2025 - Modification of the coordinates of the area closed to redfish fishing using mobile gear in NAFO division 4T

Ottawa (ON), Moncton (NB) and Quebec (QC) – June 20 2025 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) wishes to inform fish harvesters of a modification to the coordinates of the area closure established on August 11, 2009, in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 4T intended to reduce bycatch by mobile gear fleets during directed redfish fishing activities, and to enable fleets to comply with conservation measures set out in the various Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP).

As such, directed redfish fishing is prohibited at all times in the area along the southern slope of the Laurentian Channel, enclosed by rhumb lines joining the following points in the order which they are listed below (see map in Annex 1):

1. 49° 07’ 42″ N 63° 47’ 19″ W
2. 48° 36’ 44″ N 62° 16’ 49″ W
3. 48° 16’ 28″ N 62° 16’ 49″ W
4. 48° 22’ 10″ N 62° 55’ 02″ W
5. 48° 32’ 45″ N 63° 15’ 23″ W
6. 48° 50’ 13,5″ N 64° 00’ 48,9″ W
7. 48° 58’ 22″ N 64° 12’ 48″ W
1. 49° 07’ 42″ N 63° 47’ 19″ W

Please note that the closed area applicable to all directed groundfish fisheries by mobile gear fleets remains in effect and unchanged. As such, directed groundfish fishing using mobile gear is prohibited at all times in the area enclosed by rhumb lines joining the following points in the order which they are listed below (see map in Annex 1):

8. 48° 56’ 46″ N 63° 15’ 23″ W
9. 48° 47’ 52″ N 62° 49’ 18″ W
10. 48° 21’ 15″ N 62° 49’ 18″ W
4. 48° 22’ 10″ N 62° 55’ 02″ W
5. 48° 32’ 45″ N 63° 15’ 23″ W
8. 48° 56’ 46″ N 63° 15’ 23″ W

The area along the south side of the Laurentian Channel in the northeast of the Gaspé Peninsula is recognized as a concentration zone for several groundfish stocks, some of which are in the critical zone of their precautionary approach. Maintaining this closure is intended in particular to limit bycatch of 4TVn cod, 4T white hake, and 4T American plaice, three stocks subject to rebuilding plans requiring that removals from all sources be kept at the lowest possible level.

Annex 1 - Areas Closed to Redfish and Groundfish Fishing Using Mobile Gear in NAFO Division 4T

Map of NAFO Division 4T showing two areas closed to fishing with mobile gear. A larger polygon in subdivisions 4T3a, 4T3b, and adjacent 4S4 waters identifies the directed redfish fishery closure, while a smaller polygon near subdivisions 4T3b, 4T2a4, and 4T2a5 identifies the directed groundfish fishery closure. Closure boundaries are marked by numbered coordinate points, with coordinates listed in the legend.roundfish fisheries using mobile gear are described below.

 

 

Points illustrated in Annex 1 - Closure of the directed redfish fishery with mobile gear
Points Latitude North Latitude West
1 49° 07’ 42″ N 63° 47’ 19″ W
2 48° 36’ 44″ N 62° 16’ 49″ W
3 48° 16’ 28″ N 62° 16’ 49″ W
4 48° 22’ 10″ N 62° 55’ 02″ W
5 48° 32’ 45″ N 63° 15’ 23″ W
6 48° 50’ 13,5″ N 64° 00’ 48,9″ W
7 48° 58’ 22″ N 64° 12’ 48″ W
1 49° 07’ 42″ N 63° 47’ 19″ W
Points illustrated in Annex 1 - Closure of the directed groundfish fishery with mobile gear
Points Latitude North Latitude West
8 48° 56’ 46″ N 63° 15’ 23″ W
9 48° 47’ 52″ N 62° 49’ 18″ W
10 48° 21’ 15″ N 62° 49’ 18″ W
4 48° 22’ 10″ N 62° 55’ 02″ W
5 48° 32’ 45″ N 63° 15’ 23″ W
8 48° 56’ 46″ N 63° 15’ 23″ W

 

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