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ARCHIVED - Notice to Fish Harvesters
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Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Gulf, Québec, Maritimes and Newfoundland & Labrador Regions
MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR 2010 – 2011 FOR SPECIES OF GROUNDFISH OTHER THAN COD IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
(Redfish, Winter Flounder, Yellowtail Flounder, American Plaice, Witch Flounder, Atlantic Halibut)
Moncton, Québec City, Dartmouth, Corner Brook – May 28, 2010 - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announced the management measures of certain species of groundfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for 2010-2011. This Notice is further to the May 27 Notice to Fish Harvesters in which the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for groundfish, other than cod, were announced for 2010.
Attached is a summary table of the Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) outlining the main management measures for these fisheries.
In addition to the management measures outlined in the table, a change this year will apply to most groundfish fisheries in the Gulf. As was indicated in the Notice to Fish Harvesters on May 27, the minimum legal size for Atlantic Halibut is increased from 81 cm to 85 cm. This conservation measure requires that all Atlantic Halibut catches less than 85 cm, whether directed or caught as bycatch in other groundfish fisheries, must be released as specified in conditions of licence. Sharing arrangements for this fishery, including transfers, will remain as last year.
As in 2009, the Minister maintains her decision to not authorize a re-entry of the mobile gear fleet in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Greenland Halibut fishery.
Copies of the Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) which include detailed and specific measures for each species of groundfish are available from DFO offices. These measures, combined with responsible fishing practices, should ensure that the conservation goals are met. However, if the fishery is not conducted in an orderly manner, the Department may implement additional management measures or controls in these fisheries.
Licensed fishers who want to participate in fishing activities for species listed in the table must obtain new conditions of licence from their local DFO Licensing Service Centre. For fisheries that are already ongoing, new conditions of licence will be available starting on June 4, 2010.
For more information please contact:
| Luc Légère Senior Advisor, Groundfish Fisheries and Oceans Canada Moncton, NB (506) 851-2382 |
Dario Lemelin Senior Advisor, Groundfish Fisheries and Oceans Canada Québec, QC (418) 648-4946 |
| Donald Ball Area Chief, Resource Management Fisheries and Oceans Canada Corner Brook, NL (709) 637-4310 |
Verna Docherty Senior Advisor, Groundfish Fisheries and Oceans Canada Dartmouth, NS (902) 426-4669 |
ANNEX I
| Species | Test Fishery prior to opening | By - catch of cod (1) | Hail-out Prior to departure | Observer coverage (2) | DMP | Small Fish Protocol All species | Gear | Season & quota (details in CHP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish Unit 1 Index fishery MG |
No | 5% per trip | Yes | Details in CHP | 100% | Yes | 90mm | June 15 to Oct 31, 2010 2,000 t |
| Winter Flounder 4RST FG | 4RS - Yes 4T – Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch. |
4R - 20% per trip 4ST - 5% per trip |
No | 5% | 100% | Yes | Gillnet 4RS – 165mm 4S1 – 140mm 4T – 145mm |
May 15 to Dec 31, 2010 April 1 to May 14, 2011 1,000 t (mg & fg) |
| Winter Flounder 4T MG | 4T - Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch. | 10% in 4T2a, 4T3a 4T6, 4T7 and 4T8 | Yes | 10% in 4T2a, 4T3a, 4T6, 4T7 25% in 4T8 | 100% | Yes | 145mm sq. | Details in CHP 1,000 t (mg & fg) |
| Yellowtail Flounder 4T MG Magdalen Island directed fishery only |
No | 10% per trip | Yes | 10% in 4T2a | 100% | Yes | 140mm sq. | May 15 to Dec 31, 2010 April 1 to May 14, 2011 300 t |
| American Plaice 4T Witch Flounder 4RST MG | Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch | 4R - 10 % weekly 4ST - 20% per trip |
Yes | 25% | 100% | Yes | 4R 155mm square 4ST 155 mm square or diamond |
ITQ: May 15 to Dec 31, 2010 Competitive: Details in the CHP Am. Plaice: 500 t Witch Flounder: 1,000 t |
| Atlantic Halibut 4RST FG | No | 100 lbs or 30% per trip, whichever is greater | Yes | 10-30% Details in CHP |
100% | Yes | Longline 15.4mm hook |
Details in CHP 600 mt |
| Greenland Halibut 4RST FG | No | 4RST – 10% daily | Details in CHP | Details in CHP | 100% | Yes | 4RST: Gillnets 152 to 165 mm square mesh 4ST: Longline 12.6 mm hook |
Details in CHP 4,500 t |
1 - Groundfish Fishing will be permitted in fishing zones where fishers have demonstrated that Cod is under the specified limits on by-catch.
2 - Coverage could increase in problem areas.
NB: Refer to Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) for more details on the management measures
