Moncton and Quebec – February 23, 2023 – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is announcing today, for conservation reasons, the closure of the directed fishery for winter flounder and yellowtail flounder in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Divisions 4T of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization).
Winter flounder and yellowtail flounder stocks have been in the critical zone, as per the precautionary approach framework, since 2004 and 2009 respectively, and no signs of recovery have been observed in the most recent scientific assessments.
This measure, which is consistent with the Fisheries Act’s new Fish Stock Provisions, is intended to limit removals from the commercial fishery in order to promote the growth of these stocks.
The closure took effect on February 23, 2023, and will be maintained until further notice.