Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

2018 HALIBUT LONGLINE SCIENCE SURVEY

NOTICE TO ALL PEI INDEPENDENT CORE GROUNDFISH FISHERS

The PEI Fishermen’s Association is seeking approximately 10 participants to assist in the anticipated approval of the 2018 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 10 specific stations proposed to be completed in September, 2018.

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. The fisher is permitted to go to a location of their choice after the scientific sampling is complete to catch the remainder of their 880 lbs allotment. An approved observer is required for all scientific trips. Any trip to catch the remainder of the allotment will require regular commercial observer coverage (10%). 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 Weds, Sept. 5^th& Thursday, Sept. 6^th, 2018

And 9AM – 12:00PM Friday Sept. 7^th, 2018

Location: Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue, Charlottetown

Registration Fee: No fee for registration of the draw.

Observer coverage: 100% on scientific stations, 10% on remaining trips

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# and vessels must be transferred into the participants names and they must have paid all vessel registration fees before DFO can issue a licence.

Draw Date: September 7^th, 2018, after the completion of the Registration.

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.

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 (this specific information will follow with the updated protocol)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 400 hooks must be tagged and returned to the water

i. Atlantic halibut caught on the remaining 100 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, 2018. 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 the advance fee of $300.00 to the PEIFA which covers the cost of observer coverage, admin and tagging/project costs (also subject to change based on observer coverage quotes). This advanced fee will need to 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)

For more information, please contact the PEIFA Office at (902) 566-4050.