Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – July 3, 2024 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada is announcing the fisheries management measures for the Eastern New Brunswick fixed-gear licence holders fishing Atlantic halibut in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 4T.
The opening for this fishery is scheduled to take place on July 10, 2024 from 5:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. the same day. This period may be modified due to inclement weather or other uncontrollable circumstances. If conditions do not allow for a July 10, 2024 opening, industry will be consulted before a new date is announced.
The maximum number of hooks per licence holder is 200.
The Atlantic halibut allocation for the Eastern New Brunswick fixed gear fleet will be 145.774 metric tonnes (t) for 2024. This consists of an initial allocation of 135.124 t, plus the 10.650 t uncaught allocation of 2023. Any overrun of the 2024 allocation will be taken on a one-to-one basis from the 2025 allocation of Atlantic halibut assigned to this fleet.
For the proper management of the offloading of catches, dockside monitoring will only be offered at the following landing ports:
- Pointe-Verte
- Petit-Rocher
- Stonehaven
- Caraquet
- Miscou
- Ste-Marie/St-Raphaël
- Petit-Shippagan
- Pigeon Hill
- Shippagan
- Le Goulet
- Val-Comeau
- Tabusintac
- Neguac
- Escuminac
- Cap-Lumière
- Pointe-Sapin
These designated landing ports will be included in the conditions of licence.
Licence conditions will be available shortly in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).
4T5 / 4T7: The department has authorized halibut fishing in areas 4T5 and 4T7 for the 2024 season
NEW in 2024
Bycatch of Gulf of St. Lawrence Groundfish Stocks subject to rebuilding plans
In accordance with the rebuilding plans for four groundfish stocks in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO 4T and 4TVn), the 2024-2025 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 4T winter flounder, 4TVn Atlantic Cod, 4T American plaice and 4T white hake are established as follows:
| Species | TAC | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Flounder (4T) | 150 t | Until May 14, 2025 |
| Atlantic Cod (4Tvn) | 247.8 t (100 t for bycatch) | Until May 14, 2025 |
| American Plaice (4T) | 100 t | Until May 14, 2025 |
| White hake (4T) | 30 t | Until May 14, 2025 |