulf-based fleets and fleets from the Magdelene Islands and at 4:00 a.m. for other Quebec based fleets.
• The fishery will close on July 20, 2008; all gear must be removed from the water by the end of the day July 19, 2008.
For information:
Monique Baker
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
(506) 851-6234 Pierre Couillard
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec, Qc
(418) 648-2564
NOTICE TO FISHERS-RE: HERRING FISHERY
2008 TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) AND HARVESTING PLAN FOR THE INSHORE HERRING FISHERY IN THE SOUTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE (HERRING FISHING AREAS 16A-16G)
MONCTON – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has announced the 2008 Total Allowable Catches (TAC) and Harvesting Plan for the inshore herring fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Decisions on the TAC levels are based on the results of the Regional Advisory Process held by DFO Science on March 18, 2008, as well as on consultations with industry representatives following this meeting.
Spring Fishery: The spawning biomass in the spring has continuously declined since 1995 and according to abundance indicators, the current adult biomass, estimated at 20,500 t, is below the limit reference point of 22,000 t. At this level of biomass, the precautionary approach requires that removals from the stock should be kept to the lowest level possible. DFO has set the 2008 TAC at 2,500 tonnes, a reduction from the 2007 TAC of 5,000 tonnes. This decision takes into account advice from industry to maintain a minimal directed fishery in order to meet the requirements for bait in other fisheries. This TAC is accompanied with a harvesting strategy and management measures aimed at maintaining catches below 2,000 t to promote rebuilding. The Department also wishes to inform industry that the bait fishery will be the priority market for the 2008 spring fishery. As such, if fishing activities are directed on other markets, further management actions could be taken in order to limit catches at the lowest possible level to protect the stock. DFO is very preoccupied with the status of the spring spawning component, and will continue efforts with industry to rebuild the spring herring component. Additional conservation measures will be implemented in 2009 if there are no signs of improvement in 2008.
Fall fishery: The scientific assessment indicates that the fall spawning component biomass remains high, but is declining since 2004. The TAC is set at 68,800 tonnes, the same as 2007, which is below the reference harvesting level of F0.1, considered as a safe exploitation rate for a healthy stock. This approach takes into account the healthy but decreasing trend of the fall component biomass.
The sharing of both quotas remains unchanged for 2007: 76.83% for the inshore fleet and 23.17% for large seiners.
Spring and Fall Quotas in the 2008 herring fishery (t) as per traditional sharing
FLEET SPRING FALL
Inshore fleet in Area 16 1,901 52,330
Inshore fleet in Area 17 20 688
Gulf large seiners 579 15,782
TOTAL 2,500 68,800
2008 Inshore fleet quota distribution (in tonnes) in HFAs 16A to 16G
SPRING FALL
QUOTA (Area 16) 1,901 52,330
QUOTA (Area 17) 20 688
TOTAL INSHORE QUOTA
(Areas 16 and 17) 1,921 53,018
Reserve (initially distributed) 0 1,891
Remaining reserve ** 947 99
TOTAL RESERVE 947 1,990
Basic allocation with no initial distribution of reserve Basic allocation including initial distribution of reserve
16A 4 144
16B 95 24,877
16C 130 9,200 (16C & 16E)
16D 22 344
16E 605 See above
16F 7 9,005
16G 9 9,005
16A-G (June 1 – 30) 82
** Remaining reserve after initial distribution. For more details on inshore quota distribution rules, please refer to Annexes I and II.
The 2008 spring inshore management measures for each Herring Fishing Area (HFAs) were established after consulting with fleet representatives. Additional details on the fall inshore management measures for each HFA will be announced after further consultation with industry, but should generally remain unchanged from 2007.
Management measures for the herring purse seine fleet will be announced at a later date. Discussions are ongoing with stakeholders to develop appropriate measures which will ensure a sustainable fishery while protecting the spring spawning component.
A comprehensive approach for reporting herring catches in the personal use bait fishery will be developed, with input from stakeholders, over the next year, for implementation in 2009.
For more information on the management of the herring fishery, see the Gulf Region Herring Fishery Information Website at http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fam-gpa/herring-hareng/index-e.php .
2008 Management measures
Spring inshore gillnet fishery
• A Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) with 100 % dockside verification will be required in all HFAs except 16A and 16D, where a Catch Monitoring Program (CMP) with 100% radio hail and 25% verification at dockside as well as a logbook will be in place. The DMP companies will have to provide, on a daily basis to DFO, the amount of herring landed/hailed per fisher.
• Weekly landing limits of 10,206 kg will be implemented in all HFAs except 16A and 16D, where landings are minimal.
• Spawning areas will be closed in all HFAs except 16A and 16F (see Charts 1 to 6).
• No nets or herring will be allowed to be on board during a fishing trip between 18:00 and 04:00 every day in all HFAs except 16B (due to safety considerations), where no nets or herring will be allowed to be on board during a fishing trip between 22:00 and 03:00 every day.
• Landings are counted against the quota in the area where the fish is landed when the said area is open. Landings are counted against the quota in the adjacent area when the fish is landed in a closed area. Enhanced enforcement of closed areas will continue in 2008.
• Other management measures are outlined in Table 1.
Fall inshore gillnet fishery
• Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) and weekend closures are a requirement in most fishing areas.
• Gillnets are restricted to a maximum of 150 fathoms in length, 125 meshes deep (100 meshes deep in 16G), with a minimum mesh size of 2-5/8 inches (2 ½ inches in 16A).
• Other management measures are outlined in Table 2.
Summer fishery in a portion of HFA 16E
There will be a summer herring fishery (starting on July 6, 2008) in a portion of HFA 16E with a set quota of 500 t. The objective of the summer fishery is to provide some fishing opportunities to herring fishers who have had a very limited or non-existent fishery in the spring.
To allow for a reasonable distribution of the resource among fishers, the fishery will only open in the waters inside a line from Fagan Point, N.B., to Cape Egmont, P.E.I., and the lobster line separating Lobster Fishing Areas 25 and 26A from Victoria Harbour, P.E.I., to Pugwash, N.S, (see Chart 7). The remainder of 16E will remain closed until the opening of the herring roe fishery.
Fishers will have to choose between a summer fishery (starting on July 6) or a fall fishery (September to December). Those who will opt for a summer fishery will be required to surrender their September to December licence conditions and request an amendment from their local Licensing Service Centre before they are authorized to participate in the summer fishery. The summer fishery will open at noon (12:00 p.m.), Atlantic Time, on July 6.
Any uncaught quota from the summer fishery will be transferred to the last period of the main roe fishery.
Baie des Chaleurs (HFA 16 B) fall fishery
Early Fishery
As in previous years, there will be an early fishery in July until early August. One hundred tones of any uncaught quota will be transferred to the late fishery and the rest will be transferred to the roe fishery.
Main roe fishery
The roe fishery will open in mid-August. A conference call will be held to determine the actual date.
The fishery will be closed daily between 13:00 and 16:00 (Atlantic Daylight Time) and every weekend from 13:00 Saturday until 16:00 Sunday (Atlantic Daylight Time). No nets will be allowed in the water during these closed periods.
Late fishery
As in past years, there will be a late fishery beginning 2 weeks after the roe fishery. Fishers will be limited to the area west of a rhumb line joining the Grande-Anse lighthouse in N.B. and the Pointe-à-Maquereau lighthouse in Gaspésie (QC).
Fishermen’s Bank and Northeast PEI (HFA 16G) fall fishery
The fall fishery in HFA 16G will occur in two distinct periods and zones within HFA 16G to allow for a reasonable distribution of the resource among fishers.
Fishers will have to choose between a Northside and a main roe fishery on Fishermen’s Bank. Those who opt to fish in the northern portion of HFA 16G, as identified in Chart 8, (the Northside of P.E.I.), can apply for conditions of licence at the P.E.I. Licensing Service Center in Charlottetown and will be required to remain on the Northside for the remainder of the season. The Northside fishery will commence in mid-July, and fishers will fish against an 800 t reserve quota until the main roe fishery opens or until the 800 t is caught. When the main roe fishery opens, these fishers will fish against the remaining 16G quota but must remain within the defined area, until the fishery closes.
The main roe fishery (Fishermen’s Bank) will commence in mid-August and will continue until the quota is caught and the fishery closes. Fishers fishing in the main roe fishery will not be allowed to fish on the Northside.
Bait fishery
Bait licences are issued upon request to fishers who hold a licence for a species and gear that requires bait. Since 2003, herring and mackerel bait licences have been combined to facilitate enforcement work by fishery officers. With the bait licence, a fisher may only fish for their own use up to a maximum of 50 fathoms of gillnets.
The minimum mesh size will be 57.1 mm from January 1 to June 30 and 66.7 mm (63.5 mm in 16A) from July 1 to December 31. In 2005, the maximum quantity of herring or mackerel or the combination of both species a fisher is permitted to catch and retain at any time is 907 kg in total.
While fishing under the authority of a commercial herring, mackerel or gaspareau licence, bait licences are not valid. Furthermore, a fisher cannot fish under the authority of a bait licence in the same calendar day that they have landed herring, mackerel or gaspareau under the authority of a commercial licence. It is strictly forbidden to sell any species of fish caught under the authority of a bait licence.
Large seiners fishery
• Management measures for the herring purse seine fleet will be announced at a later date. Discussions are ongoing to develop appropriate measures which will ensure a sustainable fishery while protecting the spring spawning component.
INFORMATION :
Kim Hill
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Charlottetown (PEI)
(902) 566-7815 Michel Albert
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Tracadie (NB)
(506) 395-7718 Paul Boyd
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Antigonish (NS)
(902) 863-5670
David Courtemanche
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans
Gaspé, QC
(418) 368-5559
Sylvette LeBlanc
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans
Cap-aux-Meules, QC
(418) 986-2390
2008 LOBSTER MANAGEMENT PLAN -LFA'S 23, 24, 26A and 26B-Southern Gulf
2008 LOBSTER MANAGEMENT PLAN
FOR LFA'S 23, 24, 26A, AND 26B – SOUTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
Moncton – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, today provided the details of the 2008 management plan for Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA's) 23, 24, 26A, and 26B in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. As LFA 25 is a summer fishery, the management plan will be announced later. Unless stated otherwise, management measures from 2007 remain in place.
LFA23
Further to a request from fish harvesters, three Lobster Fishing Sub-Areas are being implemented immediately for the holders of non communal commercial fishing licenses. Further details about the management plan will be provided in a separate notice to fishers.
LFA26A
Further to a request from fish harvesters, a portion of LFA26A (from the “mud hole” to the 26B boundary line) will be managed as a sub-LFA (except for communal commercial licences in PEI) and the following new management measures are being introduced.
Sub-LFA26A East (from “mud hole” to 26B line) Year Management Meaures
2008: minimum carapace size 73mm
minimum traps per line is six
reduction in number of traps from 300
to 275
2009: maximum hoop size 152mm in diameter
DFO will hold further discussions with fishers in LFA26A West (Pugwash, Wallace, Malagash inclusive) to establish a timetable for the implementation of an appropriate adjustment to the length of the escape mechanism for a 76mm lobster.
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LFA26B
Further to a request from fishing organisations, the minimum carapace size is increased from 76 mm to 77 mm in the northern portion of LFA26B which starts near McLeod Brook. In addition, the number of traps in this northern part of LFA26B has been reduced from 300 to 275.
LFA24
As in past years, fishers from LFA 24 who wish to have access to MacLeod’s Ledge in LFA 22 will need to contact the DFO Area Licensing Service Center at Charlottetown, P.E.I. in order to receive appropriate licence conditions.
Additional Information
Opening of the Fishery
Further to consultations with fishing stakeholders, the season in LFAs 24 and 26A will open on May 1 at 6:00 am and for LFA26B on May 2 at 6:00 am and the last day of fishing will be on June 30, 2008. The season between Point Prim and Victoria, PEI will open at 6:00 a.m. on May 7 and will close July 8 (last day fishing July 7, 2008).
FRCC Report
Further to the recent Fisheries Resource Conservation Council report on Atlantic lobster, the Department expects to hold consultations with stakeholders over the next year to explore interest in developing multi-year management plans.
Pilot Electronic Catch and Effort Data Collection Project
Further to a recent collaborative electronic catch and effort data collection project between DFO, some fish harvesters, buyers and the provinces of NS and PEI, this pilot project is being expanded to include more ports and buyers in LFAs 24, 26A and 26B.
For information:
Rhéal Boucher
Area Director, Eastern NB
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Tracadie-Sheila, NB
(506) 395-7702
Bill Drost
Area Director, PEI
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Charlottetown, PEI
(902) 566-7810
Leroy MacEachern
A/Area Director, Gulf NS
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Antigonish, NS
(902) 863-5670
Opeing of 26A nad 26B Lobster Fishery
Hello Members:
I have just been advised by Brenda MacDonald of DFO that the lobster fishery in 26A will be opening tomorrow May 1 at 6AM. The 26B lobster fishery will open on May 2 at 6AM. You must obtain your conditions from the Cheticamp fisheries office. Please spread the word.
Happy Fishing!
Notice To Fishers CFAs 12, 18, 25 and 26
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Gulf & Québec Regions
Notice to fishers
April 14, 2008
In order to enhance the monitoring of the fishery, please note that starting in the spring of 2008, all snow crab
caught in CFAs 12, 18, 25 and 26 will have to be weighed in kilograms (kg), using a “memory equipped”
electronic/digital scale which is approved (Legal for Trade) and certified in accordance with the Weights and
Measures Act. Licence conditions will specify the requirement by all fish harvesters to have their catches
weighed with this equipment.
In regards to the Dockside Monitoring Program, the Minister has the intention of making modifications to the
protocol in order to enhance the continuous monitoring of the landings.
INFORMATION :
Edmond Martin John Chouinard
Conservation & Protection Conservation & Protection
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton (NB) Quebec (QC)
(506) 851-7795 (418) 648-5886
NOTICE TO FISHERS-Herring Update
As was discussed in 2007, starting in spring 2008, all herring landed under the authority of a commercial herring licence will have to be weighed in kilograms, on a calibrated and certified scale. In addition, there will be 100% dockside monitoring in the spring fishery starting in 2008. There will continue to be 100% dockside monitoring in the fall fishery.
Please note that the licence conditions which you will receive will be modified to reflect these changes.
Results of Vote for Northern Section of 26B Fishery
Attentin All Fish Harvesters:
We received these results concerning the organized vote for 26B.
One hundred and thirteen ballots were distributed. 82 chose to participate in this process(75% of total).
The following are the official results of the ballot count held at the Senior Citizens Hall in Cheticamp on January 21st at 1pm.
1) Are you in favor of increasing the minimum carapace size in the northern portion(Margaree to Pleasant Bay) of 26B by 1mm for the 2008 fishery?
56 voted yes (68%) and 26 voted No (32%)
2) Do you support the reduction of 25 traps for the 2008 fishery? If passed , this would mean all fishers in the northern portion of 26B would only be permitted to fish with 275 traps.
64 voted yes (78%)and 18 voted No (22%)
Infortmation provided by Paul Boyd, Resource Management DFO
MAXIMUM MESH SIZE SNOW CRAB FISHERY
MAXIMUM MESH SIZE SNOW CRAB FISHERY
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans wishes to remind snow crab fishers that following its announcement on April 25, 2007, a maximum mesh size will be in place for the 2008 fishing season in crab fishing areas in the southern Gulf (12, 18, 19, 25, 26, E, F).
Following several discussions in the last years with the fleets, the decision has been taken that beginning with the 2008 snow crab fishing season, licence conditions for snow crab will state that no person shall fish with or have on board a vessel a crab trap that has a mesh size greater than 75 mm. The minimum mesh size of 65mm is already regulated by regulations and remains unchanged
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION :
Monique Baker
(506) 851-6234
bakerm@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Pierre Couillard
(418) 648-2564
couillardp@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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