Antigonish, Nova Scotia (NS) – June 29, 2023 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada wishes to advise Gulf Nova Scotia (GNS) tuna licence holders that the tuna fishing season will open on July 1, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. (ADT). The fishery will remain open until the quota is harvested or until December 31, 2023, whichever comes first.
Commercial Fishery
2023 Management measures
- There will be 192 tags available to the GNS fleet. Tags will be allocated using the GNS tuna licence holder revolving tag list. The revolving tag list will be resumed if additional tag allocations are available upon review of landings as the season progresses. The initial 192 tags available must be paid for by October 1, 2023.
- Tag(s) fees will be available for payment through fish harvesters’ National Online Licensing System (NOLS) account.
- Starting June 30, 2023, tags will available for pick up at the Gulf Nova Scotia Area Office, Antigonish, NS, Monday to Friday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
- Tuna tags must be paid for online through fish harvesters NOLS account prior to pick up. Once tuna tags are paid for, the payment receipt is sent to their e-mail address. We recommend fish harvesters check for receipt to be sure the transaction was completed successfully.
- Allow 48 hours after payment is made before pick up to ensure that tags have been processed.
- If licence holders prefer to have tuna tags sent directly to them they are to advise DFO at following e-mail address: DFO.GNS-GNE.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Arrangements and expense for this method of tuna tag delivery will be incurred by the licence holder.
- Tag transfers are permitted during the 2023 season. Tuna tag transfers will continue to be initiated and processed through NOLS. Tuna tag transfers will not be done in person at the GNS Area Office in Antigonish, NS. Until September 30, licence holders may receive or transfer a maximum of four tags. Until this date, a tuna licence holder can only do one of the following, not both:
- transfer tag(s) to another licence holder, OR
- receive tag(s) in a transfer.
- Starting on October 1, 2023, there is no limitation on the number of tuna tags a licence holder may receive or transfer during the season and a tuna licence holder can do both of the following:
- transfer tag(s) to another fisherman;
- receive tag(s) in a transfer.
- Dart tags are available from Gulf Nova Scotia Tuna Association executives. Dart tags shall be recorded in the Record of Tags along with DFO issued tags prior to any fishing activity.
- The catch limitation is two fish per calendar day per licence.
- All other management measures are similar to 2022, including the use of mackerel for bait and Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS) (cameras) in both the commercial and the charter fisheries.
2023 Mexican Quota
Only Gulf Nova Scotia Tuna Association members will be permitted in the draw for Mexican quota tags. Please contact association representatives for more details.
Individual Shares (IS) Tuna Pilot Project
- DFO will continue to manage a Bluefin tuna Individual Shares (IS) pilot project that will run concurrently with the already established GNS Bluefin tuna management system. This is a voluntary pilot for GNS Bluefin tuna licence holders who are interested in participating. GNS licence holders who participate in the pilot project will receive an annual initial quota equal to their percentage share of the overall GNS Fleet initial quota.
- The fishery will be open July 1, 2023 until December 31, 2023. Further details are outlined in the 2023 Conservation Harvesting Plan.
Charter Fisheries
Catch & Release Charter Fishery
- The GNS Catch and Release charter fishery season will be open from July 15, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
- The Catch & Release management measures remain unchanged from the 2022 season and are reflective of the National Guidelines for the Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Fishery.
Catch & Retain Charter Fishery
- The GNS Catch and Retain charter fishery season will be open from July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
- Those licence holders eligible and licenced to charter clients in the Bluefin tuna fishery will be permitted to catch and retain tuna using their initial commercial tag (s) in the fishery. Any tags that are transferred between licence holders are not authorized to be used in the Catch & Retain fishery. There will be 100% Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) coverage and fishers are required to contact their local Conservation & Protection office at least 72 hours prior to departure to ensure installation of a camera.
NEW in 2023
Hail Out Requirement
Commencing in 2023 fishing season, fish harvesters will be required to dial a new telephone number when hailing out. 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 centre and replace the Vessel Hail Out System (Interactive Voice Recognition System – IVR) until further notice.
Date Issued
Published