September 6, 2017
2017 HALIBUT
LONGLINE SCIENCE SURVEY
NOTICE TO ALL PEI INDEPENDENT CORE GROUNDFISH FISHERS
The PEI Fishermen’s Association is seeking approximately 11 participants to assist in the anticipated approval of the 2017 4RST Halibut Longline Science Survey. Participants will be assisting in the collection of data on the abundance, distribution and biology of Atlantic halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence through a scientific longline survey and tagging program. PEI Independent Core fishers in possession of a valid groundfish license may apply to assist in one of the 11 specific stations proposed to be completed in September, 2017.
The PEIFA will be accepting registrations for interested Captains followed by a draw. Please see registration details below.
All names will be drawn, the first name will be called and given the choice of location based on the sampling stations set forth by DFO (see map below). The second name will then be called and given the choice of the remaining sampling stations, and so on until all sampling stations are covered. This project is funded through use of fish and each station comes with an allotment of 880 pounds of Atlantic Halibut. If all 880 pounds are not caught within the scientific station the fisher is permitted to go to a location of their choice after the scientific sampling is complete to catch the remainder of their allotment. An approved observer is required for all trips, scientific station as well as any trip to catch the remainder of the allotment. An advanced fee will be required from each participant selected in the draw and chooses to participate. Participants will have up to 3 days after selection to pay the fee before moving to the next fisher on the draw list.
Registration Dates/Times: 9AM-4:30PM SEPTEMBER 7TH, 8THAND 11TH, 2017
Location: Farm
Centre, 420 University Avenue, Charlottetown
Registration Fee: No fee for registration of the draw.
Observer coverage: 100%
How to Register: Fishers
can register in person, by phone or send a representative with written
permission authorizing registration on the fishers’ behalf.
Required Information: Captain’s
name, phone #, FIN #, Groundfish license #, vessel name, VRN#.
Draw Date: Monday, September
11th, 2017,after the completion of the
Registration.
Sampling Protocol/Fisher Requirements:
Each fisher selected is required to complete one scientific station according to the protocol.
1.) Fishing:
a.
This includes 500 circular hooks (15.4 mm)
spaced ______ fathom apart
b.
Set within 1.5 nautical miles of the
station coordinates
c.
Fishing must be carried out during the day
d.
Immersion time (soak time) will be between
4-6 hours (ALTERNATE OPTION: Set 1000 hooks, 500 of which are immersed for 4-6
hours and 500 hooks are immersed for 2 hours)
e.
Bait: herring (ALTERNATE OPTION: cycling
between herring and mackerel as a side project to determine effectiveness of
bait for halibut)
f.
Condition
of each hook will be noted on the catch sheet (hook with bait, hook without
bait or capture)
g.
When a fish comes on board the observer
records length at the fork (to the nearest centimeter) of all captured fish
h.
All capture halibut in good condition on
the first 200 hooks must be tagged and returned to the water
i.
Atlantic
halibut caught on the remaining 300 hooks may be retained or returned to water
j.
When
retained the sex of the fish must be recorded (male, female, immature, unknown)
k.
Note in comments any predation as well as
any other important information
l. Survey stations need to be completed in the month of September, 2017. When the station duties are completed, there may be additional time granted to obtain the allocated amount of halibut (up to 880 pounds). After completion of station duties, the Captain may fish for the remainder of the allocated halibut in areas outside the station in locations of the Captain’s choosing.
.) 2)
Other responsibilities
a.
The Captain will be responsible to cover
much of the cost of station completion. The Captain will pay an advance fee of
$1,300.00 to the PEIFA which covers the cost of observer technician coverage,
admin and tagging/project costs. The advance must be paid within 3 days of Captain selection.
b.
The Captain is expected to cover the costs
of the following (but not limited to); crew, vessel, fuel, bait, dockside
monitoring fees, etc. Captain will
supply the longlines and hooks as per protocol.
c.
The Captain is required to assist the
observer in data collection and halibut tagging when possible.
d.
The Captain agrees that he
shall maintain third party liability insurance on his vessel (in the amount of
$1,000,000.00 per occurrence on his vessel).
e.
The Captain will be required
to sign a contract with the PEIFA agreeing to the DFO protocol, advanced fee
and insurance requirements.
f.
A T4A will be issued upon completion of the project thus the PEIFA will
require the Captain’s Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Please note that the Department of Fisheries & Oceans along with various Industry groups are in the process of finalizing the details and overall confirmation of this project. As such, protocol and other details could be subject to change.
For more information, please contact the PEIFA Office at (902) 566-4050.
A copy of the map of the 2017 longline stations is as follows: PEI Map
Telephone: (902) 566-4050
Fax: 902-368-3748
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