FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

nf.20.108

May 26, 2020

2020-21 INTERIM TAC FOR ATLANTIC HALIBUT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR GREENLAND HALIBUT AND OTHER GROUNDFISH STOCKS IN THE GULF OF ST.LAWRENCE

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announces an interim Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the Atlantic halibut fishery and the management plan for Greenland halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 4RST, and provides a reminder of previous TAC decisions for other Groundfish species.

Atlantic halibut 4RST

An interim TAC of 1,000 t for Atlantic halibut will be authorized and allocated to only the inshore and mid-shore fixed gear fleets according to their current shares. Once a decision on the 2020-21 TAC is confirmed for this fishery, final allocations will be provided.

4RST Greenland halibut

A TAC of 2,250 t will be set for the stock for a one year period from May 15, 2020 to May 14,2021, representing a 33 per cent reduction from the previous year.

Other Groundfish

TAC levels for other Groundfish stocks listed below will be maintained for the time period indicated in the below table.

Species Annual TAC Time period

American Plaice (4T) 250 t Closed

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

3Pn4RS Cod 1000 t Until May 14, 2021

4TVn Cod, 4T American Plaice and 4T White Hake

The 4TVn Cod, the 4T American plaice and the 4T White Hake directed fisheries remain closed until further notice. The maximum allowable by-catch for these species in other directed groundfish fisheries will be limited as per Conservation Harvesting Plans. The existing TAC will be allocated as by-catch only.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Information for industry

Canadian fisheries and aquaculture sectors provide the world with sustainably-sourced, high quality, high value, fish and seafood.

Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is committed to supporting our fisheries and aquaculture industry during these difficult times. The Government of Canada is taking thenecessary steps to ensure that you can continue to operate safely and effectively and we will continue to keep you informed of the latest developments.

Visit our website to find out more: http://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/covid19/industry-industrie/index-eng.html

 

Contact:

Shelley Dwyer
Regional FAM Officer
Tel: (709)772-2080
Email: shelley.dwyer@dfo-mpo.gc.ca