August 8, 2019
The PEI Fishermen’s Association is seeking approximately 12 participants to assist in the anticipated approval of the 2019 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 12 specific stations proposed to be completed between August 15 and September 30, 2019.
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 draft 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 1058 pounds of Atlantic Halibut. The fisher is permitted to go to a location of their choice after the scientific sampling is complete to catch their 1058 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%). A 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 Monday, Aug. 12th& Tuesday, Aug. 13th, 2019
And 9AM – 12:00PM Wednesday Aug. 14th, 2019
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. Arrangements can also be made with the buyers/coops with proper authorization.
NEW OPTION IN 2019: FISHERS CAN REGISTER ONLINE BY CLICKING ON THE LINK AT www.peifa.org
Online registration opens Friday August 9that 4:30pm and will remain open until 12:00pm on August 14th.
Required Information: Captain’s name, phone #, FIN #, Groundfish license #, vessel name, VRN# are required. Vessels must be transferred into the participants names and vessel registration fees must be paid before DFO can issue a licence.
Draw Date: August 14th, 2019,afterthe completion of the Registration.
Sampling Protocol/Fisher Requirements:
Each fisher selected is required to complete one scientific station according to the protocol.
Fishing:
a. 500 circular hooks size # 14/0 (15.4 mm);
b. Longline is set starting 0.5 nautical miles from the station and continuing in a straight line passing through the station coordinates.
c. Fishing must be carried out during the day (4:30am – 9:30pm)
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: Frozen herring or mackerel (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 Halibut, cod or redfish comes on board the observer records length at the fork (to the nearest centimeter) of all captured fish and then they are returned to the water.
h. All capture halibut in good condition at the sampling station must be tagged and returned to the water
i. When retained the sex of the fish must be recorded (male, female, immature, unknown)
j. Note in comments any predation as well as any other important information
k. Survey stations need to be completed between August 15 and September 30, 2019. When the station duties are completed, there may be additional time granted to obtain the allocated amount of halibut (up to 1058 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.
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 $600.00 to the PEIFA which assists in covering the cost of observer coverage, admin and tagging/project costs. 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)
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, sampling stations and other details could be subject to change.
For more information, please contact the PEIFA Office at (902) 566-4050 ext. 3.
Telephone: (902) 566-4050
Fax: 902-368-3748
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