Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – June 28, 2022 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is announcing the opening dates and management measures for the commercial scallop fishery in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 21, sub-area 21C, for 2022.
Fishing Seasons
In 2022, the fishery will be open from 4:00 a.m. on July 4th to 9:00 p.m. on July 29th . The fishery will only be authorized between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily, and will be closed from 9:00 p.m. on Friday to 4:00 a.m. the following Monday.
NEW in 2022
Discarding waste
In 2022, all commercial fisheries in Canada have a new condition of licence relating to the discharge of garbage from Canadian fishing vessels. The licence holder/operator is prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries waters from their vessel anything that may be harmful to fish or fish habitat. Refer to the Notice to Fish Harvesters sent on April 7, 2022 for further details: Commercial fishery requirements.
Fishing gear reporting system (or Lost Gear Reporting)
A new online system was launched in July 2021 to allow commercial harvesters to conveniently input lost and retrieved gear information from any smart electronic device. The system is able to capture information such as descriptions, cause of loss and location of the lost gear. Fish harvesters can create their account and begin reporting their data through the system at this website: Fishing Gear Reporting System.
Management measures in place
The following management measures will remain in effect for the 2022 fishing season. Further details are available in the scallop licence conditions.
Meat count: In sub-area 21C, a maximum of 39 meats per 500 g is required.
Logbook: Fish harvesters are required to maintain a record of their estimated catches in the Scallop Logbook (GLF VERSION 2020) prior to entering port. Logbooks must be returned to DFO no later than two weeks following the closure of the fishing season.
Drag size: Maximum cumulative width of 6.09 m (20 feet) (outside measurements).
Ring size: The authorized minimal ring size in the bucket construction is set at 82.6 mm (3¼ inches) with the exception of the first row of buckets where 76.2 mm (3 inches) rings maybe used.
Washers: A maximum of two steel washers may be used to join two bucket rings together. When rubber washers are used to join bucket rings, a maximum of one rubber washer may be used and in this case, in the vertical position only. The maximum outside diameter of rubber washers must not exceed 50.8 mm (2 inches). Rubber flappers are allowed when only steel washers are used to join bucket rings. With the exception of the authorized rubber washers and rubber flappers, no other type of chaffing gear can be used.
Offloading Requirements: All scallops must be shucked prior to entering port. No person shall land (off-load) any other part of the scallop except for the adductor muscle (no roe or other internal organs of the scallop may be retained).
Mandatory reporting of interactions between vessels or fishing gear and marine mammals: Any accidental contact between marine mammal and a vessel or fishing gear must be reported.
Reminder - Licence conditions
To obtain licence conditions for the 2022 season, licence holders are required to contact the DFO Licensing division by email at the following address : gulfinfogolfe@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by phone at the following number : 1-855-634-2355.