FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

NOTICE TO FISHERS

nf.17.074NFB

May 10, 2017

MULTI-YEAR MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SOME GROUNDFISH SPECIES IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announces the multi-year management plan for some groundfish species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 3Pn, 4RST, and provides a reminder of previous total allowable catch (TAC) decisions for the groundfish species currently managed under a multi-year plan.

Species	Annual TAC	Time period
American plaice (4T)	250 t	Closed
Cod (3Pn,4RS)	3,185 t	Until May 14, 2019
Cod (4TVn)	300 t	Closed
White hake (4T)	30 t	Closed
Winter flounder (4T)	300 t	Until May 14, 2022
Witch flounder (4RST)	500 t	Until May 14, 2022
Yellowtail flounder (4T)	225 t	Until May 14, 2021

 

Total allowable catch for cod (3Pn,4RS), witch flounder (4RST) and winter flounder (4T)

A yearly TAC of 3,185 t for cod, will be established as of May 15, 2017 for a two year period for cod 3Pn,4RS representing an increase in keeping with the species’ rebuilding plan.

A yearly TAC of 500 t for witch flounder and 300 t for winter flounder will be established as of May 15, 2017 for a five year period.

The American plaice 4T directed fishery will be closed as of May 15, 2017. The maximum allowable by-catch of American plaice in other directed groundfish fisheries will now be 10% of the directed species. The existing TAC will be allocated as by-catch only.

 

Contact:

For information, contact:
David Coffin
Resource Management
Tel. (709) 772-2916
E-mail: david.coffin@dfo-mpo.gc.ca