Ottawa, Moncton, Québec – July 11, 2024 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announces the opening of the Redfish fishery in Unit 1 (NAFO Divisions 4RST, 3Pn4Vn from January to March) for mobile gear groundfish licence holders of the mid-shore fleet (vessels from 19.81m to 30.48m), offshore fleet (vessels over 30.48m) as well as the Estuary and Gulf shrimp harvesters fleet based in the Gulf and Quebec regions.
The fishery will open on July 15, 2024, at 00:01 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Current area closures in Division 4T remain in effect. Directed redfish fishing is therefore prohibited in the areas bounded by the following coordinates:
| Point | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48° 36’ 44″ N | 62° 16’ 49″ W |
| 2 | 49° 07’ 42″ N | 63° 47’ 19″ W |
| 3 | 48° 58’ 22″ N | 64° 12’ 48″ W |
| 4 | 48° 51’ 38″ N | 63° 51’ 20″ W |
| 5 | 48° 22’ 10″ N | 62° 55’ 02″ W |
| 6 | 48° 16’ 28″ N | 62° 16’ 49″ W |
| 7 | 48° 36’ 44″ N | 62° 16’ 49″ W |
| Point | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49° 12’ 50.40″ N | 65° 00’ 00.00″ W |
| 2 | 49° 25’ 01.20″ N | 65° 00’ 00.00″ W |
| 3 | 49° 25’ 00.22″ N | 64° 39’ 57.64″ W |
| 4 | 49° 07’ 42.00″ N | 63° 47’ 19.00″ W |
| 5 | 48° 58’ 22.00″ N | 64° 12’ 48.00″ W |
| 6 | 48° 54’ 35.03″ N | 64° 00’ 42.29″ W |
| 7 | 48° 45’ 23.17″ N | 64° 10’ 05.59″ W |
Redfish fishing, including pelagic trawling, is also prohibited in the eleven coral and sponge conservation zones in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The coordinates of these zones are detailed in the Conditions of licence.
It should be remembered that by-catch caps for 3Pn4RS cod, 4T white hake and 4TVn cod have been established to guide the management of the redfish fishery in Unit 1. Once a fleet/sub-fleet cap(s) has (have) been reached, the Department will assess whether it is possible to reallocate additional by-catch quotas. If not, the Unit 1 redfish fishery may be closed for the fleet/sub-fleet concerned for the remainder of the fishing season.
When fishing, all licence holders are required to complete a Daily Hail Report by noon (12 p.m. local time) and submit it by e-mail, in accordance with their Conditions of licence. All inshore licence holders (fleet less than 19.81 m) are required to complete an Electronic Logbook (Elog) using a DFO-approved client application for their respective region.
All management measures, including fleet/sub-fleet caps and restrictions, are detailed in the Unit 1 Redfish Conservation Harvesting Plans, approved July 10, 2024.
Conditions of licence
To obtain their Conditions of licence, fish harvesters must access the National Online Licensing System and apply at least three days before the start of their fishing activities. For National Online Licensing System assistance, please contact customer support by phone at 1 877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.