2020 SENTINEL REGISTRATION & DRAW

NOTICE TO ALL PEI INDEPENDENT CORE GROUNDFISH FISHERS

The PEI Fishermen’s Association will hold a Registration & Draw for fishers who wish to participate in the Fixed Gear Sentinel Groundfish Survey for 2020. PEI Independent Core fishers in possession of a valid groundfish license may apply to fish in one of the 5 specific sites proposed for 2020. Participating fishers must be able to demonstrate experience in the groundfish longline gear fishery. Fishers who participated in Sentinel Fishery any year from 1996 - 2019 inclusive, are not eligible to register.

Registration Dates/Times:Fee:  Wed, June 17th to 10AM, Monday, June 22nd 2020

Payment Method:  $50.00 including HST
How to Register:  payments by Credit card acceptable (Visa/Mastercard). Contact the PEIFA office if you require other methods to pay. Fishers are encouraged to register online or by phone. Fishers can register and pay online by clicking the link at www.peifa.org

Required Information:  name, phone #, FIN #, Groundfish license #, vessel name, VRN#, and requested sentinel site location.

The Draw will be held June 22nd after the completion of the Registration at 10AM.

The anticipated project timeline will begin July 6th to October 31st, 2020. The total number of days fishing will be eight (8). Fishing must begin in July and 2 trips per month required (July, August, September and October); this is in order to obtain consistent data throughout the season. The maximum number of days that you can fish in one week is two (2). A minimum of 1250 hooks (size 12 circle - 1 fathom apart) and maximum of 2500 hooks will be used (divided equally between two sites). All Atlantic Halibut must be returned to the water. At-Sea-Observers must be on the vessels whenever the gear is fished (fish onboard the vessels). Observers are not required during the setting of the gear provided that no fish are being brought aboard. Pre-existing sites set out by DFO must be used.

Other requirements new since 2019:

• For the sentinel trips only, each vessel MAY be required to activate a VMS (Blackbox)

  system if there is one already onboard or a GPS tracking system provided by the Observer

  and/or a camera provided by DFO.

• Dynamic Management Measures will apply so temporary closures due to North Atlantic

  Right Whale sightings will apply to Sentinel sites as well. Participating fishers will need to confirm with DFO before each trip that the sentinel sites they are about to fish are not closed and that they can proceed to fish. Additional management measures may be added to mitigate North Atlantic Right Whale interactions.

  For more details on survey requirements, payment information or registration, visit www.peifa.org or contact the PEIFA Office at (902) 566-4050.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW THE FULL REQUIREMENTS AND PROTOCOL:  http://peifa.org/members/docs/2020 SENTINEL GROUNDFISH SURVEY PROTOCOL AND REQUIREMENTS.pdf 

 http://peifa.org/members/docs/2020 Sentinel map[1].png