Antigonish, Nova Scotia (NS) – June 27, 2024 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) wishes to advise Gulf Nova Scotia (GNS) tuna licence holders that the tuna fishing season will open on July 1, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. (ADT). The fishery will remain open until the quota is harvested or until December 31, 2024, at 6:00 pm whichever comes first.
NEW in 2024
- Any of the unused 20 mackerel captured for bait may be retained and used for additional bluefin tuna fishing trips. All mackerel caught and retained for additional trips must remain onboard or attached to the vessel.
- The retention of incidentally caught Blue Shark is no longer permitted. Any shark species incidentally caught must be immediately released by cutting the line as close as possible to the hook and released back to the water.
- The maximum 60 minute fight time has been removed as a management measure in the Catch & Release fishery. The fight time is not a significant conservation concern as compared to fish treatment and recovery by swimming the tuna alongside the vessel. Tuna behavior and appearance during this recovery period will best determine the time of release alongside or behind the vessel using suitable methods to ensure minimal post release mortality.
Hail Out Requirements
When fishing in 4T
When fishing in 4T Licence holders/operators are required to call DFO's contracted Vessel Hail System "Answer 365" at 1-833-699-2013 or at 1-506-431-3223 (satellite phone only) at least three hours prior to the planned departure for any fishing trip.
When fishing in 4WD and Ex-Sector
- Commercial licence holders/operators are required to obtain a hail-out reference number from the DFO "Just Talk" hail-out system at 1-866-665-4451 or 1-866-665-4452 for French at least six hours prior to departure for any fishing trip.
- Communal commercial licence holders/ operators are required to obtain a hail-out reference number from the DFO “Just Talk” system call center at 1-902-426-0005 at least six hours prior to the departure for any fishing trip.
- Due to technical limitations of the Just Talk System, licence holders/operators must choose an At-Sea Observer company however no observer will be deployed.
Established Commercial Fishery
- There will be 182 tags available to the Established Commercial fishery. 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 182 tags available must be paid for by October 1, 2024.
- Tag(s) fees will be available for payment through fish harvesters’ National Online Licensing System (NOLS) account.
- Starting June 27, 2024, tags will available for pick up at the GNS 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 the 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 2024 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, 2024, 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.
2024 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
- The Department will continue to manage the 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, 2024 until December 31, 2024. Further details are outlined in the 2024 Conservation Harvesting Plan.
- Starting June 27, 2024, 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.
Charter Fisheries
Catch & Release Charter Fishery
- The GNS Catch and Release charter fishery season will be open from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
Catch & Retain Charter Fishery
- The GNS Catch and Retain charter fishery season will be open from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
- Eligible licence holders licensed 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.
Date Issued
Published