FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

nf.19.160

June 12, 2019

MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ATLANTIC HALIBUT IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announces the management plan for Atlantic halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 4RST.

A Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 1,492 t for Atlantic halibut 4RST is established for a one year period from May 15, 2019 until May 14, 2020.  A quota of 60 t has been identified under section 10 of the Fisheries Act to pay the costs associated with an annual scientific longline survey and tagging program.  This allocation will be taken off the top of the 2019-20 TAC.

The remaining quota (1,432 t) is distributed based on the sharing formula announced in 2016 following the review of the inshore fixed gear fleet shares.  The inshore fixed-gear fleet sector will receive a transfer of 92.5 % (355 t) of the mobile gear fleets' allocation, which is distributed equally between the eight inshore fixed-gear fleets involved in the directed Atlantic halibut fishery.

As a result, the 2019-2020 initial allocations per fleet (calculated before quota reconciliation or carry-forward of previously uncaught quota where applicable) are as follows:

 

Fleets                                                                   Allocations (t)

 

Eastern New Brunswick                                              96.08t

Gulf Nova Scotia                                                        64.54t

Gulf Prince Edward Island                                           59.04t

Western Newfoundland                                             364.23t

Quebec North Shore                                                 126.73t

Gaspésie                                                                 484.02t

Magdalen Islands                                                       98.78t

Scotia Fundy                                                             60.74t

Mobile Gear < 19.81 m                                              12.58t

Fixed Gear 19.81 m - 30.48 m                                   49.10t

Mobile Gear 19.81 m - 30.48 m                                   3.68t

Vessels > 30.48 m                                                    12.58t

Scientific survey                                                            60t

 

Total                                                                        1,492t

 

 

Contact:

Shelley Dwyer

Regional FAM Officer

Tel: (709)772-2080

Email: shelley.dwyer@dfo-mpo.gc.ca