Antigonish, Nova Scotia (NS) – July 3, 2024 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announces that the Atlantic halibut fishery will open for Gulf Nova Scotia (GNS) fixed-gear licence holders, using vessel class A69 in the portions of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 4T known as 4T1, 4T8, 4T2b and the southern portion of 4T2a enclosed by rhumb lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed below:
| Point | Latitude (North) | Longitude (West) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47º40'00'' | 60º35'02,1'' |
| 2 | 47º40'00' | 63°18'55,76" |
| 3 | 47°33'00" | 63°26'42" |
| 4 | 47°30'00" | 63°30'00" |
| 5 | 46°50'00" | 61°32'00" |
| 6 | 47°00'00" | 61°21'24" |
| 7 | 47º09'00'' | 61º10'00'' |
| 8 | 47º40'00'' | 60º35'02,1'' |
There were approximately 65 t of quota landed in the GNS Atlantic halibut Spring fishery, leaving approximately 28 t of quota remaining for the 2024 GNS Atlantic halibut summer fishery.
This fishery will take place from 05:00 hrs Tuesday, July 9, 2024 to 20:00 hrs Thursday, July 11, 2024. These opening dates may be modified due to weather conditions. Landings will be monitored, and the length of opening(s) and fishing areas may be modified due to quota remaining after each opening.
Replacement vessels or vessel transfers will only be authorized from another fisher whose homeport is in the GNS administrative area.
Should portions or all of 4T1, 4T8, 4T2a or 4T2b close due to the North Atlantic right whales (NARW) dynamic closure protocol, Atlantic halibut fishing for the vessel class A69 will be permitted but it will be mandatory to closely attend fishing gear as identified in the conditions of licence.
Fishers are reminded that during the period where fishing is authorized, it is the responsibility of the licence holder to take into account the marine safety notices issued, among others, by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada, as well as the standards and best practices in marine safety, and to take all measures to ensure a safe fishery.
2024 Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic right whales
The Management measures to minimize interactions with NARW can be found at the following address: 2024 fishery management measures.