A PROPOSAL FOR

A

DEVELOPMENTAL CAPELIN FISHERY

IN THE

SOUTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE – 4T

TO

CAPELIN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 FROM

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION

March 31, 2010

New fisheries on forage species present new challenges to ensuring sustainability of fisheries and conservation of ecosystems. Not only must target species of the fisheries be conserved and by-catch controlled, but the fisheries must not threaten the conservation of other species which depend on the forage species for food.

            In 2009 a proposal for limited access to a 4-T capelin fishery was developed with the PEI Fishermen’s Association, the Maritime Fishermen’s Union and the Gulf NS Herring Federation. The proposal provided a preliminary framework to ensure that fisheries on forage species are conducted in ways that are compatible with conservation of the ecosystem and that their sustainability is evaluated in that larger context for the 4-T region. The PEIFA continues to endorse these principles.

            Within the Southern Gulf, industry has witnessed a high concentration of capelin for the past four years and is seeking to explore a limited capelin fishery for our region. This would be in conjunction with Science to ensure a viable developmental fishery occurs and to meet the desired requirements of Science’s protocol, this avoiding needless destruction to an escalating foraging species.

DEVELOPMENT:

            Following is a synopsis in which the PEIFA suggests inshore groups in the three Maritime Provinces will expand upon for further development of a Capelin Management Plan for the 4-T area.

            Consistent with the existing management plan for capelin, the opening season will be based upon industry stock assessment for that specific area and will be determined independently for each quota management area; traditionally capelin is harvested from June to July. We suggest an initial quota allocation for Area 4-T of up to 2,000 metric tonnes to be divided equally between the inshore organizations of the three provinces.

·        In keeping with the precautionary approach being adopted by Fisheries and Oceans, seines (either midshore or inshore) will not be used. Alternate fishing gear practices will be employed during the developmental fishery consistent with the specified area.

·        Dockside monitoring will verify the accuracy of landings on a daily basis.

·        A daily catch limit for this fixed gear sector will be established.

·        The number of eligible participants for each province will be decided among the three industry groups employing a fair, transparent eligibility process.

·        The participants will supply an adequate number of fish samples to Science for examination and the keeping of consistent data on the fishery in the 4-T area.

For further information please contact the PEI Fishermen’s Association at (902) 566-4050 or at managerpeifa@pei.eastlink.ca.