Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – July 11, 2023 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), is announcing the Gulf New Brunswick (GNB) Bluefin tuna fleet Conservation and Harvesting Plan (CHP) for the 2023 fishing season. Details of the fishing plan are enclosed in the CHP: 2023 - Gulf New Brunswick Bluefin Tuna Fleet Conservation and Harvesting Plan.
The total interim available Bluefin tuna allocation for 2023 is 41.601 metric tons (mt). This consists of the initial 2023 Bluefin tuna allocation for the GNB fleet of 38.651 mt, to which is added the uncaught quota of 2022 of 2.950 mt. The Mexican quota will be announced when available and will be added to the Fleet allocation. The list of individual allocations can be found in Annex 1 of the CHP. The final allocation will be announced in a subsequent Notice to Fish Harvesters.
The opening date for the Bluefin tuna season in Gulf home waters (4RST and 4Wd) and in Ex-sector waters is July 14, 2023. The fishery will remain open until December 31, 2023 or until the quota is harvested, which ever comes first.
For the purpose of tag distribution in 2023, the average tuna weight in Gulf home waters (4RST and 4Wd) and Ex-sector waters will be 250 kg (500 lb).
Fleet to fleet temporary quota transfers will continue to be permitted in 2023, subject to the GNB fleet and DFO approval. Details are described in the CHP.
In order to receive licence conditions and tags, licence holders are required to contact the Department at 1-506-395-7705. At the time of registration, each licence holder will have to identify the vessel that will be used, the fishing area where they will fish, advise if they intend to fish in partnership and provide a telephone number to arrange for their tuna tag(s) payment. Tuna tag(s) will be sent to the licence holders by Canada Post – Xpresspost three days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday), and licence conditions will be available through the DFO online licensing system.
Catch and Retain Fishery - Since 2020, commercial licence holders conducting charter activities are authorized to use their initial individual allocation of tags to retain a Bluefin tuna with clients on board the vessel. Interested participants must contact the undersigned for additional information or to obtain a Tuna Catch and Retain Licence.
NEW in 2023
New telephone number for the hail out requirement
Fish harvesters from both Gulf and Quebec Regions will be required to dial a new telephone number when hailing out is required as a licence condition.
The new telephone number 1-833-699-2013 (toll free) or 1-506-431-3223 (satellite phone only) will need to be used for new hails, modified hails, and cancelled hails. This will direct fish harvesters to a call center, and replace the Vessel Hail Out System (Interactive Voice Recognition System - IVR) until further notice. Gulf Indigenous groups fishing in the Maritimes Region (Divisions 4VWX and 5, including 4Wd) must temporarily dial a new telephone number when making a hail-out call. The new number for the "Just Talk" system is 1-902-426-0005.
Mackerel Bait
For the 2023-24 season, all Atlantic Bluefin tuna licence holders are permitted to catch and retain 20 live mackerels per fishing trip for bait purposes. This will be reflected in conditions of licence.
Management measures in place for the 2023 fishing season
Temporary transfers of quota between licence holders: Temporary transfers of individual allocations between licence holders will be authorized in 2023. Details are described in the CHP.
Mid-season reallocation of quota: As for the past three years, a mid-season reallocation of quota will NOT take place in 2023. Fishermen will consequently have the entire season to catch their individual allocation. Landings will be closely monitored by DFO during the course of the season.
Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic right whales: The management measures to protect the right whales are available at the following Internet address: 2023 fishery management measures.
For all other applicable measures, please refer to the CHP.