Approved: June 9, 2024
This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to all groundfish licence holders with mobile gear on vessels from 19.81 to 30.48 metres in length. This CHP pertains specifically to licence holders directing for redfish in Unit 1, defined as Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 4RST and 3Pn & 4Vn from January to May. This CHP applies during the period from May 15, 2024 to May 14, 2025.
When fishing in another NAFO division other than those noted above, the CHP for that division will apply. Directed fishing for any other groundfish stock will be subject to a separate CHP covering that stock. This CHP is subject to change following ministerial decisions or annual review.
This Unit 1 redfish CHP is separate from the Atlantic-wide groundfish CHP pertaining to all midshore licence holders for the 2024-25 season. However, the intention is for this CHP to be assimilated into the broader groundfish CHP in consultation with the midshore groundfish sector for future fishing seasons.
In the event of a discrepancy between this CHP and the licence conditions, the information found in the licence conditions will supersede this CHP as licences are legally binding.
The conservation measures applicable to this fleet for the Unit 1 Redfish fishery are as follows:
1. Fishing Season
To respect the spawning period, fishing activities will not begin before June 15, 2024 and the season will end March 31, 2025.
- NAFO Divisions 4RST will be open from June 15 to December 31.
- NAFO subdivision 3Pn and 4Vn will be open from January 1 to March 31.
The fishing season established above will be in effect for the duration of this CHP. It represents the maximum duration of fishing periods, subject to, among other things, Variation Orders and specific closed seasons. As such, openings may vary according to particular circumstances such as industry requests and TAC announcement while closing dates may be advanced according to factors such as the quota being reached or when risks of exceeding the quota is high. The precise periods will be confirmed through usual communications means, particularly Notices to Fish Harvesters or Variation Orders.
Also, it should be reminded that during the period in which fishing is authorized, it is the captain’s responsibility to be familiar with marine safety notices by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada, as well as the standards and the best practices in marine safety, and to take all measures to ensure safe fishing.
2. Fishing Area
The Unit 1 fishing area includes NAFO Divisions 4RST as well as sub-division 3Pn and 4Vn from January 1 to May 31.
Area and depth restrictions:
- In Divisions 4RST, fishing is authorized in the area between 59º and 65º W longitude from June 15 to December 31.
- In sub-divisions 3Pn and 4Vn, fishing is authorized between January 1 and March 31.
- From June 15 to October 31, fishing activities must be carried out at depths greater than 300m (164 fathoms).
- From November 1 to March 31, fishing activities must be carried out at depths greater than 183m (100 fathoms).
3. Fishing Gear
From June 15 to October 31, fishing is authorized with all otter trawl gear types (including bottom trawl, semi-pelagic trawl and midwater trawl), where the mesh size of the cod-end and lengthening piece are a minimum of 90mm.
From November 1 to March 31, fishing is authorized only with midwater trawl, where the mesh size of the cod-end and lengthening piece are a minimum of 90mm.
4. Quotas and Management Regime
The midshore fleet allocation for 2024-25 is 3,146 tonnes (t). This amount will be shared as follows:
| Sub-fleet | Share (in percentages) | Amount (t) |
|---|---|---|
| Crab vessels | 4.5 | 141.3 |
| Shrimp vessels (4ST) | 39.2 | 1,231.7 |
| Groundfish enterprise allocation vessels | 56.4 | 1,773.1 |
| Total fleet allocation | 100.0 | 3,146.1 |
A licence holder participating in the Unit 1 redfish fishery can only fish under one allocation at a time.
The shares for crab and shrimp vessels will be managed as a competitive fishery.
The share for groundfish enterprise allocation vessels will be managed through the existing enterprise allocations.
5. By-catch Limits
For the purposes of this CHP, the following definitions apply:
“Directed fishery” means the harvesting of permitted species, or combination of species, that the licence holder is licenced to fish, harvested by the licence holder at a time, in an area and by a means authorized under the licence.
“By-catch” means the incidental or unintentional capture of non-targeted species while fishing for directed species as authorized under the licence. This includes non-regulated species.
For the purpose of monitoring by-catch on a per trip basis, a trip is defined as starting from the time when the vessel leaves port and ending when it returns to port to offload its catch.
While directing for redfish in Unit 1, the following by-catch provisions will apply:
- Cod 4TVn: 1% per fishing trip
- Cod 3Pn4RS: 1% per fishing trip
- American plaice 4T: 1% per fishing trip
- White hake 4T: 1% per fishing trip
- Atlantic halibut 3Pn4RSTVn: 1% per fishing trip
- Greenland halibut 4RST: 1% per fishing trip
- Other species of groundfish: 5% per fishing trip
The Department will monitor bycatch trip limits through landings data and daily hails. If trip limit percentages are repeatedly exceeded, certain areas could be closed for fishing for an individual or sub-fleet.
Bycatch caps for 3Pn4RS cod, 4T White hake, 4TVn cod have been established to guide management of the Unit 1 redfish fishery. The bycatch caps applied to the redfish fishery by the sub-fleet are as follows:
| Sub-fleet | 4RS3Pn Cod (kg) | 4T White hake (kg) | 4TVn Cod (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp and crab vessels* | 461 | 415 | 346 |
| Gestions Madelipêche** | 209 | 188 | 157 |
| Other groundfish EA vessels | 386 | 348 | 290 |
* Shrimp and crab sub-fleet representatives requested that their bycatch caps be combined.
** Gestions Madelipêche has requested that their bycatch caps be calculated separately from other groundfish EA vessels.
Bycatch caps will be monitored at the level of the sub-fleet. Once a cap is reached, the Department will assess, in consultation with potentially affected fleets, whether additional bycatch allowance can be re-allocated. If not, the Unit 1 redfish fishery may be closed for the sub-fleet for the remainder of the fishing season.
By-catches of other species/stocks will be counted against existing fleet allocations, enterprise allocations, or individual quotas for the midshore mobile gear fleet.
Groundfish species caught as by-catch may not be released or discarded unless explicitly authorized by Conditions of licence. The Department monitors the level of dumping and discarding of groundfish at sea. If an individual or a sub-fleet is suspected of unauthorized dumping or discarding groundfish at sea, the requirement for industry funded at-sea observer coverage may be increased. Additional regulatory options, including fisheries closures and legal proceedings, could also be applied.
6. Fishing closures
a. Coral and sponge Conservation Areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence
On December 15, 2017, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) created eleven coral and sponge conservation areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in order to protect areas with high concentrations of sponges and sea pens.
All directed redfish fishing activities, including midwater trawling, are prohibited in these conservation areas.
For more information and maps of the eleven coral and sponge conservation areas, please visit the dedicated DFO website: Coral and sponge conservation measures in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
b. Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area
On March 6, 2019, DFO created, jointly with the Quebec government, the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area (MPA) in order to ensure the conservation and protection of this marine ecosystem.
Provisions of the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations apply to licence holders. In order to comply with them, please refer to the clauses that apply to your fishing activities: Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations.
7. Other Closures
The area closure in Division 4T, as defined in the Notice to Fish Harvesters issued on August 11, 2009, is maintained. Directed fishing for redfish is thus prohibited in the sector delineated by the following coordinates:
- 48° 36’ 44″ N , 62° 16’ 49″ W
- 49° 07’ 42″ N , 63° 47’ 19″ W
- 48° 58’ 22″ N , 64° 12’ 48″ W
- 48° 51’ 38″ N , 63° 51’ 20″ W
- 48° 22’ 10″ N , 62° 55’ 02″ W
- 48° 16’ 28″ N , 62° 16’ 49″ W
- 48° 36’ 44″ N , 62° 16’ 49″ W
Since July 27, 2017, a new closure area in Division 4T is in effect. Directed fishing for redfish is thus prohibited in the sector delineated by the following coordinates:
- 49° 12’ 50.40″ N , 65° 00’ 00″ W
- 49° 25’ 01.20″ N , 65° 00’ 00″ W
- 49° 25’ 00.22″ N , 64° 39’ 57.64″ W
- 49° 07’ 42.00″ N , 63° 47’ 19.00″ W
- 48° 58’ 22.00″ N , 64° 12’ 48.00″ W
- 48° 54’ 35.03″ N , 64° 00’ 42.29″ W
- 48° 45’ 23.17″ N , 64° 10’ 05.59″ W
8. Small Fish Protocol
The small fish protocol indicates that an area may be closed when the numbers of undersized fish, as indicated below, reaches or exceeds 15%.
- Cod: 43 cm
- American Plaice: 30 cm
- Witch Flounder: 30 cm
- White Hake: 45 cm
- Winter Flounder: 25 cm
- Yellowtail Flounder: 25 cm
- Atlantic Halibut: 85 cm
- Greenland Halibut: 44 cm
- Redfish: 22 cm
In divisions 4RST and 3Pn, all specimens of Atlantic halibut less than 85 cm must be returned to the water immediately. In 4Vn, all Atlantic halibut less than 81 cm must be returned to the water. In all cases, if the fish is still alive, handled in a manner that causes it the least harm.
Areas will be closed for specified fleet sectors when the number of undersized fish reaches or exceeds 15% of the catch of any of the above species.
9. Catch Monitoring and Test Fishing
Closures due to excessive catches of small fish or exceeding by-catch limits are for a minimum of 10 days. The cost of test fishing is assumed by the industry.
If a fishery is closed, it will not be reopened until DFO is satisfied that it can be effectively monitored and controlled.
If a fishery is closed twice in the same season due to exceeding by-catch limits or excessive catches of small fish, it may remain closed for the remainder of the season.
10. At-sea Observer Coverage
From June 15 to October 31, the industry-funded At-Sea Observer Program applies at a minimum coverage of 25% of the fishing trips.
From November 1 to March 31 the industry-funded At-Sea Observer Program applies at a minimum coverage of 100% of the fishing trips.
The at-sea observer coverage is maintained at this level to increase the monitoring of bycatch and discarding at sea.
11. Dockside Monitoring
Dockside monitoring program (DMP) at 100% of the landings is mandatory.
12. Hail Prior to Departure
Hail prior to departure is mandatory for all fleets.
Licence holders must contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada hail out system by telephone at least 12 hours prior to the departure time of each fishing trip at:
- Quebec and Gulf regions: 1-833-699-2013 or 1-506-431-3223 (satellite)
- Maritimes region: 1-866-665-4451 (English) or 1-866-665-4452 (French)
- Newfoundland region: 1-877-637-4315 or submitted by e-mail to DFO.Hails65-rapport65.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
13. Catch and Effort Data Declaration
a. Report at sea (daily catch report)
When at sea, all licence holders are required to complete a daily catch report no later than noon (12p.m. local time) by completing and submitting by e-mail the form available online at the following address: Schedule II: DFO approved format.
b. Logbooks & combined forms
Logbooks are mandatory for all licence holders in the midshore fleet. The fishing logbook must be completed after each set, at each change in sub-division, and at least once a day, before returning to port.
Licence holders in the midshore fleet (19,81m to 30,48m) must obtain their Combined Forms booklet from the DFO prequalified suppliers, listed at Prequalified Logbook Suppliers.
The Logbook section must be completed before arrival at port and the completed form must be sent to DFO after each fishing trip.
14. Vessel Monitoring System
The use of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) approved by DFO is mandatory. Each licence holder/fishing vessel operator must register his DFO-approved VMS unit prior to the beginning of his fishing activities. Data transmission every 15 minutes is required.
The current list of DFO-approved VMS units and the procedure and form to register a VMS unit are available at the following address: National Vessel Monitoring Service.
15. Waste disposal
The licence holder/operator is prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries waters from their vessel any item that may be harmful to fish or fish habitat including but not limited to plastics, ropes, fishing gear, garbage bags, fuel, oil, rags, glass, bottles, metal, extruded polystyrene foam (e.g. Styrofoam) and tires.
16. Quota Reconciliation
Quota reconciliation provides that any overharvest of a quota in one year, on an Individual Quota or EA regime or in a competitive fishery, are counted against the quota established for the following fishing season. For example, quota overruns by a licence holder or by a fleet during a fishing management year will be deducted from quotas for the following season on a one-for-one basis.
In the month following the end of the fishing season, the Department makes any necessary changes to quotas for the current year based on quota overruns, if applicable.
17. Species at Risk Act
Pursuant to the Species at Risk Act (SARA), no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual or any part or derivate of a wildlife species designated as extirpated, endangered or threatened.
At the time this Management Plan is promulgated, the Atlantic species targeted by these measures are the following ones: Spotted wolfish (threatened), Northern wolfish (threatened), Leatherback Turtle (endangered), the Striped Bass (St. Lawrence River population – “extirpated”) and exceptionally the White Shark (Atlantic population – endangered). New species could be added to the SARA within the year.
All by-catches of species identified above must be returned to the water and released in the exact capture location and, if the fish is still alive, with as little harm as possible. The information related to species at risk shall be collected for each fishing trip when such a species is caught. This information must be entered into the Species at Risk logbook and sent to fisheries and Oceans Canada immediately after the fishing trip.
18. Management Measures to Minimize the Risks of Interactions with the North Atlantic Right Whale
The Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) can be found at the following address: 2024 fishery management measures.